Crock Pot Cafe Rio Chicken Copycat

Enjoy the delicious flavors of Cafe Rio at home with this easy and flavorful crockpot Cafe Rio chicken recipe. We’ve included a step-by-step video instructions for a perfect copycat dish!

This chicken dinner recipe tastes just like Cafe Rio’s recipe for shredded chicken. It’s a great dinner idea to take to someone who may need a family friendly meal. It is delicious served with cilantro lime rice and topped with creamy tomatillo cilantro ranch dressing. Use it for a salad, tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, or a chicken taco salad. It’s so versatile!

Ok, so if you live in Utah there are probably 3 Mexican fast food chains that you try to copy their chicken or pork. (Mostly the sweet pork, but I’ll do that one later.) This copycat Cafe Rio Chicken recipe is seriously so good and if you don’t want to do a salad then turn it into a burrito!!

This chicken is one of those life saver crock pot (slow cooker) recipes. Kinda like this regular Crock Pot Chicken. I love that you can throw everything together in less than 5 minutes, let it cook all day and then feel like a hero as you serve it to your family. The only thing you really need to watch out for is how darn much the recipe makes.

Scale that sucker back! It’s too much chicken for just our little family! However, that usually means it’s a great opportunity to invite someone over or to surprise a neighbor with dinner. And I’m definitely all about that. It also freezes well to save for another night!

Ingredients for Cafe Rio Chicken

You only need 5 ingredients to make this delicious chicken recipe! And you literally toss it all in the slow cooker let it cook. Here is the ingredients list:

• Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing: I know this is super specific but it’s just the right flavor for this recipe. Avoid the fat free dressing.
• Cumin: adds flavor
• Chili Powder: adds flavor and a little heat
• Garlic: adds flavor
• Chicken Breasts: boneless skinless chicken
• Creamy Tomatillo Cilantro Ranch Dressing: easy to make and so delicious
• Cilantro Lime Rice: the perfect complimenting flavors to this chicken

The measurements and details for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

How to Make Crock Pot Cafe Rio Chicken

With only 5 minutes of prep time, dinner couldn’t be easier! Here are the steps for making this recipe followed by a video so you can see it all come together.

1. Mix: Place the chicken in the crock pot. Stir all the rest of the ingredients together in a small bowl and pour it over the chicken.
2. Cook: Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 4 hours.
3. Shred: Remove the chicken (leaving the juices in the crockpot) to a cutting board and shred using two forks.
4. Cook: Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and combine with the juices. Let it cook on low for another hour.
5. Serve: Serve over copycat cilantro lime rice, as a burrito or salad with tomatillo cilantro ranch dressing.

These instructions can also be found in the recipe card below. You can also save or print the recipe there.

Watch the Full Video Here:

How to Serve Cafe Rio Chicken

If you want to serve this chicken just like they do at Cafe Rio when you order a shredded chicken salad (my personal favorite), this is what you do:

1. Cook an uncooked flour tortilla (or better yet, make your own homemade flour tortillas) and place it on a plate or shallow bowl.
2. Add a scoop of the cilantro lime rice and a scoop of tasty black beans and spread them over around the tortilla.
3. Top the rice and beans with the shredded chicken. Then top with chopped romaine lettuce, some pico de gallo (or your favorite salsa), a scoop of homemade guacamole, crispy tortilla strips, a piece of cilantro, some cotija cheese, a lime wedge and of course, the creamy tomatillo cilantro ranch dressing.

It is an absolute heavenly combination of flavors and textures! I’ve never met a person who doesn’t loved it. All my kids gobble it up and I get asked for the recipe all the time.

Don’t limit yourself to a salad. Load up a burrito with this chicken, spread it over nachos, add it to a Mexican rice bowl, use it as filling for chicken enchiladas or chicken tacos! It’s so versatile and fabulous!

Can I Make this Recipe with Chicken Thighs?

I wouldn’t recommend using chicken thighs for this recipe. Thighs just don’t shred quite the same as chicken breasts do.

Hack for Shredding Chicken

I have a super easy way to shred chicken that will save you some time and shred the chicken perfectly but it will dirty an extra bowl. Trade offs…there are always trade offs! After the initial 4 hours of cooking, place the chicken breasts in the bowl of a stand mixer and shred the chicken using the paddle attachment. It should only take a minute or so and your chicken will be shredded to perfection. Place the chicken back to the crock pot and continue with the recipe as written.

How to Make Cafe Rio Chicken in an Instant Pot

This copycat Café Rio shredded chicken recipe could totally be made in an instant pot as well. To make chicken in an instant pot, add all the ingredients to the instant pot, set it to the poultry setting for about 6 minutes, release the pressure and serve! If the breasts are frozen you’ll want to increase the time to 10 minutes.

Storing and Reheating

Leftover Cafe Rio shredded chicken should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for 4-5 days. You can also store leftovers in the freezer. Let it cool completely and then place it in a ziploc bag or better yet, use a food saver to store it. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To reheat it, use the slow cooker or place it in a baking dish and cover it with foil. Add a little water or chicken broth and heat it at 300 degrees F for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.

Recreate your favorite Cafe Rio chicken at home with this easy and delicious crockpot recipe. Perfect for meal prep and busy weeknights, this copycat recipe is sure to be a hit with the whole family. I’m confident it will be added to your list of favorite recipes!

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