Slow-Cooked Chipotle Chicken with Avocado
Tender shredded chicken simmered in smoky chipotle sauce, topped with creamy avocado slices for a satisfying weeknight meal. This mexican-inspired slow cooker ready in about 430 minutes turns skin removed boneless chicken thighs, diced white onion, minced garlic into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs, skin removed boneless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup diced white onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 medium diced avocado
- 1 tsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground cumin
Instructions
- Step 1: Place chicken thighs, diced onion, minced garlic, chipotle peppers, chicken broth, salt, and cumin in a slow cooker, stirring to combine.
- Step 2: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours until chicken is fork-tender and easily shreds.
- Step 3: Remove chicken from slow cooker, shred with two forks, and return to the pot with juices. Stir in lime juice, then serve topped with diced avocado and 2 tbsp chopped cilantro.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Chipotle Chicken with Avocado take to make?
Total time is about 430 minutes (10 min prep + 420 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Slow-Cooked Chipotle Chicken with Avocado?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Chipotle Chicken with Avocado?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow-Cooked Chipotle Chicken with Avocado for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Slow-Cooked Chipotle Chicken with Avocado?
Mexican slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and they devoured it! The slow cooker made it so easy.
- ★★★★★
Loved it! The chipotle flavor was perfect with the avocado.
- ★★★★☆
Great recipe, but the chipotle was a bit too mild for my taste.
