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Shredded chicken carnitas served in a bowl with fresh cilantro and lime, perfect for Paleo Slow Cooker meals.

chicken carnitas (slow cooker or instant pot) – easy whole30 paleo dinner


  • Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

These chicken carnitas are a flavorful, tender, and versatile Whole30 and Paleo dinner option that can be made in a slow cooker or Instant Pot. Bright citrus juices, garlic, and spices infuse the chicken before it’s shredded and crisped for restaurant-style results.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 bay leaf (optional)

  • Instructions

    1. Whisk together lime juice, orange juice, garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.

    2. Place chicken in the slow cooker or Instant Pot insert and pour the marinade over it.

    3. For slow cooker: cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours. For Instant Pot: cook on high pressure for 12 minutes (thighs) or 10 minutes (breasts) with a 5-minute natural release.

    4. Remove chicken and shred with two forks, reserving cooking juices.

    5. Spread shredded chicken on a baking sheet, drizzle with oil, and broil for 5–7 minutes until edges crisp, stirring halfway.

    6. Serve warm with fresh toppings or store in an airtight container with cooking juices to keep moist.

    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 6 hours
    • Category: dinner
    • Method: slow cooker, instant pot
    • Cuisine: mexican

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1/2 cup
    • Calories: 250
    • Sugar: 2
    • Sodium: 400
    • Fat: 10
    • Saturated Fat: 2
    • Unsaturated Fat: 7
    • Trans Fat: 0
    • Carbohydrates: 5
    • Fiber: 1
    • Protein: 25
    • Cholesterol: 70

    Keywords: chicken carnitas, slow cooker carnitas, instant pot carnitas, whole30 dinner, paleo dinner, healthy carnitas, easy carnitas