Chicken Carnitas: Easy Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Recipe!
A delicious and easy recipe for Chicken Carnitas that can be made in a slow cooker or Instant Pot, perfect for tacos, burritos, or bowls.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (slow cooker) or 15 minutes (Instant Pot)
- Total Time: 6-8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker or Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Juice of 1 lime
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs, olive oil, onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Place the mixture in the slow cooker or Instant Pot.
- Add the chicken broth and lime juice.
- If using a slow cooker, cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. If using an Instant Pot, seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes, then allow for natural release.
- Once cooked, shred the chicken with two forks and mix it with the juices.
- Serve in tacos, burritos, or bowls with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken overnight with the spices.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- This recipe can be easily doubled for larger gatherings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 120mg