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A white bowl filled with shredded chicken sits on a wooden table, with bold text above reading "Copycat Cafe Rio Chicken Recipe.

Cafe Rio Chicken

A simple copycat of Cafe Rio chicken cooked in a slow cooker and used as the base for tacos, burritos or salads.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds of chicken breasts
  • 1 cup zesty Italian dressing*
  • 1 packet ranch dressing mix* mixed with 1/2 cup of water
  • 1/2 Tbsp. minced garlic
  • 1/2 Tbsp. chili powder
  • 1/2 Tbsp. ground cumin
  • 1 cup of water
  • Olive oil
For Toppings (optional)
  • Cilantro
  • Lime
  • Tomatoes
  • Lettuce
  • Avocados
  • Cheese
  • Salsa
  • Pico de gallo
  • Avocado
  • Cheese

Method
 

Preparing the Chicken
  1. First, coat the inside of the slow cooker with olive oil. Then add the chicken breasts.
  2. In a bowl, mix the zesty Italian dressing, minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, ranch dressing mix, and water. Pour this mixture on the chicken and cook on high for 3-4 hours, or low for 5-6.
  3. Monitor the chicken, and add water if needed. You want the water to at least cover the chicken.
  4. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. When the chicken is completely shredded, transfer it back to the slow cooker and stir in the delicious juices.
Serving the Chicken
  1. The meat is so versatile that it can be served in many ways, including salads, burritos, or tacos. You can serve Cafe Rio Chicken with rice, cilantro, lime, tomatoes, lettuce, avocados, cheese, salsa, pico de gallo, avocado, cheese, and any of your other favorite toppings.

Notes

  • This Chicken will freeze well for up to 4 months. Simply place the shredded chicken and juice into an airtight container. when you're ready to eat it, thaw the soup overnight, then place it in the slow cooker on low heat for a couple of hours.
  • If you serve the chicken in a burrito, be sure to use large flour tortillas, so all the toppings hold well.
  • If you serve the chicken as a salad, drain as many of the juices as you can first, and place it over a bed of lettuce. Crispy tortilla strips are a nice tough to sprinkle over the top.