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This Costa Vida Chicken only needs 5 ingredients and it is easily made in the crock pot. Use it on tacos, enchiladas, burritos, salads, tostadas or nachos!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
Costa Vida is one my favorite places to eat when I am visiting my children in Utah. I have even shared a recipe for their Steak Tacos here which are delicious too! This chicken is another copycat recipe from the same restaurant and tastes just like the real thing. I no longer have to go to Utah to get my Costa Vida fix!
5 Ingredients Needed
- Chicken breasts, skinless, boneless
- Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing
- Garlic
- Cumin
- Chili Powder
How to Make Costa Vida Chicken
- Place chicken in the slow cooker
- Sprinkle chicken with garlic, cumin and chili powder.
- Cover with Italian Dressing.
- Add lid to crockpot and cook on low for 4 hours.
- Shred meat and cook 1 additional hour.
How to Use Costa Vida Chicken
Burrito: Combine chicken, rice, your choice of beans along with some cheese in a large flour tortilla. Wrap up burrito style. You can also serve it “smothered,” covered with enchilada sauce and shredded cheese. Place under the broiler to melt the cheese.
Enchiladas: Wrap the chicken and cheese in a corn tortilla. Place in a baking dish and cover with enchilada sauce and more cheese. Bake in a 350 degree F oven until heated through and cheese is bubbly.
Quesadillas: Place some chicken and cheese between two corn or flour tortillas. Cook in a large skillet until the cheese is melted and tortilla begins to lightly brown.
Salad: Place a flour or corn tortilla on a plate. Add chicken, lettuce, cheese, pico, guacamole and or sour cream.Serve with tomatillo dressing.
Pair this with:
- Corn Tortillas
- Flour Tortillas
- Lime Cilantro Rice
- Mexican Rice
- Cafe Rio Black Beans
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same as Cafe Rio Shredded Chicken?
It is very similar, yes!
How long will it last?
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it will last 3-4 days, after that I recommend freezing it.
Can I make this in the Instant Pot?
It will work great in the instant pot. Just add all the ingredients into the Instant Pot. Cover and set the pressure cooker lid valve to “sealing.” Pressure cook on high for 10 minutes, followed by a 5 minute natural release and then do a quick release. Remove chicken and shred.
Enjoy these other crockpot meals too including:
Be sure and follow me over on You Tube for weekly cooking demos.
Cafe Rio Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts skinless, boneless
- 16 oz. Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 Tbsp cumin
Instructions
- Add chicken to crockpot. Sprinkle with chili powder, cumin and garlic.
- Cover with Italian Dressing. Cover crockpot and cook on low for 4 hours.
- Shred meat and cook 1 additional hour.
Michelle says
I just found your site when looking for Costa Vida recipe. I am actually am single so no family to feed, but I want to be prepared for that day by practicing on my roommates. I love Costa Vida (I live near one) but I wanted to see how I could do. I have never used a crock pot before, but luckily one of my roommates does have one. Just wanted to say thanks I will try it out this week!
I think this site is great!
Sylvia says
This is very delicious and the chicken is soooo tender! It is also yummy as leftovers. By the way, Sam’s has carried the uncooked tortillas for years – find them in the area where all the grated cheeses are. Safeway also carries them, though in a small package. Thank you for this great recipe – I will use it often.
Jeni Murphy says
Oh my goodness! I love Cafe Rio/Costa Vida! You can buy their tortillas, freshly made right there in their restaurant.
Rhonda says
Someone sent me the recipes from Cafe Rio in an email. I have yet to try them. Now, I have some real authority and definitely will tackle this.
In the 3 weeks in Utah, I only hit Cafe Rio once. Amazing, I know!
Leigh Anne says
Jessica »
If the chicken is thawed I cook it on high for four hours. If I want to put it in first thing in the morning and cook it longer I’ll put the chicken in frozen and cook in on low for 8 hours. Enjoy!