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A light, bright tequila chicken recipe in the slow cooker, with lots of fresh lime flavor and just the right balance of spices.
Tequila and me, we weren’t always on friendly terms.
I had a memorable encounter with the stuff, the really cheap kind, during a Caribbean cruise when I was too young to legally drink it here in the U.S. And it did not sit well.
And for years, literally, years and years, I wouldn’t touch the stuff. Hated even the smell of it.
Recently, my husband challenged me that I might, just maybe, be able to drink good tequila now that I’m older. And more responsible. (Or so I tell myself.)
So I made us some fresh, from-scratch margaritas on Cinco de Mayo – and they were delicious! Hubby was kind-of impressed, I think, given my utter unfamiliarity.
That weekend, spurred on by my new-found love of tequila, I made this tequila chicken for the first time. I wanted a slow cooker version so I could just let it go all day long while we were playing and running around. (And because I vowed to use my slow cooker all spring and summer!)
We devoured it that night! The sunshine, the fresh air and the lingering weekend vibes really made this seem so bright and fresh.
You’ll get a great hit of lime, a good dose of chili and cumin spices running through it and just an undertone of tequila. I served it as a rice bowl, but you could absolutely make tacos or enchiladas with this too.
Hubby laughed at me, though, because I used our really good tequila to make this. It was all we had!
So now I have a bottle of regular tequila just to use in cooking – don’t I feel like a tequila connoisseur all of a sudden!
I made this again a few weeks later and took half of the batch to a friend who just had a baby girl. I figured, what does a new mom need if not to catch up on all the alcohol she missed for the last 9 months? Kidding. Sort of.
If you are a Mexican food junkie like me, and especially if you have a soft spot for margaritas, you will love this easy tequila chicken.
(Which you should, of course, serve with some margaritas.)
Salud!
Slow cooker tequila chicken
Slow cooker tequila chicken is easy with lots of fresh lime flavor!
Ingredients
- 4 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup tequila (preferably a dark tequila)
- Zest of 1 lime
- Juice of 4 limes, divided
- Juice of 2 oranges
- 1 jalapeno, membranes and seeds removed, finely chopped
- 1/2 medium red onion, chopped (a heaping cup or so)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
- For serving: brown rice, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, chopped fresh cilantro, avocado slices
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients, reserving one lime for later, in a 5- or 6-quart slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3 1/2 to 4 hours.
- Remove the chicken, shred with two forks then stir it back into the sauce. (It will seem like a lot of sauce but the chicken soaks up almost all of it.)
- Squeeze the juice of the remaining lime over the chicken and stir to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Serve over brown rice and top with Monterey Jack cheese, cilantro and avocado slices. (Or use for tacos or enchiladas.)
Recipe Notes
This recipe makes a lot! It freezes great - I just pop the extra shredded chicken and some juice from the slow cooker into a labeled Ziploc freezer bag. You can use the extras for tacos and enchiladas, burritos or even with a salad.
Of course, you can easily halve the recipe, too, if you prefer.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Amount Per Serving | As Served |
| Calories 321kcal Calories from fat 94 | |
| % Daily Value | |
| Total Fat 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat 2g | 10% |
| Transfat 0g | |
| Cholesterol 132mg | 44% |
| Sodium 488mg | 20% |
| Carbohydrate 8g | 3% |
| Dietary Fiber 2g | 8% |
| Sugars 3g | |
| Protein 42g | |
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:
| Calories | 2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | Less than | 65g |
| Sat Fat | Less than | 25g |
| Cholesterol | Less than | 300mg |
| Sodium | Less than | 2,400mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 300g | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25g | |
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
I love that you’ve decided to use your slow cooker all Spring and Summer long! I feel the same way about my pressure cooker now. You go girl 😉 ! I have a like/not like relationship with tequila. I enjoy margaritas, though I haven’t had one in a long time, but I do recall many many years ago not feeling quite so well after having a couple of tequila shots. But, I’m more mature and sensible now (so I tell myself) so I wouldn’t dare touch shots. This recipe looks delicious, Kathryn. So different and loads of flavour in there…just what I like! Pinned. Have a great weekend. xo
Kathryn says
Thanks Dawn! Glad I’m not the only one with a shaky history with tequila 😉 Have a wonderful rest of the week! XO
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Tequila and I are always on good terms. 😉 And great minds think alike, because I have a tequila based chicken recipe coming up soon! But mine isn’t as genius as yours, because I didn’t use my BFF the slow cooker!! Womp Womp for me. I use the slow cooker more in the summer than I do the winter, so this chicken is seriously calling my name! Love this, girlfriend! Cheers!
Kathryn says
Tequila twinsies!! 🙂 And see, you’re smart for already using your slow cooker all the time in the summer. It’s my goal this year 🙂
Lisa @ Chocolate Meets Strawberry says
I’ve never heard of tequila chicken, but it sounds delish! Tequila-infused chicken made in the slow cooker? Sounds great Kathryn!! 😀
Kathryn says
You will love it Lisa!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
This is such a great summertime slow cooker recipe! You know how much I love any and all slow cooker chickens!
Kathryn says
The best, right?! Thanks Rebecca 🙂
Deanna Segrave-Daly says
I feel the exact same way about tequila – I’m not really a snob when it comes to alcohol but only the finer tequila for me and my margaritas for the exact reason you pointed out. Pinning this one!
Kathryn says
Haha, glad we’re on the same page here! Thanks Deanna!
jayne says
You had me at Tequila! ha ha. seriously though this sounds super tasty what a great recipe
Kathryn says
Thanks Jayne 🙂
Karly says
Oh, tequila. It can be our best friend or our worst enemy, it seems! In this case, it’s definitely our friend. Love this idea and that it can be used so many ways! I’ve gotta try it out!
Kathryn says
Thanks Karly! Yes, it’s very versatile! And oh so easy 🙂
Ginger Wroot says
Tequila is my fav hard liquor, but I’ve actually never cooked with it! Your chicken tequila recipe, though, may change that! Pinned, and looking forward to trying it soon! –Ginger
http://gingerwroot.com
Kathryn says
Thanks Ginger! Hope you give it a try!
Julianna says
Oh yum! I just happen to have a bottle of tequila in my pantry, so I think I am going to put it to good use this week. Your recipe sounds amazing! Thanks so much!
Kathryn says
How convenient 😉 Thanks Julianna, hope you do give it a try!
Frugal Hausfrau says
Does this ever sound delish!! I’m pinning! I had an experience like that way back when with Jack Daniels and I couldn’t touch any bourbon or whiskey type drink for years…
Thanks for joining us again at Throwback Thursday!!
Mollie
Kathryn says
Haha, glad I’m not the only one Mollie 😉
Nancy | Plus Ate Six says
Last time I drank tequila it made me cry! Maybe I just drank too much – who knows. It’s been a long time between tequila shots though let me tell you! BUT – we have tequila in the house. And since I don’t want to drink it, I can now cook with it. Love all your slow cooker recipes – keep ’em coming 🙂
Kathryn says
Haha, well stay clear of the margaritas then and cook with tequila instead 😉
Quinn Caudill says
Good tequila is the best, cheap tequila makes you do things you might regret the next day:)) I love tequila lime grilled chicken and making it in the crockpot is genius. Thanks for sharing with us at Throwback Thursday. Pinned!
Kathryn says
Haha, wise words Quinn! Thanks 🙂