Slow Cooker Garlic Chipotle Lime Chicken-
This super simple slow cooker garlic chipotle lime chicken is a very flavorful, paleo, low carb dish that can be tossed in the slow cooker in a snap. A set it and forget it crockpot dinner with Instant Pot Slow Cooker directions.
WATCH THE RECIPE VIDEO
Slow Cooker Garlic Chipotle Lime Chicken is a super easy to make, low carb and paleo dish.
Basically, you whip up the sauce and throw it over the chicken in the crockpot or Instant Pot, then set it and forget it until dinner.
This can be made milder to a little spicy depending on how much ground chipotle powder you use.
I made mine mild as my poor hubby can’t handle spicy food, but if I had my way I would crank up the spices all the way up.
Serve with some cauliflower rice for a favorite low carb meal!
This can also be easily made in the Instant Pot as well and I've added slow cooker Instant Pot directions below.
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Slow Cooker Garlic Chipotle Lime Chicken
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ lb chicken breasts or thighs, boneless skinless *can use frozen
Sauce Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup tomato sauce, no sugar added
- 2 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
- 2 to 3 garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp mild green chilies, canned
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- ⅓ cup fresh cilantro or flat-leaf Italian parsley
- 1 ½ tsp sweetener of choice: Swerve sweetener for low carb or coconut sugar for paleo
- ½ tsp to 1 tsp ground chipotle powder (mild to spicy)
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chicken broth *only for Instant Pot version
Slow Cooker Directions:
- In a food processor or blender, add all the sauce ingredients and pulse until smooth.
- In a slow cooker on high or low heat add chicken breasts or thighs.
- Pour the sauce over the top of chicken. Close the slow cooker lid and cook for 4 to 6 hours on high or 6 to 8 hours on low. Serve & enjoy.
Instant Pot Slow Cooker Directions:
- In a blender or food processor add tomato sauce, chicken broth, olive oil, garlic cloves, green chiles, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, cilantro, erythritol sweetener, chipotle powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Pulse until blended. Set aside.
- Spray the bottom of the inner pot of the Instant pot lightly with non-stick coconut oil spray. Add chicken thighs to the pot.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken. Close, lock the lid, and flip the steam release handle to the Venting position.
- Select Slow Cook on “More” setting and set the cook timer for 4 hours.
- When the cook time is complete, open the lid and transfer the chicken to a serving platter.
- Select Sauté (Normal) and let the sauce simmer in the pot until thickened, about 6-8 minutes. Pour over chicken & serve.
Nutritional Data for Low Carb Version: Yield: 6 servings, Amount Per Serving- Cal: 183, Carbs: 2 g, Net Carbs: 2 g, Fiber: 0 g, Fat: 9 g, Protein: 22 g, Sugars: 1 g.
*Nutritional data are estimates based on the products I used*
Printable Recipe Card Below:
Slow Cooker Garlic Chipotle Lime Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb chicken breasts or thighs boneless skinless *can use frozen
- Sauce Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup tomato sauce, no sugar added kind
- 2 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
- 2 cloves to 3 garlic
- 2 tbsp mild green chilies canned
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- ⅓ cup fresh cilantro or flat leaf Italian parsley
- 1 ½ tsp sweetener of choice: Swerve or coconut sugar
- ½ tsp to 1 tsp ground chipotle powder mild to spicy
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chicken broth *only use for Instant Pot version.
Instructions
Slow Cooker Directions
- In a food processor or blender, add all the sauce ingredients (except for the chicken broth) and pulse until smooth.
- In a slow cooker on high or low heat add chicken breasts or thighs.
- Pour the sauce over the top of chicken. Close slow cooker lid and cook for 4 to 6 hours on high or 6 to 8 hours on low. Serve & enjoy.
Instant Pot Directions:
- In a blender or food processor add tomato sauce, chicken broth, olive oil, garlic cloves, green chiles, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, cilantro, erythritol sweetener, chipotle powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Pulse until blended. Set aside.
- Spray the bottom of the inner pot of the Instant pot lightly with non-stick coconut oil spray. Add chicken thighs to the pot.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken. Close, lock the lid and flip the steam release handle to the Venting position.
- Select Slow Cook on “More” setting and set the cook timer for 4 hours.
- When the cook time is complete, open the lid and transfer the chicken to a serving platter.
- Select Sauté (Normal) and let the sauce simmer in the pot until thickened, about 6-8 minutes. Pour over chicken & Serve.
Video
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Notes
Nutrition
Recipes You May Also Enjoy:
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- Easy Baked Mexican Chicken
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- Chile Lime Cream Chicken
-
- Low Carb Slow Cooker Meals
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Sharon
You mention chicken broth but it's not in the ingredients? Also is tomato sauce, ketchup, puree, or tinned chopped toms?
Stacey
It is above the sauce ingredients:"1 ½ lb chicken breasts or thighs, boneless skinless *can use frozen"
Stacey
Tomato sauce is the puree and the chicken broth is 1/4 cup and only for the Instant Pot version.
Kelleen
Is that the correct cooking time for the IP? I purchased all of the ingredients and apparently I should had looked at the directions as we dinner done in the next 30 min. Titles a bit misleading as you’re not using your IP your just using your crock pot setting on your IP. Just a recommendation...
Stacey
The title only says "slow cooker" and only has added IP slow cooker instructions for people who don't own a slow cooker and use their IP as a crockpot. The recipe was slow cooker only for years then I had several requests from viewers who only own an IP and wanted slow cooker directions for their IP.
Kay
Ok, so I just tried this the other night and it was PHENOMENAL! The flavor is absolutely amazing and it’s pretty easy to make, coming from someone who can’t cook really at all! Thank you for this! It’s on our (very short) ‘Favorites’ list.
Stacey
Thank you so much, Kay, for trying the recipe and for your very kind words.
Kitty
This recipe looks amazing, and I give bonus points for being able to use my crock pot. I do have a question, though. How does 1 1/2 pounds of chicken make 6 servings? That would be a 4 ounce portion.
Stacey
It is 6 if you're using boneless skinless chicken thighs, but probably only 4 -5 servings if you're using the larger boneless skinless breast halves.
Melo
Still looking for IP recipe that was mentioned back in September.
Stacey
Melo, IP directions are now included. Sorry, it had some small adjustments I needed to rework for IP.
Jennifer
I doubled recipe but my end result looked NOTHING like your picture. Mine ended up very liquidity and not the rich color that yours was... what did I do wrong?!!! Think I may try it in the oven bc crockpot creates more water.
Stacey
I think doubling the recipe would make more liquid. You may need to not quite double the liquid ingredients.
Natalie
I haven’t seen any posts here for awhile...wondering if you ever purchased an IP and if so, recipe modification??? 🙂
Eager to try this!
Natalie
Stacey
Hi Natalie, yes, I have made this in the IP and will be soon adding directions for that. Thanks for reminding me 🙂
Kay
Recipe looks INCREDIBLE! If you were to use an oven instead, how long would you bake for, and at what temp? I know you have only done in it a crock pot, I am just considering trying the oven method for days I'm starting dinner right after shopping.
Stacey
Hi Kay, I think you could bake it at 400F for around 30 to 35 minutes.
Jane
Thank you for posting this!
I can't follow a recipe to save my life so here were the changes I made today:
- doubled the recipe
- only had tomato paste so used a big dollop and added about 1/3 cup water
- used an entire tin of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- one big jalapeño pepper, seeds and all
- had some kombucha vinegar so used that
- squirted lime juice until I got the tang I was happy with
I just ate a thigh from the pot and it is delicious. Boxed the rest of the meat up for lunches and covered with sauce. The rest of the sauce got lovingly bottled, to be used on other meats next week. Man is it good!
Stacey
Hi Jane, thank you so much for trying the recipe and sharing your additions. I particularly like the jalapeño pepper addition, but my hubby would think I'm trying to burn him with my spicy foods. I'm like"what, jalapeños are not even that spicy, I could have used habaneros!" Yes, pork would be amazing with the sauce!!BTW, it sounds like you are an excellent cook.
Joanna
That was delicious and super flavorful! I seared the chicken thighs (bone in/skin on) before I put them in the crockpot because I like the skin that way. They were fall off the bone tender after four hours. I recommend bumping up the spice if you like spicy foods because this was not spicy. I still absolutely loved it and already convinced my dad to make it for himself this weekend. Five stars for sure!! The sauce is incredible and I think this would be great with a pork shoulder, too. Will definitely make again and again! Thanks for the recipe!
Stacey
Thank you so much for making the recipe and your very kind words. Also for sharing your tips & process. Yes, I like to bump up the spices as well, but my hubby says I'm trying to burn him with spicy food, so I try to tone it down for the people that don't have a higher spice tolerance. I agree though, I think it is even better with the spices kicked up a notch! 🙂
Becky
Has anyone made this in the Instant Pot?
Stacey
I haven't yet, but an Instant pot is on my wishlist.
Jacqui
Can you please clarify if tomato sauce is ketchup or just tomato purée/ sauce from a can?
Thanks so much
Jacqui
Stacey
Hi Jacqui, It is tomato puree from a can or carton, not ketchup.
Lynne
This recipe sounds wonderful, but is the sweetener necessary? Is it too sour or tart without it? I just don't add sweeteners to anything.
Stacey
Lynne, The sweetener is not necessary,it is optional and just enhances the flavors, but is not a deal breaker to leave it out.
Becky Winkler (A Calculated Whisk)
I love chipotle! This recipe is right up my alley.
Stacey
Thank you Becky 🙂
Melissa
You mention cumin in the instant pot directions but it’s not in the ingredients list or crockpot directions?? How much?
Stacey
That ingredient (cumin) was not supposed to be in either of the directions. I removed it & thank you for letting me know.
Carrie Forrest
This chicken recipe looks to be extremely hearty, healthy, and delicious. Also, it’s a slow cooker recipe so it’s truly the perfect recipe for all circumstances.
Stacey
Thank you Carrie 🙂
Rachel
Nom! I need more recipes to use up my chipotle powder, this looks like a good one.
Stacey
Thank you Rachel 🙂
Taesha
Yum! This sounds lovely and I am always on the hunt for new slow cooker recipes to add to my rotation!
Stacey
Thanks Taesha 🙂
Michele @ Thriving On Paleo
This looks like something you'd get in a nice restaurant, yet I love how you make it a slow cooker recipe! I love any meal that you can just mix a few things and throw it in a crock pot.
Stacey
Thank you kindly Michelle 🙂
Mary
Have you done this recipe in the IP under pressure??
Kelly Bejelly
Stacey – This looks AMAZING! I’m like you and like my spices on full blast. Also, you know how much I love slow-cooker meals that are easy, quick and delicious. I’m adding this to my list right now.
Stacey
Thank you much sweet Kelly 🙂
Kari
Yum! This sounds incredible, and I'm always looking for easy crockpot recipes to satisfy my Mexican and Tex Mex cravings!
Stacey
Thank you Kari 🙂
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish
This sounds delicious! I love lime so much, and it sounds delicious paired with all of that garlic and chipotle!
Stacey
Thank you Emily 🙂
Jessica DeMay
This sounds delicious and I bet I can make it in my Instant Pot. It sounds like it has so much flavor-yum!
Stacey
Thank you Jessica, I think slower cooker and instant pots are similar, so it would work.
Katja
I have been using my slow cooker so much this winter already. I'm excited to try this recipe. Thanks!
Stacey
Katja, I have been using it so much too. thank you 🙂
Cristina
sounds aaaaaammmaaazzzing!!
Stacey
Thank you so much Cristina 🙂
ChihYu
Love slow cooker meals and this garlic chipotle lime chicken sounds amazing ! I'm mouthwatering here !
Stacey
Aw, thank you ChihYu 🙂
Irena Macri
Sounds so yummy! This would also make a great recipe for the pressure cooker. I might have to test it out 🙂
Stacey
Thank you Irene 🙂
Halle From Whole Lifestyle Nutrition
I just love that you made this with the crockpot! I am always looking for comforting recipes for my crockpot and this one fits the bill! Can not wait to make this, thank you!
Stacey
Thank you Halle, I love my crockpot too!
Renee
My mouth is watering! I love smokey chipotle any day of the week! Those green chilies make it fantastic i bet!
Stacey
Thank you Renee 🙂
Kim |
This recipe really appeals to me. I don't use my crockpot enough, but will break it out to try this one. Thanks for the great recipe.
Stacey
Thank you Kim. I use mine all the time. I'm thinking about getting an Instant pot next.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Set it and forget it dinners are the best! Love the flavors in your dish!
Stacey
Thank you Maya 🙂
Georgina Bomer
Oh I love these ingredients! Yummmm!
Stacey
Thank you Georgina 🙂
Katrin
This dish sounds so incredibly flavourful I want to make it straight away. Love the combination of chili and lime.
Stacey
Awe, thanks Katrin. 🙂