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4.67 from 6 votes

Slow Cooker Chicken Carnitas

Slow cooker recipes are the best and this carnitas recipe has juicy chicken, tons of flavor and you just sit back and wait for taco night!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time8 hours
Total Time8 hours 15 minutes
Course: Mom's Best 100 Easy Chicken Recipes
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: carnitas, chicken, slow cooker, Taco
Servings: 12
Author: Sweet Basil

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper
  • 2 tablespoons Dried Oregano
  • 2 Tablespoons Cumin
  • 2 teaspoons Chili Powder
  • 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
  • 8-10 Bone In Chicken Thighs With skin
  • 1/4 Cup Oil
  • 1 1/2 Yellow Onions Cut into Wedges
  • 2 Jalapenos Seeded and minced
  • 1/2 Cup Orange Juice fresh preferred, 1 large orange
  • 2 Limes zested and juiced
  • 6 Ounce Can Pineapple Juice
  • 1/3 Cup Cilantro Chopped
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a bowl, mix together the seasonings.
    2 teaspoons Kosher Salt, 1 teaspoon Pepper, 2 tablespoons Dried Oregano, 2 Tablespoons Cumin, 2 teaspoons Chili Powder, 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
  • Coat the chicken thighs in the seasonings.
    8-10 Bone In Chicken Thighs
  • In a pan, add some of the oil and over medium high heat brown each side of the chicken and set aside.
    1/4 Cup Oil
  • Heat the remaining oil and brown each side of the onion, on the last side throw in the jalapeno and then scrape everything into a slow cooker.
    1/4 Cup Oil, 1 1/2 Yellow Onions, 2 Jalapenos
  • Add all remaining ingredients and cook for 6-8 hours on low.
    1/2 Cup Orange Juice, 2 Limes, 6 Ounce Can Pineapple Juice, 1/3 Cup Cilantro
  • Remove the chicken to a plate and heat a little more oil in a pan. Remove the skin and bones and shred the meat.
  • Heat a little more oil in a pan over medium high heat and quick crisp the chicken.
  • Toss the chicken back into the slow cooker, stirring with the liquid and serve!

Notes

chicken carnitas can be prepared ahead of time and frozen until ready to use

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 172kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 242mg | Potassium: 180mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 152IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg