Zesty Mexican Spicy Shredded Chicken (Slow Cooker)
This Zesty Mexican Spicy Shredded Chicken recipe is not only easy to prepare but packed with bold flavors that will elevate your meal. Infused with a fiery kick from cayenne pepper and hot sauce, this dish is perfect for those who love a little heat in their food. The slow cooker method ensures the chicken remains juicy and tender, making it ideal for a variety of dishes such as tacos, burritos, taco salads, or even as a topping for nachos. Plus, it's freezable, so you can make a big batch to enjoy later. Savor the heat and versatility of this fantastic recipe!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
2-3 lbs (trimmed of excess fat)
Onion
1 medium (chopped)
Diced green chilies
1 (7 ounce) can (drained)
Chili powder
1 teaspoon
Cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon
Hot sauce
1 (5 ounce) bottle
Garlic powder
1 teaspoon
Chicken bouillon cube
1
Water
1 cup
Salt
to taste
Pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
In a slow cooker, combine the trimmed chicken, chopped onion, drained diced green chilies, chili powder, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, garlic powder, chicken bouillon cube, and water.
2
Stir the ingredients until well mixed and ensure that the chicken is fully submerged in the liquid. If it isn’t, add additional water as necessary.
3
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on the low setting for 8 hours.
4
Once the cooking time is complete, check the chicken; it should be easily shredded with a fork. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker, shred it using two forks, and return it to the pot. Stir it into the spicy sauce for maximum flavor.
5
Season the shredded chicken with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Mexican Spicy Shredded Chicken?
It is a bold and flavorful dish made by slow-cooking chicken with spices, hot sauce, and green chilies until tender enough to shred for various Mexican-inspired meals.
How long does this chicken cook in the slow cooker?
The recipe requires cooking the chicken on the low setting for 8 hours to ensure it is juicy and easy to shred.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, the recipe specifies that you can use either 2-3 lbs of boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
Is this Mexican shredded chicken recipe spicy?
Yes, the recipe is designed to be spicy, featuring a full 5-ounce bottle of hot sauce, cayenne pepper, and chili powder.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Yes, this shredded chicken is freezable, making it an excellent choice for batch cooking and meal prep.
How do I shred the chicken?
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and use two forks to pull the meat apart before returning it to the pot.
What size can of green chilies is needed?
The recipe calls for one 7-ounce can of diced green chilies, which should be drained before adding.
Should I cook the chicken on high or low?
This specific recipe is designed to be cooked on the low setting for 8 hours for the best texture.
Do I need to add water to the slow cooker?
Yes, the recipe requires 1 cup of water to help create the sauce and keep the chicken submerged.
How much hot sauce should I use?
The recipe calls for one 5-ounce bottle of hot sauce to give the dish its signature zesty heat.
What can I serve with this shredded chicken?
It is perfect for tacos, burritos, taco salads, nachos, or even as a protein topping for bowls.
What spices are used in this recipe?
The seasoning blend includes chili powder, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Do I need to prep the onion?
Yes, you should use one medium onion that has been chopped before adding it to the slow cooker.
Is a chicken bouillon cube necessary?
The recipe uses one chicken bouillon cube to enhance the savory depth of the spicy sauce.
What should I do if the chicken is not fully submerged?
If the chicken is not covered by the liquid after stirring, you should add a little additional water as necessary.
How much chili powder is required?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of chili powder.
How much cayenne pepper is in this recipe?
To provide heat, the recipe uses 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
When should I add the salt and pepper?
Season the shredded chicken with salt and pepper to taste after it has been shredded and stirred back into the sauce.
Do I need to trim the chicken?
Yes, the recipe recommends that the chicken breasts or thighs be trimmed of excess fat before cooking.
How many servings does this make?
While the exact serving count isn't specified, the recipe uses 2-3 lbs of chicken, making it ideal for large families or meal prep.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely, because it is versatile and freezable, it is a great option for preparing meals in advance.
Can I use this for nachos?
Yes, the tender, spicy meat makes an excellent topping for a plate of loaded nachos.
How much garlic powder is used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
Can I make this in a regular pot?
This specific recipe is formulated for a slow cooker to ensure the chicken remains juicy and tender over 8 hours.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to combine the chicken, onion, green chilies, spices, hot sauce, bouillon, and water in the slow cooker.
Should the green chilies be drained?
Yes, the recipe instructions state to drain the diced green chilies before adding them to the pot.
How do I ensure maximum flavor?
After shredding the chicken, stir it back into the spicy sauce left in the slow cooker to coat every piece.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It depends on the specific brands of hot sauce and bouillon cube used; check those labels to ensure they meet your dietary needs.
What kind of onion should I use?
The recipe specifies one medium onion, typically a yellow or white onion works best for this flavor profile.
Can I use frozen chicken?
It is safest to use thawed chicken in a slow cooker to ensure it reaches a safe temperature quickly enough during the 8-hour cook time.