Slow Cooker Chipotle Pulled Chicken Recipe

This super easy chipotle slow cooker pulled chicken recipe is a family-approved weeknight favorite.

I will never be convinced that the slow cooker isn’t one of the world’s greatest inventions. We humans seriously scored big with that stroke of genius.

This super easy slow cooker chipotle pulled chicken recipe is a perfect example of why we love a good slow cooker recipe around here.

It could not be easier to make, plus it’s fully kid-approved! Toss everything together in the slow cooker in the morning and dinner is ready to be served.

Why We Love This Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Recipe

When it comes to simplicity, there is just no way to overstate how incredibly easy this slow cooker pulled chicken recipe truly is to make – it’s amazing!

Made with just a handful of ingredients and spices you likely already have on hand, it takes five minutes or less to prep and get everything ready to go.

At dinnertime, you can used this pulled chicken to make tacos, to top nachos, to make pulled chicken sandwiches or to serve the tastiest burrito bowls.

This is the kind of recipe that is perfect for dinner on a busy weeknight – toss everything into the slow cooker and dinner will be ready when you are.

You don’t have to do a bunch of chopping before your work day begins, making it truly quick, easy and painless to prep the slow cooker in the morning.

Plus, your family will love the combination of robust flavors. This pulled chicken is slightly smoky, sweet and bursting with chipotle while not being too spicy.

Slow Cooker Chipotle Pulled Chicken Recipe

To make this slow cooker pulled chicken recipe, you will need:

Ingredients

• Chicken – I make this recipe with boneless skinless chicken breast, but some may prefer to make it with boneless skinless chicken thighs.
• Chicken stock – The basis of the flavorful sauce is chicken stock or broth – you could also use veggie stock or broth if you have it on hand.
• Lime juice – A bit of freshly squeezed lime juice adds loads of great flavor to the chicken.
• Chipotle peppers in adobo –  You will need both finely minced chipotle peppers and additional adobo sauce to make this recipe come to life.
• Honey – The addition of honey balances out the chipotle flavors perfectly. 
• Spices – Chili powder, paprika, cumin, onion powder and garlic powder (along with black pepper and salt) are all you need to season this chicken.
• Toppings – Along with whatever you want for tortillas or chips, don’t forget toppings like fresh lime wedges, cilantro, cotija cheese and sour cream.

Gear

• Slow cooker
• Slow cooker liners (optional)
• Knife + cutting board

Step 1. In a small mixing bowl combine the chicken stock, lime juice, honey, spices and seasonings. Whisk until well combined.

Step 2. Lightly spray the crock of your slow cooker with nonstick spray or (optionally) line with a slow cooker liner to make clean up a breeze.

Place the chicken in a single layer along the bottom of the crock.

Step 3. Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken then cover and cook with the slow cooker on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.

Step 4. When the chicken has cooked thoroughly, carefully use two forks to shred the chicken to your desired consistency. Be careful as it will be hot.

TIP: Be sure you know if yellow chicken is safe to eat.

At this point, you are ready to serve your pulled chicken however you prefer! My family happens to really love this chicken for making tacos or burritos.

This easy recipe is also a great way to meal prep a bunch of shredded chicken to use throughout the week for lunches to bring along to work. 

It also happens to be a great recipe to make to bring along to a potluck or to serve up to friends over crispy tortilla chips for your next game day gathering!

What if the Sauce Doesn’t Thicken?

If you like a slightly thicker sauce (like my family does) you may find that the sauce doesn’t quite thicken to your preference while the chicken is cooking.

A simple cornstarch slurry mixed at a ratio of 1:2 (cornstarch to water) will do the trick if you’d like to thicken the sauce further before shredding the chicken.

Use 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to 2 tablespoons of water. Whisk vigorously until combined. Add it to the slow cooker, mix and let cook for a few minutes.

More Slow Cooker Recipes We Love

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times – we love a good slow cooker recipe. Our slow cooker salisbury steak recipe is our most popular recipe ever!

We love using the slow cooker to make everything from slow-cooker white chicken chili to our epic slow-cooker apple cobbler recipe. It’s so good.

Of course, don’t miss our slow cooker turkey breast recipe – it’s the best way to enjoy a turkey dinner year-round served with slow cooker mashed potatoes.

Try our slow cooker chicken parmesan sliders, this slow cooker chicken tikka masala recipe and our slow cooker chicken and wild rice soup, too!

FAQ: Can you put a crock pot in the oven? We have the answer!