Slow Cooker Tajín Chicken and Peppers

By Sarah DiGregorio

Published April 25, 2025

Slow Cooker Tajín Chicken and Peppers
Bryan Gardner for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne.
Total Time
About 4 hours
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
4 hours
Rating
5(395)
Comments
Read comments

This easy braise is generously spiked with Tajín, the chile-lime salt that is often sprinkled on fresh fruit but can also be used as a punchy, one-stop seasoning for grilled chicken and salads. You can eat the stew in bowls, with tortilla chips on the side, or on top of rice, or use a slotted spoon to tuck it into tortillas for tacos, burritos or enchiladas. Mild or hot cans of roasted, chopped green chiles are usually stocked near the canned chipotles and pickled jalapeños, and are a versatile pantry item to have on hand.

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: Give recipes to anyone

    As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.

    Subscribe

  • Share this recipe

  • Print this recipe

Advertisement

Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 1½ to 2pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 2(15-ounce) cans pinto beans, rinsed
  • 3(4-ounce) cans hot or mild chopped green chiles (not drained)
  • 1bell pepper, sliced into ¼-inch wide strips
  • 4garlic cloves, minced
  • 2tablespoons Tajín seasoning, plus more for serving
  • 2tablespoons canola oil 
  • 1teaspoon onion powder 
  • ½teaspoon ground cumin
  • Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)
  • Crumbled queso fresco, for serving 
  • Rice, tortillas or tortilla chips, for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

704 calories; 25 grams fat; 6 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 10 grams monounsaturated fat; 6 grams polyunsaturated fat; 62 grams carbohydrates; 15 grams dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 59 grams protein; 1324 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Powered by

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine the chicken, beans, green chiles, bell pepper, garlic, Tajín, oil, onion powder and cumin in a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker. Season with 1½ teaspoons salt. Cook on low until the chicken is tender and the pepper is soft, 4 hours.

  2. Step 2

    Break the chicken into large chunks using two forks. Serve topped with queso fresco and more Tajin to taste.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Comment on this recipe and see it here.

Ratings

5 out of 5
395 user ratings
Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Comments

Progreso Dave

Not sure if you can get it Up North, but in Mexico we have a Reduced Salt variety of Tajin that gives you more control. Look for a pale blue cap.

Amanda

We made this as written, except cooked in a pressure cooker for 45m. It was very good, and super easy. Will make it again, maybe adding some hominy.

Matthew

We added half a lime and some cilantro to our bowls because the dish just tasted a little off with a strong citrus flavor even though we didn’t add any citrus besides the Tajín. I would not make these again but the lime and cilantro helped. Also, the chips did not add anything to the dish but more salt.

Bellaverdi

Have happily prepared this several months ago, but it made a large quantity. Last night pulled a container from freezer for an easy supper. Served over white rice. I’m happy to say this is a freeze-worthy recipe. Yum!

Susannah

I used white beans and onions in the stew as opposed to the onion powder. I eliminated the oil and added salt. Potluck people as well as teenagers at home thought it was great and no one noticed the lack of salt or fat, so I think it's unnecessary. Great recipe that can basically accommodate what you have on hand as long as you have that all important Tajin 😁

Linda

It’s like white chicken chili. I really liked it! The tajin flavor to me as least was subtle. I didn’t add any salt as per other comments.

Private comments are only visible to you.

Recipe Tags

or to save this recipe.