If you're tired of the same 'ol dinners, switch up your menu with Slow Cooker Chipotle Citrus Turkey Breast. This easy recipe combines zesty, smoky, and sweet ingredients into one mouthwatering dish. It's a great fall meal to get you geared up for the holidays and is so easy to gobble down in a heartbeat!
Table of Contents
- 🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- 🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
- 📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- 🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
- 🍴Must have tools: essential equipment
- 🥫 Leftover love: how to store and reheat chipotle citrus turkey breast
- Marye's Tip o' the day
- 💭 Insider tips: things to know
- 👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
- 📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
- 🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with chipotle citrus turkey breast
- 🍽️ No waste: creative ways to repurpose
- 📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.
🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- The subtle Tex-Mex twist on turkey will get the whole family excited for dinnertime.
- This easy recipe slowly cooks all day, so you can come home to a warm meal that's ready to enjoy.
- The optional sauce has so much flavor from the meaty juices, citrus, and sugars—it's a quick step that kicks this dish up a notch.
No dry, dull meat here—packed with mouthwatering lime and orange flavor, chipotle citrus turkey breast simmers in the
It's a simple recipe to throw together in a snap, and it goes great with any of your favorite side dishes.
🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- Feel free to swap the turkey for chicken breasts or experiment with pork tenderloin. However, you'll need to increase cooking time for both.
- Amp up the heat level by adding a bit of cayenne pepper. You could also use chipotles in adobo instead of dried chipotle seasoning.
- For a different flavor profile, use pineapple juice in place of orange juice.
- Not a fan of cilantro? That's okay—use parsley or oregano.
- You can use honey or maple syrup as a molasses substitute in a pinch, but they don't have quite the same unique flavor.
- Out of OJ? Try swapping in some of your favorite citrusy beer.
- Give this citrusy turkey dinner a holiday twist by tossing in a handful of frozen cranberries and a pinch or two of cinnamon.
🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page. Click on the image to see it full size.
Whisk together orange juice, brown sugar, molasses, and chipotle.
Add onions and lime slices to the bottom of the
Place seasoned turkey breast over onions. Top with cilantro and sauce.
Optional: after cooking, thicken the liquid with a cornstarch slurry Brush on turkey.
🤫 Marye's secret for zhuzhing it up -
I always save a little extra herbs to sprinkle on top after cooking. It gives a fresh, picture-perfect finish.
zhuzh: verb. To make something more interesting or attractive
🍴Must have tools: essential equipment
- Small
mixing bowl - Whisk
- Slow cooker
- Instant-read thermometer
- Optional: saucepan
🥫 Leftover love: how to store and reheat chipotle citrus turkey breast
Leftovers? Lucky you! First, let the extras cool down before transferring to an airtight container or storage bag.
Chipotle citrus turkey breast is best stored in the fridge and enjoyed within four days. However, you can also freeze leftovers for up to three months.
Enjoy the leftovers cold on a sandwich, or heat 'em up again. I like to use the microwave because it's the fastest method. Just layer a damp paper towel over top and heat in 30-second bursts until hot.
Marye's Tip o' the day
Carving bone-in turkey breast is easy-peasy. First, find the breast bone—it generally runs right down the middle. Then, position your knife parallel to it and slice from the center out.
💭 Insider tips: things to know
- I don't recommend cooking a frozen turkey breast, as it can throw off the cooking time. Let the turkey thaw in the fridge for a day or so if you plan to use one that's frozen.
- Leave the peel on the limes. As it cooks, the skin will release some very fragrant, zesty oil that'll make the turkey extra tender and tasty.
- I like to slice the onion pieces in larger chunks because they'll shrink up a lot in the
slow cooker . However, if you've got picky eaters, dicing them smaller will keep the flavor, but they'll visually seem to disappear. - For an accurate temperature using a meat thermometer, stick the probe into the thickest part of the meat. However, don't hit the bone.
👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!
It's finished cooking once the thickest part reaches 165 degrees F. To get an accurate read, I recommend an instant thermometer.
Low and slow for turkey! High heat in the slow cooker can overcook and dry out the meat. The only time you start turkey on high heat is when it's in the oven and has the skin on. Even then, after the skin is crisp, you usually lower the heat to finish it.
Color isn't the best way to tell if poultry is done—temperature always ensures it's safe to eat. As long as the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, turkey and chicken are safe to eat!
To make a delicious pan sauce with the slow cooker juices, transfer them to a saucepan. Then, whisk in a cornstarch slurry. Don't put dry cornstarch straight into your crockpot, or it'll clump.
⏲️ Marye's time saving hacks -
For an extra quick dinner, I like to serve chipotle citrus turkey breast slices over instant rice or microwavable mashed potatoes.
📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
- Juicy, buttery, and perfect for Sunday dinner, Buttermilk Brined Roast Chicken has the kind of old-fashioned flavor the whole family craves.
- Slow Cooker Orange Chipotle Chicken takes just five minutes to prep and delivers a sweet and spicy flavor that'll warm your soul!
- For another satisfying, citrusy, slow-cooker dinner, try Three-Ingredient Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken. It's a winner, winner... well, you know.
🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with chipotle citrus turkey breast
Perfect for fall, Sweet Potato Crunch Casserole is delicious enough for a holiday dinner and quick enough for a simple weeknight meal. With bourbon, vanilla, and a sweet praline topping, everyone will beg for your recipe!
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon are cooked to crisp, smoky perfection. This easy side dish is quick to make and a perfect addition to any hearty meal.
My Southern Pecan Pie recipe is done in about an hour with little fuss. It's packed with crunchy pecans, a gooey sauce, and a flaky butter crust. After all, everyone loves a classic!
🍽️ No waste: creative ways to repurpose
Leftover meat is super versatile, and the chipotle citrus flavors of this turkey breast recipe make it a great option for so many meals:
- Citrusy white-turkey chili (like white chicken chili)
- Creamed Turkey Sandwiches
- Hawaiian citrus turkey sliders—served on Hawaiian rolls, of course
- Shepherd's pie with a Jiffy cornbread topping
- Tuscan Turkey Soup
- Turkey "carnitas" tacos with pineapple salsa
📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
I love the ease of this recipe! Now that my kids are grown up and moved out, several of them out of state, I don't need a big 24 pound turkey for the holidays anymore!
This simple turkey breast recipe is full of fall flavor and it's a nice change from the classic turkey and stuffing we've eaten for decades.
Plus it feeds a small family or empty nesters perfectly! Less work, less waste... and I'm here for it! If you're looking for something even easier give this 3-ingredient boneless turkey breast a try. It's done in the
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Chipotle Citrus Turkey Breast
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 4 lbs bone in turkey breast
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- ¾ cup orange juice
- 1 lime, sliced
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 teaspoon ground chipotle
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
Optional
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Rub turkey breast on all sides with salt and pepper.
- Add to slow cooker.
- Mix orange juice, brown sugar, molasses, and chipotle.
- Whisk until smooth.
- Pour over the turkey.
- Add sliced lime and cilantro to slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, or until turkey is done (165F).
- Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.
Optional
- Pour juices into a saucepan.
- Mix the cornstarch and water into a slurry and whisk into the saucepan.
- Heat until simmering and thickened.
- Serve with turkey.
Notes
- I don't recommend cooking a frozen turkey breast, as it can throw off the cooking time. Let the turkey thaw in the fridge for a day or so if it's frozen.
- Leave the peel on the limes. As it cooks, the skin will release some very fragrant, zesty oil that'll make the turkey extra tender and tasty.
- For an accurate temperature using a meat thermometer, stick the probe into the thickest part of the meat. However, don't hit the bone. Turkey is done at 160F with a resting period of about 10 minutes.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
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