GET NEW RECIPES IN YOUR INBOX →

Slow Cooker Chicken with Lime and Couscous

5 from 2 votes

This Slow Cooker Chicken with lime and couscous recipe is so easy to make and it has a ton of flavors! It's so hearty, and loaded healthy veggies! The perfect chicken dinner for busy weeknights!

Today I am going to share one of my favorite chicken recipes, Slow cooker Chicken with lime and couscous. Cooking chicken in a slow cooker is one of my favorite cooking methods as it gives food a taste that cannot be found through other methods.

slow cooker lime chicken

This crock-pot chicken dish uses simple ingredients that you can find in your pantry. The chicken is seasoned with a blend of paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, coriander, cumin, and lime.

To make it even healthier, I added some fresh veggies, which also boosts the flavor of the lime chicken.

Now let’s talk about the preparation and cooking process.

This slow cooker chicken recipe requires a small amount of preparation. It involves chopping the garlic, slicing the veggies, and searing or browning the chicken thighs.

Browning the chicken is a crucial component of many chicken recipes. By browning the outside, you are ensuring a crispy exterior that will protect the meat underneath and provide a nice texture. It gives the dish a bit of a more complex flavor and adds some color for presentation.

slow cooker lime chicken

I browned the chicken for about 5 minutes on each side before adding it to the slow cooker. You may skip this step, it’s entirely up to you and definitely not necessary.

The Preparation:

  • Rinse chicken (if needed); pat dry with paper towels.
  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and season with salt/pepper.
  • Add chicken pieces to hot oil in a single layer without crowding.
  • Sear the chicken thighs for about 5-6 minutes on each side or until the skin has a nice golden brown color.

The Slow Cooking Process:

Here are some important steps to follow while cooking this chicken with lime and couscous in an instant pot.

  • Place fresh vegetables on the bottom of the slow cooker.
  • Combine chicken broth and white wine, pour on top of vegetables.
  • Put the seared chicken thighs on top of the vegetables.
  • Cover and cook for 3 hours on high heat or 6-7 hours on low heat (Or until the internal temperature should register 165 degrees F).


slow cooker lime chicken

How to Cook the Couscous:

The first thing you may notice about this recipe is that that it has couscous. Couscous is delicious, and versatile in texture.  Couscous can be eaten as a side dish, salad, or use it in place of rice or quinoa. It also offers a wide variety of health benefits: good source of protein, fiber, and essential vitamins, such as B vitamin. On that note I should mention that I cook this recipe in two ways:

slow cooker lime chicken

  1. For heartier result: Cook the couscous together with other ingredients right inside the slow cooker
  2. For less starchy results: Cook the couscous separately. Quickly rinse the cooked couscous with cold water to remove starch, then pour into the Crock- Pot® slow cooker before serving. 

Note: If you choose for option 2, you may want to cut the amount of chicken broth in half (or only ¼ cup of chicken broth)

Hope you'd enjoy this Slow Cooker Chicken with Lime and Couscous recipe! Don't forget to come back and rate this recipe!

📖 Recipe

Slow Cooker Lime Chicken

Posh Journal
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours
Course Main Course
Cuisine Middle East
Servings 6
Calories 177 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 6 pieces chicken thighs, skin-on (about 3 pounds)
  • 1 ½ tablespoon olive oil
  • salt/pepper for browning the chicken
  • 1 cup dried Israeli Couscous

Produce/Vegetables:

  • 1 cup fresh small carrots
  • 1 cup fresh julienned red bell pepper
  • 1 medium-sized red onion, (cut into big chunks)
  • 7 cloves garlic, (finely chopped)

Spice Mixture:

Broth Base:

  • ½ cup chicken broth , (Note: use only ¼ cup chicken broth if you want to cook the Israeli Couscous separately)
  • 2 tablespoon dry white wine

Instructions
 

Browning the Chicken:

  • Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and season with salt/pepper.
  • Sear the chicken thighs for about 5-6 minutes on each side or until the skin has a nice golden brown color.
  • Transfer to a large bowl and mix in the spices mixture and lime juice. Be sure to rub mixture over both sides of the chicken.

Cooking in a Slow Cooker:

  • Place fresh vegetables (bell pepper, carrots, red onion, garlic cloves): on the bottom of Crock-Pot® slow cooker.
  • Combine chicken broth and white wine, pour on top of vegetables. (please see notes)
  • Put the seared chicken thighs on top of the vegetables.
  • Cover and Cook for 3 hours on high heat or 6-7 hours on low heat (Or until the internal temperature should register 165 degrees F)

Adding Couscous:

  • Option 1: Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove the lid and add uncooked couscous into the slow cooker. Add a bit extra broth if necessary. Cover and cook for 30 minutes longer or until couscous is cooked.
  • Option 2: Cook the couscous separately. Quickly rinse the cooked couscous with cold water to remove starch, then pour into the slow cooker before serving. (please see notes).

Notes

Note: If you choose for option 2, you may want to cut the amount of chicken broth in half (use only ¼ cup of chicken broth)

Nutrition

Calories: 177kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 5gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 483mgPotassium: 222mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 3908IUVitamin C: 36mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 1mg
Love the Recipe? Let Us Know!Your feedback means the world to us! If you enjoyed our recipe and want to support our website, please take a moment to rate the recipe!

Comments

    5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

    Did you like this recipe? Leave a star rating! I'd appreciate it!

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Liz Mays says

    Oh wow, this sounds like such a good comfort meal and a great use of couscous. I know I'd like these flavors.

  2. Kate | My Mommy Brain says

    Yum!!! That sounds amazing. Couscous and chicken is a favorite combo! I will definitely give this recipe a try. I have the same Crock-Pot and love it so much. I use it all year (it's great in the summer when I don't want to turn on the oven!).

  3. Dawn McAlexander says

    That looks really good! We use our Crock Pot almost daily here. As a matter of fact, we made Crock Pot mac and cheese just yesterday and we are making chili beans tonight!

  4. Kathleen Kennedy-Leon says

    We love to use our crock pot. and having new ideas to is always appreciated. This looks like a great combo-haven't tried couscous and chicken as yet--it's next

  5. Jenn Mitchell (@comebackmomma) says

    My mouth is watering. This looks so amazing! I need to use our slow cooker more often.

  6. MryJhnsn (@mryjhnsn) says

    I once hated my crock pot but I love it now. This makes me want to break it out again and make this.

  7. Jasmine Watts says

    Yumm... This looks so delicious!! I love using the slow cooker whenever I can!

  8. Mindi says

    5 stars
    This has become one of my family's favorite meals. I tend to tweak the vegetables to use up things in the refrigerator. Today there's a zucchini mixed in with everything else. Definitely give this one a try.

    • Rika Livingston says

      I am so glad to hear that Mindi! I appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback!