Once fall rolls around, you can bet my crock-pot is a staple on my counter, but let me tell you, it’s capable of tasty dinners all year round!
My family can quickly tire of the rotation of fall crockpot meals, such as stews, chilis, soups, and the like.
Imagine how excited I was when this became a popular dish in my family: a Citrus Caribbean Chicken recipe.
The cooking process is easy- it’s dump and go, and then I come home to a sweet and savory dinner we all enjoy.
They liked it so much that I made it twice a month- and it became part of my freezer menu collection for slow cooker recipes!
Sweet & Savory Citrus Caribbean Chicken Recipe
My favorite crock-pot is this one. It’s 6-quarts and is generously sized for my family – you’ll love it!
I LOVE how dark meat in the crockpot turns out. It just falls apart and still stays juicy and moist. This easy Caribbean food is a great example.
Lime and orange juices (or lemon, but lime is better) blend with the cumin, oregano, and cilantro so well.
I added this to a bag to let the chicken marinade, and I plan on using it again with a bit of olive oil to do some grilled chicken next!
For marinading, I also decided that it works better if you remove the skin from the chicken. The marinade penetrates a little better, and I’m not a huge fan of chicken skin in the crockpot.
So here are the ingredients (helper not included). I used lemon juice this time since I didn’t have any limes on hand, but it still turned out GREAT.
Just toss everything in! Note – I didn’t marinade it this time, I just threw it all in. Still turns out great, but marinating first is better.
Also, I recommend putting the onions in the bottom of the pot and then covering it with the raw chicken- I think it’ll absorb more flavor and juice that way.
As you can see, I didn’t cook the chicken before popping it into the crockpot, though some recipes called for browned chicken to get a sear on it.
I don’t think it’s needed- this was plenty moist, and it’s much easier to just throw everything into the pot and let it do it’s thing.
Cook on high for 4 hours, or medium for 6. Simply remove from the crockpot and serve with brown or white rice!
Next time, I think I’ll grab some green onions to garnish; that onion flavor would add a great savory element to this chicken dish.
Citrus Caribbean Chicken
Ingredients
- 3-4 lbs chicken legs and thighs skin removed
- 3 Tbsp orange juice concentrate
- 1 Tbsp lime juice or lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic minced or pressed
- 1/2 onion sliced
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp dried cilantro or 1 Tbsp fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a freezer bag or large bowl.
- Marinade ingredients and raw chicken for a few hours or overnight to soak up the juices.
- Cook in slow cooker for 4 hours on high, 6 hours on medium, or 8 hours on low.
- Serve with rice.
Serving It Up
This Citrus Caribbean Chicken dish pairs beautifully with both white and brown rice. The rice soaks up the absolutely delicious citrus sauce, providing a wonderful balance of flavors with each bite.
For a fun twist, you can also use this chicken to make tacos. Simply shred the cooked chicken and load it into soft or hard taco shells.
Then, add your favorite toppings, such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, jalapenos, green onions, and a dollop of sour cream.
For a tasty Mediterranean-inspired meal, stuff warm pita bread with shredded chicken, some fresh cucumber slices, and a drizzle of yogurt sauce.
For a creative take on stuffed peppers, mix the shredded chicken with cooked quinoa or rice, then fill halved bell peppers with the mixture and bake until tender.
The possibilities are endless, ensuring that this great recipe becomes a staple for various delicious meals.
Other Slow Cooker Recipes
And if you like this dish for slow-cooker Caribbean citrus chicken, you might be interested in 40 other slow cooker dump recipes that are AMAZING!
FAQS
Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs?
Yes, you can definitely use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs for this recipe.
The important thing to keep in mind is to avoid overcooking the chicken breasts, as they can dry out more easily than thighs.
For best results, I recommend cooking on medium for 6 hours. This will ensure the chicken breasts stay tender and juicy, absorbing all the delightful flavors from the citrus and spices.
Is this recipe like Caribbean jerk chicken?
While my Citrus Chicken Recipe and jerk chicken share Caribbean roots and are bursting with bold flavors, they have distinctly different flavors.
Caribbean jerk chicken traditionally relies on a unique flavor profile derived from allspice, scotch bonnet pepper, coconut milk, soy sauce, nutmeg, and thyme.
These ingredients lend the dish a signature smoky and spicy profile that people think of with jerk chicken.
In contrast, this citrus chicken recipe centers around the tangy brightness of citrus juices—orange and lime—and employs milder spices like cumin and oregano.
The result is a dish that is delightfully zesty and aromatic without the intense heat characteristic of jerk seasoning.
Is Caribbean chicken a spicy food or no?
No, my Caribbean Citrus Chicken recipe isn’t spicy. The dish is designed to highlight the tangy brightness of citrus juices and the aromatic blend of cumin and oregano.
But if you prefer a bit of heat in your dishes, you can easily customize the recipe to suit your taste.
Adding red pepper flakes, diced hot peppers, or a splash of your favorite hot sauce can introduce a kick of spice without overwhelming the citrus essence.
If you want to indulge in the sweetness and add a bit more, the orange and lime flavors would be perfect with brown sugar.
Some recipes call for soy sauce, which would go great with the citrus juices and give it a salty, umami flavor without any heat.
Final Thoughts
Creating new and exciting slow cooker recipes is a rewarding experience, especially when they become family favorites.
This Caribbean Citrus Chicken has proven to be a hit in my household, particularly in the summer months when its bright, tangy flavors add a refreshing twist to our dinner table.
The success of this dish has inspired me to continually experiment with ingredients and flavors, aiming to discover even more delightful and irresistible meals.
It’s a reminder that with a little creativity, the slow cooker can be a versatile tool for crafting nutritious and enjoyable meals that bring joy and culinary variety to our family dinners.
Have you grabbed my Chaos to Control Starter Guide, yet? I might be biased but I think it’s pretty amazing! Check it out!
Plan a Week of Dinners in Minutes — Without Overspending or Overthinking It.
Join over 50,000 other savvy moms who’ve simplified dinner time!
[…] Caribbean Citrus Chicken – I absolutely love the flavors in this dump recipe! It calls for just drumsticks, but you can use skinless chicken thighs as well. Citrus from lime juice and orange juice plus garlic and onions make this recipe super tasty! […]