Easy to make and oh-so satisfying, this crockpot cilantro lime chicken is perfect for stuffing into warm tortillas! It’s elevated by the most flavorful homemade cilantro lime sauce and can be made with either chicken breasts or chicken thighs.

Top down view of crockpot cilantro lime chicken dinner in a black pot on a white background.

5 star review

“This recipe is worth it for the sauce alone! I may have been eating it with a spoon. Just take my word for it that you should double that. 🙂 Super good and versatile to have over rice, veggies, salad, in tacos! This will definitely be added to our rotation.”

– Hailey

About this Recipe

Wildly easy to make with ultra satisfying results, this crockpot cilantro lime chicken is perfect for stuffing into warm tortillas or with rice and beans.

Since it makes tons of leftovers, this pulled chicken is the perfect thing to meal prep on busy weeks and use throughout the week in a variety of meals!

Yes, we love a quick and easy slow cooker recipe around here, and this one fits the bill as all you have to do it blend up the sauce and dump it in the slow cooker along with the chicken.

Love that!

Now, the secret to elevating plain chicken breasts into something special is to cook them low & slow in a delicious sauce.

And this cilantro lime sauce is one of my all-time favorites – it’s vibrant, tangy, herby, and packed with flavor.

But don’t let the mention of a homemade sauce stop you from making this recipe, it only takes a few ingredients and a few minutes to make.

This recipe is fantastic made with either chicken breasts or chicken thighs, so you can keep your options open and use whichever you’ve got on hand!

Top down view of a clear blender cup filled with fresh ingredients for a cilantro sauce, on a white background.

Process & Tips

This slow cooker chicken couldn’t be simpler to throw together and is easy enough for a weeknight!

Simply add your chicken and sauce, set the timer and let your crockpot do all the hard work for you.

Before you know it you’ll have a bunch of fork-tender shredded chicken tossed in the tastiest sauce ready to use all week long.

I love that the cilantro lime sauce is a cinch to make and is ready with just a quick whiz in the blender or food processor.

You can even make it up to 5 days in advance and store it covered in the fridge for even faster day-of prep.

Note: If you make the sauce ahead, it may lose some of its vibrant color, but don’t worry – it will still taste great! The sauce also freezes well, so make a double batch for next time you want to make this recipe.

Top down view of chicken breasts in a cilantro sauce, inside a black slow cooker.

Serving Suggestions

This shredded cilantro lime chicken is delicious as a simple filling for tacos – simply serve with warm corn or flour tortillas, plus any taco toppings you like (think sour cream, chopped onion, sliced jalapeno, and crumbled cotija cheese!).

If you’re not feeling tacos, the slow cooker cilantro lime chicken is also lovely served over cooked white or brown rice, or quinoa.

You could even serve it with some grilled or roasted veggies, or over a bed of cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.

Close up of shredded chicken in a green sauce in a black slow cooker.

Fun Variations to Try

Feel free to leave out the honey for a low-carb and Whole30 compatible version.

If you like a little more heat, feel free to add sliced jalapenos on top before serving or some red pepper flakes.

Bulk up this recipe by adding 1 cup fresh or frozen defrosted corn kernels and one can of drained and rinsed black beans.

Create your own loaded cilantro lime chicken burrito bowls by serving it with cooked rice, corn, black beans, shredded romaine, and pile it high with fun toppings like this easy 4-ingredient guacamole and fresh tomato salsa.

White bowl filled with cilantro lime chicken, topped with fresh herbs on a white background with a striped blue napkin.

Ingredients & Modifications

Chicken breasts: I used boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe, but chicken thighs would also work in their place. If you want to use frozen chicken, be sure to thaw it fully before adding to your slow cooker.

Cilantro: Since it’s the signature, star ingredient of the cilantro lime sauce, fresh cilantro works best for this recipe. Aside from the fresh & herby flavor, it adds a gorgeous vibrant green color that makes this simple sauce feel special enough to serve for any occasion. Note that since this sauce is blended it’s fine to use both the cilantro stems and leaves.

Garlic: I love the flavor of fresh garlic in this recipe, especially given that we’re using so few ingredients. But you could also use garlic powder in its place.

Avocado oil: I love the light flavor of the avocado oil in this recipe. But you can also use any other neutral flavored oil in its place like olive, vegetable or canola oil. 

Ground cumin: The earthy flavor of the ground cumin complements the other ingredients in this sauce so well. It’s one of my favorite & most versatile spices to keep on hand in my pantry!

Lime juice: The lime juice adds a bright, fresh and tangy flavor to this sauce and pairs so well with the cilantro. You could also use fresh lemon juice in its place.

Honey: This ingredient is entirely optional, but the natural sweetness of the honey can provide a nice balance to the other flavors in this recipe. For a whole30, low carb or low sugar version, simply omit the honey entirely.

Kosher salt: Look for kosher salt with the regular iodized salt at the grocery store (it has a subtler flavor). Use less iodized salt if that’s what you have on hand.

Three tacos on a white plate, on top of a white background with a striped blue napkin.

Tips for Storing & Freezing Leftovers

Cooked chicken will keep well in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, in a sealed container.

This recipe also freezes well, simply store in a sealed freezer friendly container for up to 2-3 months.

Top down view of crockpot cilantro lime chicken dinner in a black pot on a white background.
5 stars (11 ratings)

Easy Crockpot Cilantro Lime Chicken

Easy to make and oh-so satisfying, this crockpot cilantro lime chicken is perfect for stuffing into warm tortillas! It’s elevated by the most flavorful homemade cilantro lime sauce and can be made with either chicken breasts or chicken thighs.

Ingredients

  • cup Cilantro Lime Sauce, divided (ingredients below)
  • 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

For the Cilantro Lime Sauce

  • ¼ cup avocado oil, or other neutral flavored oil
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • cup fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 cups packed cilantro

Optional serving suggestions

  • Easy Guacamole
  • Warm tortillas, sour cream, chopped onion, sliced jalapeno

Instructions 

  • Add the oil, garlic, salt, cumin, lime juice, honey and cilantro to a blender or food processor. Blend on low until just combined.
  • Add the chicken to a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour over half the sauce, stirring to coat the chicken. Set the remaining sauce aside. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours, or low for 5-6, or until the chicken shreds easily with a fork. Do not uncover during this time.
  • Uncover and remove the chicken to a cutting board. Shred with a fork or chop into pieces.
  • Add the chicken back to the slow cooker along with the cooking juices and remaining sauce, stirring to combine. Taste and add additional lime juice or salt if desired. Serve with warm tortillas and any toppings you like.

Notes

Nutrition information calculated using chicken breasts, including the honey, but without the optional serving suggestions listed above. It includes a full cup of the cilantro lime sauce, so the numbers will vary depending on if you use the extra ⅓ cup of sauce or not.
For a whole30, low carb or low sugar version, simply omit the honey entirely.
For more ingredients & modifications, see the full recipe above.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 (of 6), Calories: 358kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 48g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Cholesterol: 145mg, Sodium: 454mg, Potassium: 897mg, Fiber: 0.3g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 439IU, Vitamin C: 9mg, Calcium: 23mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition disclaimer
Did you make this recipe?If you do, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see!

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