Slow Cooker Chicken Carnitas
User Reviews
5
Slow Cooker Chicken Carnitas
Description
This recipe uses bone-in chicken thighs cooked skin-side up on a bed of wedge-cut onions in a slow cooker. Chicken broth and a medley of fresh citrus juices—orange, lime, and lemon—are added to impart acidity and brightness. The chicken is seasoned with kosher salt, black pepper, dried oregano, cumin, and sliced jalapeño for a mild heat burst.
After approximately six hours on high, the chicken is shredded after removing skin and bones. Half of the shredded meat is crisped in a skillet with vegetable oil over medium-high heat in batches, creating a crunchy surface while keeping the interior tender and moist. This step adds texture contrast typical of carnitas.
The carnitas are versatile and can be served in tortillas, over rice, or with fresh toppings. The recipe does not include storage or reheating notes.
Ingredients
- 1 yellow onion , cut into wedges
- 6 chicken thighs
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 orange , juiced
- 1 lime , juiced
- 1 lemon , juiced
- 1 jalapeño , deseeded and sliced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper coarse ground
- 1 tablespoon oregano dried
- 1 tablespoon cumin ground
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
- Add the onions to your slow cooker, then top with the chicken (skin side up).
- Add the chicken broth, orange juice, lime juice and lemon juice.
- In a bowl mix the jalapeno, salt, pepper, oregano, cumin and sprinkle it all over the chicken.
- Cover and cook for on high for 6 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and remove the skin and bones before shredding with a fork.
- Add half of your vegetable oil to your skillet on medium high heat with half the chicken and allow to crisp for 3-4 minutes before flipping and cooking 3-4 minutes.
- Repeat with remaining vegetable oil and remaining chicken before serving.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 346 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 346kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 5g | 2% |
| Protein | 32g | 64% |
| Fat | 21g | 32% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 97mg | 32% |
| Sodium | 771mg | 32% |
| Potassium | 476mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 201IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 20mg | 22% |
| Calcium | 46mg | 5% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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