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Slow cooker honey chipotle chicken in bowl with serving spoons on the side.
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Slow Cooker Honey Chipotle Chicken

This Slow Cooker Honey Chipotle Chicken is sweet, smoky, and just a little bit spicy. It's made with tender shredded chicken that's cooked low and slow in a bold, flavorful sauce, making it perfect for an easy, hands-off meal that’s great for tacos, bowls, sliders, or meal prep.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword honey chipotle chicken
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Servings 8 -10 servings
Calories 271kcal
Author Tawnie Graham of Kroll's Korner

Ingredients

  • 2 to 2½ lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs for extra juiciness
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce finely chopped (adjust to spice preference)
  • 1 Tbsp. adobo sauce from the can
  • 2 Tbsp. tomato paste or ketchup adds depth + gloss
  • 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar or lime juice for brightness
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp. smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp. chipotle chili powder
  • 1 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. onion powder
  • 1 tsp. ancho chili powder
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Add sauce and seasonings to slow cooker: Add the honey, chopped chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, tomato paste, vinegar/lime juice, chicken broth, garlic, smoked paprika, chipotle chili powder, cumin, onion powder, ancho chili powder, salt, pepper, and olive oil to the slow cooker. Whisk to combine.
    2 to 2½ lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts, 1/2 cup honey, 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 1 Tbsp. adobo sauce, 2 Tbsp. tomato paste or ketchup, 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar or lime juice, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tsp. smoked paprika, 1 tsp. chipotle chili powder, 1 tsp. ground cumin, 1 tsp. onion powder, 1 tsp. ancho chili powder, 1 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. black pepper, 1 Tbsp. olive oil, 1 cup chicken broth
    Side-by-side image of adding all the sauce ingredients to the slow cooker and stirring to combine.
  • Add the chicken: Place the chicken breasts (or thighs) into the sauce, turning to coat.
    2 to 2½ lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
    Adding the chicken breasts to the sauce in the crockpot.
  • Cook: Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Chicken should shred easily with two forks when done. Start Timer
    Chicken cooked in slow cooker on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
  • Shred + sauce: Shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. Stir into the sauce so it becomes super juicy and glossy.
    Honey chipotle chicken shredded directly in the crockpot with two forks.
  • Serve: Enjoy in tacos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, sliders, stuffed sweet potatoes, on a salad, or nachos!
    Honey chipotle chicken in a white serving dish with serving spoons on the side.

Notes

  • Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Freezer: Let chicken cool completely, then freeze in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months.
  • Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth if needed to loosen the sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 271kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 883mg | Potassium: 648mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 782IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 2mg