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Mexican Shredded Chicken

Mexican Shredded Chicken

This bold and smoky Mexican shredded chicken is infused with chipotles, tomatoes, and spices, then crisped to perfection for irresistible texture. Perfect for tacos, bowls, and meal prep, it's an easy and flavorful staple you'll want to make again and again.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, LUNCH
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 297
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken and Sauce
  • 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 3 halves
  • 0.5 cup chipotles in adobo sauce about 4 chilies with sauce
  • 14 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 2 cloves garlic crushed
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 0.75 tsp salt adjust to taste
  • 0 black pepper freshly cracked
Optional for Finishing
  • 1 lime juice only
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for sauce
  • 2 tbsp olive oil for browning chicken

Method
 

  1. Step 1 – Cook the Chicken
    Slow Cooker: Place chicken, chipotles, tomatoes, garlic, spices, salt, and a pinch of pepper into your slow cooker. Set to LOW and cook for 4 hours until tender.
    Pressure Cooker: Add all chicken and sauce ingredients to the cooker. Cook on HIGH pressure for 35 minutes. Natural release for 5 minutes, then quick release.
    Stovetop: Combine ingredients in a saucepan with 1 cup water. Simmer covered on medium-low heat for 40–50 minutes until fork-tender.
  2. Step 2 – Shred and Blend
    Remove chicken and shred using forks. Add lime juice and 1 tbsp olive oil to the sauce. Blend until smooth and taste to adjust seasoning. You should have about 2 cups of sauce.
  3. Step 3 – Brown the Chicken
    Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet. Sear chicken in batches until crispy and golden on one side, then flip briefly. Repeat until all chicken is crisped, adding more oil if needed.

Notes

Don’t skip blending the sauce—it creates a luscious texture. For milder spice, reduce chipotles and increase tomatoes. Chicken thighs can be used for juicier results. Double the batch for meal prep. Add black beans or corn for a boost in flavor and texture.