Crockpot Chicken Carnitas

orange juice

🥗Healthier: fresh orange juice

💰Cheaper: canned orange juice

Fresh juice enhances flavor while being cost-effective.

chicken thighs

🥗Healthier: chicken breast

💰Cheaper: chicken drumsticks

Breast is leaner, while drumsticks are usually cheaper.

jalapeño

🥗Healthier: bell pepper

💰Cheaper: banana pepper

Bell pepper is milder and often less expensive.

tortillas

🥗Healthier: whole wheat tortillas

💰Cheaper: store-brand tortillas

Whole wheat adds fiber, while store brands save money.

Slice and peel the yellow onion, then cut it into thick slices.

Place the sliced onion into the slow cooker (crock pot).

Sprinkle salt over the onions.

Measure 1/4 cup of hot tap water and add a spoonful of chicken base, stirring to dissolve.

Cut the orange in half and squeeze the juice into the measuring cup with the water.

Cut the lime in half and squeeze the juice into the measuring cup as well, adding about 2 tablespoons of lime juice.

Add 1 teaspoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika to the mixture, stirring to combine.

Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of cumin, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon of oregano, and 2 teaspoons of garlic powder to the mixture and stir well.

Layer 3 chicken thighs on top of the onions in the crock pot (bones in, skin removed).

Add a few pieces of the leftover orange and both halves of the lime on top of the chicken.

Pour the marinade mixture over the chicken thighs.

Sprinkle pepper on top of the chicken.

Turn the crock pot on high and cook for 3 1/2 hours, covered, or until the chicken is tender.

About 1 1/2 hours in, flip the chicken thighs over.

After 3 1/2 hours, check the chicken for tenderness; it should pull apart easily.

Remove the chicken thighs from the crock pot and shred the meat off the bone.

In a cast iron skillet, heat some oil.

Once the oil is hot, add corn tortillas to the skillet to sear them until brown, watching them closely.

Remove the tortillas and blot off excess oil.

Assemble the tortillas with the shredded chicken, onions, jalapeño, and cilantro as toppings.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: