Chicken Carnitas (Juicy & Crispy!) - Slow Cooker or Instant Pot

Name: Chicken Carnitas (Juicy & Crispy!) - Slow Cooker or Instant Pot
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 4 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs ((can sub chicken breasts)); 6 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed; 3/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice ((about 2 oranges)); 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice ((about 2 limes)); 1 tbsp cumin; 1 tbsp chili powder; 2 tsp oregano ((fresh or dried)); 2 tsp salt; 1 tsp chipotle powder

Instructions

Prep:10minCook:40min

For these chicken carnitas we use boneless skinless chicken thighs cooked down in fresh orange and lime juice with cumin, chili powder and chipotle. The slow cooker or Instant Pot does the work, then you shred the chicken and broil it so the edges turn crispy. Juicy shredded chicken that feeds a crowd, and the leftovers are amazing.

Updated at: Sun, 23 Aug 2026 01:18:10 GMT