Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken is one of my go to recipes when life’s busy but I still want something bold and satisfying on the table. The hands-off cooking make it perfect for weeknights or meal prep. I’ve made this for everything from taco night to loaded rice bowls, and it never disappoints. Just toss everything in the slow cooker, let it simmer low and slow, and come back to a kitchen that smells amazing.
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Why this Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Recipe is a Keeper
I love this slow cooker recipe because it’s a quick and easy, one pot method for making delicious chicken. This chipotle chicken in slow cooker recipe is perfect to add to an easy dinner recipe stash.
- Massive Flavor: The combination of chipotle peppers in adobo, chipotle powder, cumin, and honey creates a complex, irresistible blend of smoky, spicy, and sweet heat.
- Minimal Effort, Maximum Result (The Crock Pot Advantage): It requires less than 10 minutes of hands-on prep time, and the slow cooker does the rest, resulting in perfectly tender, flavorful, shreddable chicken.
- Incredibly Versatile Chicken: The final product is a protein that you can use in tacos, bowls, sandwiches, salads, and more (see Use Leftovers).
- Excellent for Meal Prep: It makes 6 servings and you can be easily double or triple, freezing beautifully for future weeknight dinners.
How Spicy is This Slow Cooked Chipotle Chicken?
If you’re particularly sensitive to spice, you may find this crockpot shredded chipotle chicken to be spicy. To make it more mild, swap out the chipotle peppers in adobe sauce for a milder pepper.
Fun Fact
Chipotle peppers are actually just smoked and dried jalapeños! The name “chipotle” comes from the Nahuatl word chīlpoctli, meaning “smoked chili.” This ancient preservation method not only extends shelf life but also gives chipotles their signature deep, smoky flavor that adds boldness to everything from salsas to marinades
Ingredient Notes for Chicken in Chipotles in Adobo
This super flavorful chipotle chicken is so easy and uses fresh ingredients that pack a punch of flavor.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Chicken: You will need 2 pounds of chicken breasts.
- Chipotle in Adobo Sauce: These chipotle chiles are what will bring a majority of the spice.
- Chicken Broth: Chicken stock or broth will cook your chicken. I prefer to use homemade broth for the most flavor.
Variations to Make Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken
This recipe is so easy to change up. I like to experiment with ingredients to make different varieties of flavorful chicken.
- Honey: Maple syrup, brown sugar, agave nectar. The sweetener is necessary to balance out the heat and the acidity of the tomato paste and the canned chipotles.
- Tomatoes: Tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes. The paste is a concentrate and provides a deep, rich flavor. If using sauce, omit a little broth.
- Chicken: Try using boneless skinless chicken thighs, pork shoulder (carnitas style), 2 pounds of white fish (cook only on low for 1-2 hours). Thighs are moister. If using pork, increase cook time to 6-8 hours on low.
- Flavors: Feel free to experiment with garlic powder, paprika, chile powder, lime juice, dried oregano or apple cider vinegar instead of just using chipotle powder.
Special Equipment Needed for Shredded Chicken
Sometimes a specific piece of equipment/item is needed to make a recipe just right. In this case, all that’s needed is a crock pot.
- Slow Cooker: Using a slow cooker will result in juicy shredded chicken. Be sure to let chicken cook for 5 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high.
How to Make this Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken
This chipotle chicken slow cooker recipe comes together in 2 easy steps. This chipotle shredded chicken is so good, it’s one of my favorites to make for the week.
The slow cooker gets a workout in my kitchen. Two of my favorites are my Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast and my Slow Cooker Orange Chicken.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Add Ingredients: Place the chipotle in adobo, honey, tomato paste and chicken broth in the crock pot. Whisk everything together. Stir in the diced onion, garlic, cumin, chipotle powder, salt and pepper.
- Cook and Shred Chicken: Add the chicken and cover with the sauce. Set crock pot to low and let cook for at least 4 hours. When chicken is done, remove, shred, and then add back to the slow cooker.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Slow Cooker Chicken
Since this recipe is already super easy, there are only a couple things you can do ahead of time when you make chicken.
- The Sauce Prep: Whisk together all the sauce ingredients (chipotle peppers, tomato paste, honey, broth, onion, garlic, and seasonings) in a sealed jar or container up to 3 days in advance.
- Full Assembly (Refrigerated): Assemble the sauce and chicken in the ceramic insert of your slow cooker. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
Alternate Cooking Methods for Chipotle Cooked Chicken
Make this recipe another way by using your instant pot or oven to speed up the cook time.
- Instant Pot: Mix all ingredients in the pot. Seal the lid and set to Manual/Pressure Cook for 12 minutes (frozen chicken: 15 minutes). Allow a 5-minute Natural Pressure Release before Venting. Shred with two forks and serve. Much faster, but the flavor won’t be quite as deep as the slow cook method.
- Oven (Dutch Oven): Mix all ingredients in a Dutch oven. Cover and bake at 325°F (160°C) for 2-3 hours until the chicken is fork-tender.
Store, Reheat and Use Leftover for Chicken Tacos
- Store: Store the shredded chicken and sauce in an airtight container. Refrigerate for 3-4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Heat individual servings in the microwave in 1-2 minutes.
- Stovetop: Transfer to a pot and heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally until heated through. If the chicken is dry, add a splash of chicken broth or water while reheating.
- Use Leftovers: Turn leftovers into burrito bowls. Serve with rice, beans, and top with fresh ingredients.
- Quesadillas: Layer the chicken and cheese between tortillas and pan-fry. Top with cilantro, avocado, thinly sliced red onions and sour cream.
- Nachos: Layer on tortilla chips with cheese and bake.
- Sandwiches: Serve on buns with a dollop of slaw for bright flavor.
Questions to Love This Slow Cooker Recipe
If you don’t have smoky chipotle peppers, you can use jalapenos.
Nope! If you want to sear the chicken before adding it to the pot, go ahead.
Tips for Slow Cooker Honey Chipotle Chicken
- Shredding Trick: The easiest way to shred chicken is to use a handheld electric mixer (beaters only). Place the cooked chicken in a bowl with a little of the sauce, and mix on low speed for 30-60 seconds. It will shred perfectly.
- Find Chipotle Peppers: They are typically in the Mexican/Hispanic section of your grocery store. “Chipotles in Adobo Sauce.” Make this recipe with the peppers and the sauce they are in.
- Keep it Moist: Always shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker with the sauce. This ensures the meat re-absorbs the flavorful liquid and doesn’t dry out.
- Serve With: Serve as Chicken Picadillo Taco Salad, Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas or Lime Cilantro Rice.
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Chipotle Slow Cooker Chicken
Equipment
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Ingredients
- ½ cup Chipotle peppers in adobo
- 4 ounces Tomato paste
- 2 Tablespoons Honey
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 1 Onion, diced
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Chipotle powder
- 2 pounds Chicken breasts
Instructions
- Place the chipotle peppers, tomato paste and honey in the crockpot.
- Pour in the chicken broth and whisk all ingredients together.
- Add in the diced onion and garlic, whisk together, then whisk in the seasoning.
- Add in the chicken breasts and then toss in the sauce to coat completely.
- Set the crockpot to low for 4-6 hours, or 2-3 hours on high.
- Shred the chicken, discarding of any bones, if necessary.
- Serve on tacos, buns or freeze for meal prep.
Christina’s Notes
- Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for extra moisture and flavor. They hold up better than breasts during long cooking.
- Layer Flavor Early: Sear the chicken briefly before adding to the slow cooker if you want deeper flavor and better texture.
- Don’t Skip the Chipotle Peppers in Adobo: They’re the key to smoky heat. Chop them finely or blend with sauce for even distribution.
- Add Lime Juice at the End: Bright acidity balances the smoky spice and wakes up the whole dish.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.