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Tender Paleo chicken carnitas with lime wedges and herbs, a comforting Whole30 Carnitas Crockpot dish.

Easy Paleo Chicken Carnitas


  • Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes (Crockpot) or 40 minutes (Instant Pot)
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

These tender, citrus-infused chicken carnitas are perfect for Paleo and Whole30 diets, using either a Crockpot for slow cooking or an Instant Pot for a quick meal. Loaded with bright lime, garlic, and smoky spices, they make healthy weeknight dinners effortless and delicious.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
  • juice of 2 limes
  • juice of 1 orange
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • optional toppings: diced avocado, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, diced red onion

  • Instructions

    1. Pat chicken dry and place in the Crockpot or Instant Pot.

    2. Combine chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.

    3. Pour broth, lime juice, orange juice, and oil over the chicken then sprinkle with the spice mix.

    4. For Crockpot, cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or high for 3½ to 4 hours until the chicken shreds easily.

    5. For Instant Pot, seal and cook on high pressure for 12 minutes, then allow a 10-minute natural release.

    6. Remove chicken and shred with forks, then return to the pot to soak up remaining juices.

    7. Optional: spread shredded chicken on a baking sheet, drizzle with oil, and broil for 5 to 7 minutes until edges are crispy.

    8. Serve with toppings over cauliflower rice, in lettuce cups, or alongside roasted vegetables.

    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 6 hours (Crockpot) or 30 minutes (Instant Pot)
    • Category: dinner
    • Method: slow cooking or pressure cooking
    • Cuisine: mexican

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 cup
    • Calories: 280
    • Sugar: 2
    • Sodium: 600
    • Fat: 12
    • Saturated Fat: 2
    • Unsaturated Fat: 8
    • Trans Fat: 0
    • Carbohydrates: 5
    • Fiber: 1
    • Protein: 30
    • Cholesterol: 85

    Keywords: paleo chicken carnitas, easy paleo recipes, crockpot chicken, instant pot chicken, whole30 dinner, low carb dinner, gluten free, healthy mexican, meal prep