Easy Honey Chipotle Chicken (Slow Cooker)

There’s nothing better than the combination of sweet and smoky spice, especially when it comes together in a dish that’s also super easy to make. This Honey Chipotle Chicken slow cooks in a marinade made with a little broth, smoky chipotle, sweet honey, garlic and fresh lime juice. With just a few minutes of prep, your slow cooker will do all the work, leaving you with a dish that’s packed with bold flavor.

The best part about this Honey Chipotle Chicken is that it can be used in many different ways. Our family loves to make tacos and rice bowls with this chicken. You can get creative with different toppings, or keep it simple like my daughters do. You can also use it to meal prep some rice bowls for the week, enjoy it on top of a salad, or even serve it with a simple side of roasted veggies. (See below for more detailed serving ideas!)

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS

Family-Friendly: This is one of my daughter’s favorite chicken recipes. She loves to enjoy it over rice or in tacos with shredded Mexican-blend cheese. The sweet and savory balance appeals to all ages, and you can easily adjust the level of heat by adding more or less chipotle seasoning.

Versatile Meal Option: It’s versatile and allows you to switch up how you use the leftover chicken. For example, you can have tacos one night and a rice bowl the next.

Perfect for Meal Prep: The slow-cooked chicken holds up well for leftovers, making it ideal for meal prepping or enjoying throughout the week.

Super Easy: With a little planning ahead, this dish is perfect for busier days. Just remember to throw it in the crock pot earlier in the day and it will do most of the work for you. 🙂

Uses Simple Ingredients: Nothing fancy here! It might taste like it came from a restaurant, but it’s really just combining a few simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

INGREDIENT NOTES

• Chicken breast – Lean, tender, and a great source of protein, chicken breast works beautifully in the slow cooker, absorbing all the delicious flavors of the marinade.
• Chicken broth – Adds moisture to the chicken.
• Honey – Perfectly balances the smoky heat of the chipotle and brings a rich, natural sweetness to the dish.
• Chipotle chili pepper seasoning – Smoky, slightly spicy, and full of rich flavor, this seasoning brings the signature kick that gives the dish its boldness.
• Garlic – Fresh minced garlic adds a punch of aromatic flavor and depth, blending perfectly with the spices in the marinade. If you don’t have fresh or minced garlic, you can substitute it with a teaspoon of garlic powder.
• Salt – Balances the sweetness.
• Limes – Fresh lime juice goes so well with the rest of the flavors. I like to add an extra squeeze of it on top of my tacos and rice bowls.
• Cumin & smoked paprika – Used to season the chicken giving it that much more flavor.
• Black beans (OPTIONAL): Sometimes I like to add black beans to the slow cooker if I have a can on hand. (Make sure to drain and rinse them first.) I add them at the beginning and just pour them on top of the chicken, right before adding the lid and turning it on. They end up soaking up the flavor from the smoky broth really nicely and give your tacos and rice bowls that much more flavor. They also add even more protein and nutrients to your dish! This is completely optional though and just an idea for serving.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

Rice Bowls: Add this chicken to a bowl of rice. You can enjoy as is or add as many fresh toppings as you like, such as diced onion, cilantro, roasted veggies, your favorite cheese and extra lime juice.

Tacos: You can use this chicken to make soft or hard tacos. Get creative and add all your favorite toppings! To save on time, try to prep the fresh ingredients ahead of time and properly store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready.

Salad: Add the shredded chicken to a bed of your favorite kind of lettuce. Add some fresh tomatoes, corn, black beans, shredded cheese, avocado, onions and cilantro for a delicious salad.

With Your Favorite Side: You can skip shredding the chicken and enjoy a piece on it’s own with your favorite side dish. This Honey Chipotle Chicken would pair amazingly with a scoop of my Corn Pudding Casserole or my Roasted Corn Salad.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Spray the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Add the chicken broth, honey, chipotle chili pepper seasoning, minced garlic and salt. Whisk together to combine.

Trim the chicken and then lay the pieces across the cutting board. Sprinkle the cumin and smoked paprika evenly across all of the chicken and gently rub the seasoning into the chicken with your fingers.

Gently lay the chicken into the slow cooker. If choosing to add black beans, add them now and sprinkle across the top of the chicken.

Add the lid and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-7. (Chicken should be tender and fall apart easily when done.)

Remove chicken from slow cooker and put on a plate. Gently shred the chicken into smaller pieces. Add the fresh lime juice and stir the leftover marinade. Spoon it over the chicken for extra moisture and flavor. Enjoy in tacos, over rice, on top of a fresh salad or with a side of your favorite veggies.

TIPS & NOTES

Adjust the Heat: If you like a spicier kick, feel free to add more chipotle chili pepper seasoning or even a dash of cayenne pepper. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can reduce the amount of chipotle or use a milder chili powder.

Make a Sauce: If you want to use the leftover liquids to make a thicker sauce, remove the chicken and let the sauce simmer on the stovetop for a few minutes to reduce, or mix in a slurry of cornstarch and water to thicken.