It’s hard to resist this delicious Sweet and Spicy Crockpot Chicken. It’s so easy and quick to make, with simple ingredients. Bonus, it can be used in a number of ways!
Whether you're looking for a quick, set-it-and-forget-it recipe to throw together or something that will wow guests at your next dinner party, this slow cooked is sure to hit the spot. And if you're not much of a chef, don't worry—this recipe won't leave you feeling like you've just been in the kitchen all day. If anything, it'll make you feel like your cooking skills are on point!
You can adjust the amount of heat depending on how spicy you want things to be and what kind of kick you're going for. However much spice you decide on adding, let us assure: It's going to be good!
A chipotle pepper is nothing more than fully ripened jalapeño pepper that’s been dried and smoked. Canned in adobo sauce and often next to the salsa in a grocery store), these peppers lend this tender chicken a wonderful smokey flavor!
This sweet and spicy chicken is also great because it feeds a crowd and is versatile in how it can be used. It’s excellent as tacos (as seen here) or as enchiladas, on top of a salad (which I had as leftovers…amazing), quesadillas, nachos or incorporated in a Mexican style soup!
What You’ll Need
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs or Breasts
- Chicken Broth
- Salsa
- Honey or Hot Honey
- Chipotle Chiles in Adobo Sauce
- Taco Seasoning
Tools You’ll Need
How to Make This Recipe
- The ingredients are simple and the cooking process is pretty straightforward. To the Crockpot, whisk together broth, salsa, honey, chiles and taco seasoning.
- Submerge the chicken thighs so that they’re covered with the sauce. Cover with the lid and set on high or low. High will take 4-5 hours and low will take 6-7 hour.
- Shred the chicken with 2 forks inside of the Crockpot. Taste and adjust with more seasonings or heat if you’d like.
- Serve as you’d wish! Tonight, we had ours as a taco bar!
Tips and Substitutions
- If you don’t have or can’t find Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce, you can substitute this ingredient with 2 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 teaspoon paprika and 1 teaspoon chili powder. You can add heat with ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.
- You can serve this tender chicken straight from the Crockpot or serve in one or more of these delicious ways:
- Tacos
- Nachos
- Enchiladas
- Salad Topper
- Tostada
- Lettuce Wrap
- Burritos
- Burrito Bowl
- Quesadillas
- Taquitos
- What to serve with this dish:
- Taco Accoutrements
- Rice
- Black Beans
- Refried Beans
- Cornbread
- Sautéed Fajita Veggies
- Chips and Salsa
- Chips and Queso
- This is great to freeze in portions and pop out when you need a quick dinner to reheat!
- Cool completely if you’re planning to freeze it, and then divide among ziploc bags or airtight containers. I like to freeze a few 1-or 2-cup portions and save the rest for the week ahead.
Recipes Like This
- Crockpot Pork Carnitas
- Asian Pulled Pork Sliders with Crispy Cucumber Slaw
- Pork Verde Enchiladas
- Fresh Pico de Gallo
Sweet and Spicy Crockpot Chicken
Ingredients
- 2-3 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 16 oz salsa
- ¼ cup honey or hot honey
- 2-3 tablespoon finely chopped chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
- 2-3 teaspoon taco seasoning
Instructions
- To a 6 quart or larger Crockpot, whisk together broth, salsa, honey, chipotle chilies and taco seasoning.
- Submerge the chicken. Cover and cook on low 6-7 hours or high 4-5.
- Once the cooking time has completed, shred the chicken inside the Crockpot with two forks.
- Serve chicken as desired.
Rick G Chaney
Although this looks delicious, the spicyness is a little too much for us. Those who like spicy foods may really enjoy this meal.
Laura Ashley
For sure!😁 Under my tips and substitutions, I noted an exchange with tomato paste that you can do for a less spicy version😉