Costa Vida Chicken
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I love Mexican food, especially Fresh Mex. Many places around here in Utah serve just that, and Costa Vida is one of them. It’s one of our favorite restaurants. I always get the sweet pork raspberry chipotle chicken from their menu. However, I have never had the Costa Vida shredded chicken. I found this copycat recipe over at Your Home Based Mom and had to try it. It was too easy not to.
I’m unsure how the taste compares to Costa Vida Chicken, but I loved it. It makes a lot, too. I was able to get just over two meals with this recipe. We did tacos one time, and then I put the rest in the freezer for another night.
With the leftovers, I made quesadillas one night for dinner (chicken, fresh cilantro, and cheese). Then, I still had enough to make taco salads a few times for lunch. I love it. It’s so easy and delicious. I also served the tacos and quesadillas with the Santa Barbara brand mango salsa from Costco. It goes really well with this chicken.
Ingredients to Make Costa Vida Copycat Chicken
- KRAFT ZESTY ITALIAN DRESSING (I USED KROGER BRAND)
- CHILI POWDER
- CUMIN
- GARLIC CLOVES
- BONELESS CHICKEN BREAST
How to Make Costa Vida Chicken
Place chicken breasts in the crock pot. Pour the Italian dressing over the chicken. Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, and garlic evenly over the top. Cover the crock pot with the lid and set it to cook on high for 4 hours.
After 4 hours, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the crock pot. Stir the shredded chicken to mix it well with the sauce. Cook the shredded chicken for an additional hour on high to let the flavors meld together.
Serve the tender Costa Vida chicken over rice, in tacos, on nachos, or as a filling for burritos and enchiladas. This recipe makes a large batch, so you can halve it or freeze the leftovers for another meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes, you can use boneless, skinless, fresh chicken thigh meat instead of breasts. They may require slightly less cooking time, so check for doneness earlier.
Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot?
Yes, you can adapt this recipe for an Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, then let it naturally release pressure for 10 minutes before shredding the chicken.
Can I use homemade Italian dressing?
Absolutely! Homemade Italian dressing will work well and can add a personal touch to the recipe.
How do I shred the chicken?
After cooking, use two forks to pull the chicken apart. You can also use a hand mixer on low speed to shred the chicken quickly and easily.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Yes, this recipe makes a large batch so you can freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
FOR MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS, TRY:
Costa Vida Chicken
Real Mom Kitchen
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 oz bottle Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing (I used Kroger brand)
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 Tbsp cumin
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 5 skinless boneless chicken breast
Instructions
- Cook all together in a crock pot on high for 4 hours, shred meat and cook 1 additional hour. (This recipe makes a lot so you can do have or freeze the leftovers for another meal)
Nutrition
This is the original photo from when this post was first posted in April 2010.
