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Slow Cooker Chicken Carnitas

Slow Cooker Chicken Carnitas

Contributor: Sam Ellis

Now tacos for dinner are even easier. Make chicken carnitas in the slow cooker and spend only minutes assembling dinner.

  • Author: Sam Ellis
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4-6 hours
  • Total Time: 4-6 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Entrée
  • Method: Slow Cooker
  • Cuisine: Mexcian

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 and 1/2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs or a mixture of both
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 1 and 1/2 tsp. chili powder
  • 1 tsp. cumin
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. oregano
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. pepper

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-7 hours.
  2. With 30 minutes left, remove the chicken and shred with forks. Remove the bay leaves. Place chicken back in the slow cooker for the remaining 30 minutes. 
  3. Move an oven rack to 6 inches below the broiler. Set broiler to high. Using a slotted spoon, remove the chicken and place it on a cookie sheet.  
  4. Place chicken under broiler for 5 minutes. Remove from under broiler, spoon ¼ cup of broth from slow cooker onto chicken and toss. Place back under broiler for 2 minutes. Spoon 2 tablespoons of broth onto the chicken and toss. Place back under broiler for 2 minutes. Spoon 2 tablespoons of broth onto the chicken and toss. Repeat until chicken has a nice crunch in many places. If it burns in small spots, break off the burnt bits and discard.