Oh man, you’re in for a treat with this Slow-Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken! As usual, this is a set-it-and-forget-it recipe with just a few small steps at the end.
I tried to make this dish taste like the Fiesta Lime Chicken at Applebee’s, but I wanted it to be super easy and also a little bit healthier.
The result is a tangy, flavourful dish that bursts with fresh, zesty goodness in every bite.
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and meal prepping, as the chicken can be easily used in wraps, salads, or served over rice.
Plus, this homemade version allows you to control the ingredients and customize the flavors to your liking, ensuring a delicious and wholesome meal for you and your family.
Key Takeaways
- Cook Time: High – 4 hours
- Main Ingredients: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, onion, lime, chicken bouillon, cilantro, and more
- Servings: 4
- Extras: Serve this over cilantro lime rice, zoodles, tortillas (taco night perfection!), and more
- Tip: For a spicier version, add some diced jalapeño or hot sauce to the slow cooker; for a creamier sauce, add cheese and Greek yogurt for more flavor and richness
Simple Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe
Even though there is a cream sauce, the entire dish is made with just 1/2 cup of half and half plus 1 Tbsp of butter, which serves at least 4 people.
But just that little bit of creaminess goes so well with the tangy but acidic fresh lime juice.
When you’re preparing your chicken, make sure to butterfly them lengthwise – no one likes a giant, super thick piece of chicken, right?
Trust me, you want a high ratio of yummy sauce per each bit of chicken.
Serve it with a nice green vegetable and some rice. Rice soaks up that sauce really well!
Pour over plenty of sauce and top the chicken with the extra lime sliced into wedges and with lime zest if you want extra acidity in the dish.
Recipe Swaps
One of the best things about this Cilantro Lime Chicken recipe is its versatility. You can easily tweak it to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs.
These modifications ensure everyone can enjoy an absolutely delicious meal.
The Meat
Swapping the chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs is an excellent way to enjoy richer, darker meat in this recipe.
Chicken thighs have a bit more fat, which can make the dish more succulent and flavorful. Plus, they retain their moisture better during the slow cooking process, resulting in a more tender bite.
If you prefer a lighter option, you can substitute the chicken breasts with turkey breast cutlets. Turkey has a slightly different flavor profile but still pairs beautifully with the cilantro lime sauce.
For those following a plant-based diet, consider using firm tofu or tempeh as a meat substitute.
Both options absorb the cilantro lime marinade well, providing a tasty alternative while keeping the dish vegan-friendly.
The Sauce
If you want a saucier take on cilantro lime chicken, you can easily adjust the sauce to suit your taste.
Consider adding a bit more chicken broth or chicken bouillon cubes and water or even incorporating some additional lime juice for an extra tangy kick.
Alternatively, swapping or adding fresh lemon or orange juice to the fresh lime juice can infuse the sauce with a different citrus zest.
If you’re not a fan of cilantro, you can swap it out for fresh parsley or basil for a different flavor profile.
To take your cilantro lime chicken to the next level, add a handful of shredded cheese in the last 15 minutes of cooking.
If you prefer a creamier sauce, use Greek yogurt or sour cream instead of half and half.
Spice It Up
If you enjoy a bit of heat in your meals, there are several ways to add a spicy kick to your Cilantro Lime Chicken.
Adding more red pepper flakes not only adds more heat but also a depth of flavor that complements the tangy lime and fresh cilantro.
Alternatively, hot sauce is an excellent addition. A few dashes of your favorite hot sauce mixed into the sauce or drizzled over the finished dish can provide a lovely balance of heat and flavor.
Sriracha, chipotle, or even a splash of jalapeño hot sauce can bring a unique flair to the recipe.
These variations will change the overall profile of the dish, adding a unique twist to the original recipe.
Serve It Up
As for serving suggestions, this versatile Cilantro Lime Chicken pairs well with a range of sides.
I suggest rice, which you can cook and season however you like; but with cilantro lime chicken, how could you not make cilantro lime rice to match?? Yum!
Besides rice, you can use it as a filling for tacos or burritos, toss it into a leafy green salad for a refreshing meal, or mix it with quinoa for a protein-packed, wholesome bowl.
For a low-carb option, try serving your cilantro lime chicken with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
The options are endless, so get creative and see what tasty combinations you can come up with!
Other Slow Cooker Recipes
And if you like this one, you might be interested in 40 other slow cooker dump recipes that are AMAZING!
FAQs
Does lime juice affect how chicken cooks?
The acidity in lime juice can help tenderize the chicken, making it more succulent and easier to shred.
However, too much lime juice can also lead to the chicken becoming tough or dry, so it’s important to follow the recipe measurements carefully.
Is lime tasty with chicken dishes?
Absolutely! Lime adds a bright, tangy flavor to chicken dishes, and it pairs well with other ingredients like cilantro and garlic.
It also helps balance out richer or heavier sauces.
What sides go well with cilantro lime chicken?
This chicken dish pairs well with a variety of sides, such as rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad.
You can also use the chicken in wraps or sandwiches for a quick and easy meal option.
I also like making easy burrito bowls using cilantro lime chicken. Start with a base of rice or quinoa, then add black beans, corn, diced bell peppers, and sliced onions.
Top with shredded cilantro lime chicken, fresh salsa, guacamole, and a sprinkle of cheese. Yum!
Do I have to use chicken breasts for cilantro lime chicken?
No, you can use any type of chicken for this recipe, such as boneless, skinless chicken thighs or drumsticks.
Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the cut of chicken used.
Can I cook cilantro lime chicken on the stove?
Yes, you can make a similar version of this dish on the stovetop by cooking chicken in a skillet and adding lime juice, cilantro, and other seasonings.
You can marinade the chicken for 1 hour or longer (even overnight) to really infuse those flavors, making the seasonings and lime juice into a sauce in a Ziploc bag.
I suggest a cast iron skillet and olive oil for the chicken to get a nice sear, and you only need to cook them for 7-10 minutes per side (if you don’t butterfly your chicken breasts).
However, using a slow cooker allows for a more hands-off approach and results in tender, flavourful chicken.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it – Applebee’s can move over because this easy slow-cooker cilantro lime chicken recipe is here to steal the spotlight.
Not only is it incredibly simple to make, but it’s also healthier and more cost-effective than dining out.
By cooking at home, you control the quality of the ingredients and tweak the flavors to suit your palate.
Whether served over rice, integrated into wraps, or accompanied by a vibrant vegetable side, this dish promises a delicious and satisfying meal that’s bound to become a family favorite.
Say goodbye to pricey restaurant meals and enjoy the comfort of homemade goodness with this easy cilantro lime chicken recipe!
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts butterflied in half
- 1/4 of an onion minced
- 1 lime save lime zest for serving
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or 1 tsp dried cilantro
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- a pinch of red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup half and half
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1 Tbsp corn starch
Instructions
- Place the onions in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Top with chicken.
- Top the chicken with all other ingredients except the half and half and corn starch.
- Cut the lime in half and juice one of the halves into the slow cooker. It should be about 1 Tbsp of lime juice.
- Cook on high for 4 hours (or medium for 6, low for 8)
- Remove chicken from the slow cooker and cover to keep warm.
- In a small sauce pan, whisk together the corn starch and half and half.
- Heat over medium heat, whisking often until it bubbles and thickens, and then add in the butter and whisk it in as it melts.
- Add the thickened half and half to the liquid in the slow cooker and blend well.
- Close the lid and let the sauce cook for 5 minutes.
- Serve chicken. Top with sauce and garnish with additional cilantro, lime wedges from the other half of a lime, and lime zest if you like.
This recipe needs a little work. You had us add all the ingredients in step 3, then said in step 4, only add a tbsp of lime. Also, in the list of items not to add yet with the half and half, should be the butter. I read through the recipe once before cooking it but forgot about the step 4 change. I put in an entire lime. I hope it isn’t ruined 🙁
Hi! Do you have nutritional info?
Unfortunately, no I don’t.
I made this and even my picky kids liked it!
Awesome Chris! Thanks 🙂
I am not usually a fan of cilantro but my husband is. So I made this mainly for him. OMG it was soooooooooo good. Thank you so much. Your recipes are awesome. We’ve made 3 so far. I put my ingredients in my InstaPot (pressure cooker setting) because I never remember to put them in crockpot before work and food is usually done in an hour or less.
Jessica, I just got an InstaPot for Christmas and I’m still trying to figure it out and properly modify crockpot recipes to work in it. How long do you set your InstaPot for this recipe? I’ve done a couple of recipes now and the meat always seems to be tough. I’ve read that, with an InstaPot, the cooking times need to be longer than the recipe states in order to avoid tough meat. Thank you for your help!
For chicken breasts, especially if you cut into a few chunks, it shouldn’t take more than 8 minutes or so, but remember, when you cook meat, you have to let the cooker come back to pressure naturally, so that your meat will stay moist and tender. Letting the steam out all at once makes it tough.
Agree with Amy B. I added in the butter because I forgot that you are supposed to add it later. Luckily I realized it before I turned on the slow cooker, so I was able to pluck the butter lump out to save for later… but the recipe could certainly be written more clearly.
EDIT: now that I’ve actually made the dish… the half and half and corn starch need to be on LOW to keep from turning into a gloopy disgusting mess. The second time, it worked.
The flavor of this dish is very good, but there is not NEARLY enough sauce. Next time I would double the amount of liquid but keep the amount of chicken the same. Also, this might be because I used dried cilantro instead of fresh, but I dumped in an extra 1/2tsp and I can barely taste it.
Great tasting chicken, the only thing is I can’t seem to get the sauce right. I’ve made this recipe twice and my sauce always clumps up into little balls and doesn’t thicken. What am I doing wrong?
I had the same problem! Cook it on VERY LOW heat, and remove it from the heat the second it starts to look even *slightly* thicker.
Maybe try using less cornstarch?
I made this dish and my family loved it. Put it with some yellow rice and they were going for Seconds. Thanks for the recipe. I added the whole lime.
Lovely recipe, thank you & will definately add it to favourite list (I am new to slow cooking). I also added butter at start. And then saw I needed some more at end to thicken half & half sauce. Was no problem, only noticed my mistake after reading others reviews ..
Yemenis, I used my handwisk to smooth out any lumps. Hope this helps
I never leave comments on recipes, but this one of the best meals I’ve ever made!! And so easy! The flavor is out of this world! I missed that the butter was meant to be used in the saucepan, so mine ended up with a tablespoon extra of butter, but I’m not mad about it! This recipe is outstanding! A new favorite!!
Thank you for the comment 🙂 I am so glad you love it!
Love this recipe! My wife and I made it last night with great results. One word of caution though…we left the lime wedges in the slow cooker and it kind of gave the chicken a bitter aftertaste. Totally our fault but live and learn I guess. Thanks for posting!
My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it so much!