Cafe Rio Chicken Salad

If you are not familiar with Cafe Rio, you are missing out! My husband and I recently moved to an area where there is no Cafe Rio, and let me tell you I miss their chicken or pork salads immensely! Although copycat recipes are never quite the same, this one is pretty good. And the best part is, it satisfied my craving, and I froze the leftover chicken for the next time the craving hits!

Cafe Rio Chicken


5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thawed (I used two bone in breasts and removed the bones and shredded the chicken about 1/2 way through)
1 16oz bottle Kraft Zesty Italian dressing
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp cumin
3 cloves minced garlic

Mix all ingredients except the chicken in a bowl. Place chicken on bottom of a greased crockpot.
Pour mixture in bowl over the top of chicken. Cook on high 5-7 hours. Shred chicken with a fork and reserve juice to pour over chicken when serving.

To make it the best salad ever, layer (from bottom to top), a tortilla (try making these ones), lime rice, black or pinto beans, chicken, lettuce, tomatillo dressing, pico de gallo, and guacamole. It's delicious!