Slow Cooker Cafe Rio Shredded Chicken

I love a good crockpot recipe, but I kind of need a new crock.  On most days, I’m gone from the house for at least 12 hours.  I leave the house at about 6:30am and I get home around the same time (or later.)

That makes me nervous about setting up the Crockpot before I leave.  Is 12 hours too long??  I don’t know what I’d come home to if I left chicken in there that long.  It would probably redefine the “fall-apart” effect that you have when you do slow cooking and take it to a whole new level.

That being said, I’ve been only using my crock on the weekends.  I think I may get one of those crocks with a timer so that I can use it during the week… jury’s still out on that and it’s just a nice-to-have.  Maybe that will be on my Christmas list!  We’ll see….

Last weekend, I fired up the crock to make some additional Cafe Rio goodness.  How about chicken tacos??

Cafe Rio has a HUGE following and there are many bloggers out there who’ve posted copycat recipes.  Last week, I shared with you their famous salad dressing recipe.  You might remember it… and my crazy confession that I could probably drink it with a straw.  Know that I did NOT test that theory, and that I ate more salad than I have in a long time.  Yum-O.

Cafe Rio Creamy Tomatillo Dressing

This week, I’ll give you the recipe for their shredded chicken.  Combine the two together over lettuce… and you’ll have the most amazing Mexi-Salad.  If you prefer to stuff it in tortillas with toppings, you’ve got tacos.  Smash it between tortillas with a little cheese and you’ve got a quesadilla.

I think you get it.  The possibilities are endless.  Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Cafe Rio Shredded Chicken

By Chef in Training

INGREDIENTS

Your chicken will be super tender and deliciously fragrant when it’s done.

4.  Shred the chicken with a fork, or shred it like I did.

I read a LOT of blogs and via Pinterest, and often find myself so many new places on the web.  I wish I could remember where I found this idea so I could give the blogger credit, but I honestly have no idea.  But, I thank the brilliant blogger… this was a fun one!

Rather than using a fork, remove the chicken to a bowl, and get your mixer out!  It’s amazing how quickly the mixer shreds the chicken.  Easy peezy!!!

Adding power tools is ALWAYS more fun!

Look how great that looks. Done in seconds!

I moved the chicken back into the crockpot after I shredded it so it could mix back in with the juices produced during the cooking process

I ate this chicken all week long… I made salads, I ate some with vegetables.  I’m sure it would make insane tacos, burritos, and enchiladas.  I also froze about half of the chicken in the freezer to enjoy at a later time.

If you try this one, please let me know what you think.  I love LOVED these… and have a feeling you will too.  Cafe Rio… I heart you.