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Green Chile Chicken is not only delicious but it is versatile and easy since it is done in the crock pot. You only need 5 minutes to prep and 6 ingredients. Use it in a salad, tacos or even a quesadilla for an easy and yummy dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
On one of my frequent visits to Utah, my niece Emily introduced me to Bajio Mexican Grill. She told me I had to try the Bajio Chicken Chile Salad and she was right. After I had it the first time, I came home and got right to work to create a copycat version.
This chicken is full of flavor and just the right about of sweetness. I love serving it on a salad topped with my Creamy Tomatillo Dressing, but it works just as well in a taco, burrito, or quesadilla. Just fill them with all of your favorite toppings.
Ingredients Needed
- Chicken breasts, skinless, boneless
- Salsa
- Cumin
- Brown Sugar. I used light brown sugar
- Green Chilies, diced
- Sprite or any lemon lime soda
- Cornstarch, optional
- Cilantro, optional for garnish
How to Make Green Chile Chicken
- Combine all ingredients except for the cornstarch in a crock pot.
- Cook on low for 4-5 hours.
- Remove chicken and shred chicken with two forks.
- Return chicken to crock pot and cook for one more hour.
- Thicken the juices if needed by mixing together cornstarch and water and stir in. It will thicken up during the last hour of cooking.
- Serve on a salad or in a taco.
- Sprinkle with cilantro, avocado and cotija cheese if desired.
- Salt and pepper to taste
Tips from leigh Anne
- Return the chicken to the crockpot after shredding for an hour. I drained off the juice and added a mixture of cornstarch and water to it to thicken it up.
- After shredding the chicken, check for sweetness and add more brown sugar to the sauce if you want it a bit sweeter.
- If you prefer more heat to your food, substitute jalepeños for the diced green chiles.
Pair This With:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make green chile chicken spicier?
If you want it spicer rather than sweeter add a hotter salsa and more green chilies or some jalapeños.
Can I use chicken thighs?
If you prefer, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
How long will leftovers last?
Keep any leftovers stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Some of my other favorite Mexican dishes:
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Shredded Green Chile Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts skinless, boneless
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1 Tbsp cumin
- 1/2 cup brown sugar more to taste
- 4 oz. diced green chilies
- 6 oz. Sprite or any lemon lime soda
- 3 Tbsp cornstarch optional for thickening
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a crock pot.
- Cook on low for 4-5 hours.
- Remove chicken and shred.
- Return to crock pot, thicken and cook for one more hour.
- Thicken the juices if needed by mixing together cornstarch and water and stir in. It will thicken up during the last hour of cooking.
- Serve on a salad or in a taco.
- If you want it spicer rather than sweeter add a hotter salsa and more green chilies.
Tips & Notes:
- Return the chicken to the crockpot after shredding for an hour. I drained off the juice and added a mixture of cornstarch and water to it to thicken it up.
- After shredding the chicken, check for sweetness and add more brown sugar if you want it a bit sweeter.
- By thickening up the liquid you really don’t even need to add salad dressing to this if using in a salad. The sweet glaze from the chicken acts as a salad dressing. If you want to add dressing the Creamy Tomatillo Dressing is perfect on this salad.
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Nutrition Facts:
Jane says
Thank you for this recipe, this salad is one of my favorites. I made this again tonight and we loved it. I posted it on my cooking blog with a link to yours, I hope you don’t mind. There are so many recipes on your blog I have on my list to try. Thanks for a great blog!
Connie says
The green chili salad just isn’t the same for me without the Bajio vinegarette. Any ideas on where to get this recipie?
Melanie L. says
I am from Utah and just moved to Califonia where they don’t have Bajio. I have been having major “Chicken green chili salad” withdrawl. Thanks for the recipe.:)
Heidi says
When I was in the process of making up my Pillsbury Bakeoff finalist recipe a few years ago, I couldn’t find tortilla strips either. So I submitted the recipe with the homemade version. I’ve always had trouble making them come out consistent, and the competition day was no different in that respect :P. Of course, right after I got home, I noticed that Smith’s began carrying them. And today I saw them at a different local grocery store. Next time you’re in Utah, fill your suitcase!
Kami Shaw says
I made this on Sunday, and it exceeded my expectations 100%. I am so excited about all of the things that I could make with this yummy chicken.