Amazing Crockpot chicken hominy 8 serving joy

By anna Boncoeur On November 25, 2025

Crockpot chicken hominy is about to become the absolute hero of your busy weeknights, I promise you! If you’re anything like me, you love big, comforting flavors but simply don’t have the energy for complicated stovetop stirring after a long day. Hi there, I’m Anna! I’m just a passionate food lover who thrives on sharing simple and flavorful chicken recipes designed to make everyday cooking easier and, honestly, way more joyful.

Forget chopping mountains of vegetables or standing over a hot stove. This recipe takes about five minutes of throwing things into your slow cooker, and then the magic just happens while you’re working, running errands, or just relaxing. It’s perfect for those of you who need maximum flavor payoff for minimal effort. We’re talking tender chicken swimming in a gorgeous, savory broth alongside hearty hominy. Seriously, this crockpot chicken hominy is going to change your dinner game!

Table Of content

Essential Ingredients for Crockpot Chicken Hominy

Okay, the best part about this crockpot chicken hominy is how straightforward the ingredient list is! You probably have half of this stuff hanging out in your pantry right now. We are using simple building blocks here—great chicken, hearty hominy, and a fantastic spice blend that does all the heavy lifting while you’re busy.

I always tell people that slow cooker meals rely on quality staples because there’s no quick sauté to mask anything. Make sure you drain and rinse that hominy well; nobody wants that canning liquid messing up our beautiful broth! For the spices, I’m using common items, but don’t skip the fresh lime juice at the end—it’s the little secret that wakes everything up.

Gathering Your Crockpot Chicken Hominy Components

You’ll see the full list below, but just grab your chicken thighs, those beautiful cans of hominy, your broth, and the standard spice rack flavors. Trust me, the final dish is so much more complex than the shopping list suggests. Go ahead and look at the table below for the exact quantities you’ll need for 8 generous servings.

Ingredients List

Ingredient	Quantity	Preparation Note
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs	2 pounds	None (place whole in cooker)
White hominy	2 cans (29 ounces each)	Drained and rinsed
Low-sodium chicken broth	6 cups	Liquid base
Diced green chiles	1 can (4 ounces)	Undrained is fine
Yellow onion	1 medium	Diced
Garlic	4 cloves	Minced
Ground cumin	2 teaspoons	Ground
Dried oregano	1 teaspoon	Dried
Chili powder	1 teaspoon	Ground
Kosher salt	1 teaspoon	For initial seasoning
Black pepper	½ teaspoon	Freshly ground preferred
Cayenne pepper	¼ teaspoon	For a little kick
Fresh lime juice	2 tablespoons	Added at the very end
Fresh cilantro	¼ cup	Chopped, added at the end

Why You Will Love This Crockpot Chicken Hominy Recipe

Seriously, this recipe is designed for people who need dinner on the table without spending their entire evening hovering over the stove. It’s the definition of set-it-and-forget-it cooking, but the flavor is anything but forgettable!

Minimal Prep Time: We’re talking less than 10 minutes of active work before you walk away for the day.
Incredible Flavor Development: Letting those spices simmer with the chicken and broth for hours creates a depth you just can’t rush.
Easy Cleanup: Since everything cooks in one pot, your sink won’t be overflowing with dishes later!
Perfectly Tender Chicken: Chicken thighs hold up beautifully in the slow cooker, shredding like butter every single time.

Equipment Needed for Perfect Crockpot Chicken Hominy

You don’t need a fancy kitchen setup for this, thankfully! The star here is your trusty slow cooker. Make sure you have at least a 6-quart model because we are making a big, satisfying batch that easily feeds eight people. That’s the beauty of this crockpot chicken hominy—it scales up nicely.

Beyond the main appliance, you’ll need a sturdy cutting board and a sharp knife for the onion and garlic prep. Once it’s cooked, two standard dinner forks are your best friends for shredding that fall-apart tender chicken right in the pot. That’s really it! No unnecessary gadgets required for this easy meal.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Crockpot Chicken Hominy

This is where the magic happens, and I mean that literally because you get to walk away after five minutes of work! We are building layers of flavor right in the slow cooker, which keeps things incredibly simple. Take your time when layering so everything settles nicely before the cooker starts doing its job.

Layering the Slow Cooker Base

First things first, grab your 6-quart slow cooker insert. Step 1 is crucial for even cooking: lay those 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs right on the bottom. Try to get them in a single layer if you can; it helps them cook evenly early on. Next up, top that chicken layer with your prepared ingredients. You’re going to add the drained and rinsed hominy, the diced yellow onion, the minced garlic cloves, and that little can of diced green chiles.

Once those solids are nestled in, it’s time for the liquid. Pour in all 6 cups of your low-sodium chicken broth. Make sure the chicken is mostly submerged. If you’re worried about your chicken sticking to the bottom, you can pour a little broth over it first, but generally, the liquid will handle it!

Cooking and Flavor Development for Crockpot Chicken Hominy

Now for the spices! This blend is what gives the crockpot chicken hominy its signature warmth. Sprinkle the cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne evenly over the top of the broth and solids. Give it a very gentle stir—just enough to get the spices incorporated into the liquid without disturbing the chicken too much underneath. You don’t want to mix it aggressively at this stage.

Cover the slow cooker tightly. If you’re leaving for the day, set it to LOW and let it go for 6 to 8 hours. If you’re doing this on a shorter day, setting it to HIGH will cook it through in about 3 to 4 hours. The key is cooking until that chicken is absolutely fork-tender and reaches that safe internal temperature of 165°F, which it certainly will if you follow those times!

Shredding and Finishing the Crockpot Chicken Hominy

Once the cooking time is up, carefully remove the chicken thighs using tongs or a slotted spoon. Transfer them to a cutting board and let them rest for just five minutes—this helps them stay juicy. While they rest, you can start thinking about toppings! Using two forks, shred the chicken into nice bite-sized pieces. It should shred incredibly easily!

Return all that beautiful shredded chicken back into the slow cooker with the hominy and broth. This is the final flavor punch! Stir in the 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice and the chopped cilantro. Give everything a good mix around. Let the crockpot chicken hominy sit covered for a final 5 minutes so that chicken soaks up all those bright, fresh flavors.

Final Checks and Serving Preparation

Before you serve up this amazing meal, always taste the broth. This is where you adjust the seasoning. Does it need a tiny bit more salt? A little more pepper? Go ahead and tweak it until it tastes perfect for your family. Remember, food safety is important, so if you’re unsure about the internal temp, use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken hit 165°F when you pulled it out.

Ladle the piping hot crockpot chicken hominy into bowls. Now, lay out all those amazing toppings you prepared: shredded cabbage, radishes, avocado, queso fresco, and those crunchy tortilla chips. Everyone gets to build their perfect bowl!

Tips for Success with Your Crockpot Chicken Hominy

Even though this crockpot chicken hominy is super forgiving, a few little tricks can take it from great to absolutely unforgettable. Since the slow cooker does most of the work, focusing on the meat choice and texture adjustments makes all the difference in the final bowl. Don’t be afraid to tinker a bit—that’s how we make recipes our own!

Chicken Substitutions and Flavor Boosters

I always push for chicken thighs because they stay moist and rich, but if you only have breasts, go ahead and use them! Just watch the clock closely, as they cook faster—I’d start checking them around the 4-hour mark on HIGH. If you really want to deepen the flavor profile, try browning those thighs quickly in a skillet before they go into the slow cooker; it adds a fantastic nutty note. For extra veggie goodness, toss in a diced poblano pepper along with your onion for a subtle, smoky kick that complements the hominy perfectly.

Adjusting Consistency in the Crockpot Chicken Hominy

Here’s a key thing to remember about the hominy: those little kernels are thirsty! They soak up a surprising amount of that delicious broth as they cook, which can sometimes make the final stew thicker than you expect. If you prefer a soupier consistency for your crockpot chicken hominy, add an extra cup of broth when you return the shredded chicken at the end. Conversely, if it looks too thin, just leave the lid off for the last 30 minutes of cooking on HIGH to allow some steam to escape and thicken it naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions About Crockpot Chicken Hominy

I get so many questions about this recipe because it’s so versatile! People want to know how to adapt it for different schedules or dietary needs, and that’s what I love about sharing these easy chicken recipes. Here are a few things I hear most often about making the best crockpot chicken hominy.

Can I Use Different Meats in This Crockpot Chicken Hominy?

Absolutely! While the thighs are my favorite for flavor, if you are in a real hurry, you can totally use pre-cooked meat. If you use a store-bought rotisserie chicken, skip the long cooking time entirely! Just shred about 3 cups of the cooked meat and add it back into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking, along with the lime juice and cilantro. This way, the meat just heats through and absorbs the broth flavor without drying out.

How Can I Make This Crockpot Chicken Hominy Spicier?

If you like it hot, this dish can definitely handle more heat! The recipe calls for just a quarter teaspoon of cayenne, which is mild. For a noticeable step up, try doubling that cayenne pepper in Step 4. For real fire, chop up a jalapeño and add it right in with the onions and garlic in Step 2. You could even use the hot version of canned green chiles if you can find them! It’s your crockpot chicken hominy, so make it sing!

Storing and Reheating Your Leftover Crockpot Chicken Hominy

This crockpot chicken hominy tastes even better the next day, which is great because this recipe makes a huge pot! Leftovers are super easy to manage, whether you’re planning for quick lunches or saving some for a chilly evening later this month. Don’t toss that extra broth—it’s the secret to perfect reheating!

When you store it, remember that the hominy will continue to absorb liquid as it cools down in the fridge. This is why we always add a splash more liquid when reheating so it doesn’t turn into a dense casserole. Check out the simple guide below to keep your leftovers tasting fresh.

Storage and Reheating Guide

Storage Method	Maximum Duration	Reheating Tip
Refrigerator	Up to 4 days	Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding extra broth or water to loosen consistency.
Freezer	Up to 3 months	Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat slowly on the stovetop, stirring frequently.

Sharing Your Crockpot Chicken Hominy Experience

Now that you know all my secrets for making this fantastic crockpot chicken hominy, I really want to know what you think! Did you load up on the queso fresco, or did you go heavy on the avocado? Please leave me a comment below and tell me how this easy chicken recipe worked for your busy weeknight. Don’t forget to rate it so other home cooks know how much you loved it! You can also see more of my favorite chicken dishes on Pinterest.