Chicken Carnitas Recipe
Savor the rich, flavorful goodness of our Chicken Carnitas Recipe — tender, juicy, and perfect for tacos, burritos, or enjoying straight from the pan!
Ingredients
- 4 lbs 1.81 kg boneless skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
- 6 cloves garlic peeled and smashed
- 3/4 cup 186 g fresh squeezed orange juice (about 2 oranges)
- 1/4 cup 60.5 g 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
- Romaine lettuce or tortillas or other sturdy lettuce
- Chopped cilantro
- Sliced avocado
- Sliced jalapenos
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Prep the garlic and mix the orange juice, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and chipotle powder in a bowl. Set aside.
- Place the chicken in the Instant Pot or slow cooker. Add the smashed garlic. Pour the carnitas sauce over the chicken and mix well to coat.
- For Instant Pot: Close the lid, set the valve to seal, and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. Quick release the pressure once done.
- For Slow Cooker: Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
- Shred the cooked chicken using two forks.
- Serve the chicken carnitas in bowls, lettuce wedges, or tortillas with your favorite toppings.
- Optional for crispy carnitas: Preheat the oven to broil. Transfer the shredded chicken to a sheet pan, pour the cooking juices over it, and broil for 7-10 minutes until crispy, mixing halfway through.
Notes
Notes:
For a smokier flavor, you can add a touch of smoked paprika to the carnitas sauce.
For a smokier flavor, you can add a touch of smoked paprika to the carnitas sauce.