Here's a recipe for a slow-cooked chicken carnitas bowl to fill you up. It's great layered in salads, with fixings like salsa, pico de gallo, and cauliflower rice, and it is so tender and flavorful.
You may catch me saying I don't eat meat (except for fish), but I taste everything I make, mostly for the flavor and texture. And in a few instances, when the meat is almost irresistible, I have more than a taste.
So I've tasted this recipe several times and I'm in love with the flavor blend of orange, lime, and chili spices. I'm currently trying to figure out how to use the marinade in a veggie dish (and I'm open to suggestions). This carnitas recipe was inspired by Closet Cooking's recipe here. One thing I also do is make extra marinade since I love to cover the chicken and rice with the dark, tangy sauce left after removing the chicken from the slow cooker to shred. You'll see what I mean.
This bowl is just one example of how to serve slow-cooked carnitas. It can also play a starring role in quesadillas, tortillas, wraps, and it goes great on top of chili lime cauliflower rice or Spanish rice.
For the bowl in the photos, I made chili lime cauliflower rice and a simple Pico de Gallo (recipe follows). Some more elements that go great with this bowl are avocado slices or guacamole, sour cream or yogurt, and a dash of hot sauce. Enjoy!
Jody Hernandez says
This is such a delicious yet simple and healthy dish! Charring bits of the shredded chicken in the broiler makes it even better. I slow-cook it on the stove for a few hours since I'm home anyways and can check on it. Thank you so much.
Thanks, Jody. Love the idea of charring the small pieces even further!
Jackie says
You are Amazing! Thanks for this recipe.
Erica says
ha, thanks!
Sandra says
Erica, I thank you everyday for your delicious recipes. This recipe is so good that I always double so we will have plenty. My daughter's health improvements since I started cooking from your cookbook and the website has stunned her doctors - she has UC. The SCD diet has truly changed her life. Sandra
Erica says
Aw, so so good to hear. So happy for you and your daughter. Best always, Erica
Lisa says
I am lazy. I just roast the chicken. Love this.
Connie says
I am currently making a second batch of this recipe. First was only done less than two weeks ago, and my husband requested it again. I might add I only had a fork full of the first batch, the rest was either his dinner or leftover lunches. So good and so easy.
Erica says
Thanks! Yes, I double the batch now. 🙂
Carol says
This looks fabulous, so perfect for those family get-togethers - yum!
Erica says
Yes, thanks 🙂 - and double the recipe to feed a big group or a small group with a big appetite (or have leftovers)!
Barbara says
This looks amazing and I can't wait to try it. One question though, do you cook the chicken on high or low?
Erica says
low, on the slow-cook setting if you're using a multi-purpose cooker or dutch oven. Btw, I use an Instant Pot on the slow cook setting, here: http://astore.amazon.com/comfybelly-20/detail/B006E7I7MG
Liz@Virtually Homemade says
This looks beyond delicious! Great gluten dairy free dinner.
Erica says
Thanks Liz! I bring this dish to work because it's so easy to pack (for me it's a pile of rice, salsa, and the sauce since I don't eat the chicken, and it's still good!). It makes a great picnic lunch or dinner, too!
katy says
This looks so good. This is exactly the kind of thing that makes people fall into eating meat! I love it!
I'm making your cinnamon bun muffins again, and came here while they're baking to get info on buying the coconut flour baking book. Your chicken is completely distracting me.
Erica says
Ha, thanks Katy! So true about the meat temptation.