Description
This Slow-Cooked Orange Chipotle Chicken is tender, smoky, sweet, and full of bold flavor. A blend of chipotle peppers, fresh orange juice, honey, and spices slow-cook into a sticky, citrusy glaze that makes the chicken melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Perfect for tacos, rice bowls, or simple weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, chopped
- 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice (added at the end)
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- In a blender, combine orange juice, zest, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, honey, garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Blend until smooth.
- Place chicken thighs in the slow cooker. Pour sauce over the chicken and coat evenly.
- Cover and cook on low for 5–6 hours or high for 3–4 hours until chicken is very tender.
- Shred chicken with two forks directly in the slow cooker. Stir in lime juice.
- Serve over rice, in tacos, or with veggies. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
Notes
- Adjust chipotle quantity to control spice level.
- Use chicken breasts if preferred, reduce cook time slightly.
- Leftovers are great in tacos, salads, or grain bowls.
- For extra glaze, simmer sauce in a pan to reduce slightly.