Taco night is the best night and these Crockpot Chicken Tacos are really a weeknight win. Just a few minutes of prep and a handful of ingredients and your work is done!
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The easiest tacos EVER.
We’re talking low effort, high reward here. Jarred salsa, a few pantry staples, chicken, and a squeeze of lime are all you need to make the filling for these crockpot chicken tacos.
- Combine everything in your slow cooker and that’s it! (Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos are also pretty dang easy, and even faster.)
- Make a batch of zippy crockpot chicken taco salsa filling on Sunday and use it to make tacos later in the week for easy dinners or work lunches you’ll actually look forward to (yes, that’s me throwing shade at the Lean Cuisine sitting in your work freezer).
Just like my Shredded Chicken Tacos recipe, you can enjoy this recipe as crockpot salsa chicken by simply plating the chicken breasts with Mexican Quinoa and an easy veggie side like Roasted Acorn Squash. Or shred the chicken and use it for Taco Salad, Chicken Quesadillas, or a Burrito Bowl. Options? Endless!
My Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
- Use Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs. Either option works for this easy crockpot chicken taco recipe, but note that chicken thighs give you a bit more wiggle room because they’re harder to overcook.
- Choose a Good Salsa. It’s the main flavor in this recipe, so a lackluster salsa will give you lackluster crockpot chicken tacos.
- Use Your Thermometer. Especially if you’re making this recipe with chicken breasts, which are easier to over-cook. Once the chicken registers 165 degrees F, it’s done cooking and can be shredded for the tacos. Check early and often; I recommend starting at the 90-minute mark, especially if you know your slow cooker runs hot.
- Set It But Don’t Forget It. This is not a recipe that can spend 8 hours in the slow cooker. If you work during the day, plan on a late dinner or make the chicken on the weekend for meal prep and enjoy your tacos during the week.
How to Make Crockpot Chicken Tacos
Make the Sauce. Dump the salsa, spices, and lime juice in your slow cooker and stir.
Cook. Spoon some of the sauce on top of the chicken. Cook crockpot chicken tacos on low until the chicken registers 165 degrees F on an instant read thermometer, about 2 to 3 hours.
Shred. Use two forks to shred the chicken.
Finish. Stir in the cilantro, cover, and cook for 5 minutes. Warm the tortillas, then spoon the chicken onto them and add your favorite toppings. ENJOY!
What to Serve with Crockpot Chicken Tacos
- Pickled Veggies. Pickled Red Onions and Pickled Jalapeños might be your first inclination, but pickled carrots and cauliflower add some tanginess and crunch too.
- Slaw. Toss shredded cabbage with a squeeze of lime juice and a pinch of salt for a zippier taco topping than the usual lettuce, or try the slaw from my Shrimp Tacos. Or try shredded Brussels sprouts for something different (Brussels Sprouts Slaw is a thing and it’s FAB.)
- Salsa and Guac. Store-bought guacamole is good, but Homemade Guacamole is better. I also love this Black Bean Corn Salad or a store-bought black bean salsa on these crockpot chicken tacos.
- More Toppings. Greek yogurt, sour cream, or authentic crema for some richness. Radishes add some pep to your step. Sliced green onions or additional cilantro. Black olives if you’re a gringo and you know it.
- Margaritas. I have lots of ideas for you: Peach Margaritas, Grapefruit Margaritas, or this Spicy Margarita Recipe.
Leftover Ideas
Make Tex-Mex meal bowls with any leftover crockpot chicken taco filling. Use Instant Pot Brown Rice, white rice, or quinoa as the base. Add a scoop of Instant Pot Black Beans, and garnish with leftover toppings from your tacos.
Crockpot Chicken Tacos
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 (16-ounce) jar prepared salsa
- 2 teaspoons ground chili powder
- 1 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice from about 1 lime, plus additional for serving
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro plus additional for serving
- Whole wheat or corn tortillas for serving
- Toppings of choice: shredded cheddar cheese, avocado, shredded lettuce
Instructions
- In the bottom of a slow cooker, stir together the salsa, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder and lime juice.
- Add the chicken breast, turning it to coat it in the salsa mixture. Spoon some of the salsa over the top.
- Cover and slow cook the chicken on low until the chicken is cooked registers 165°F on an instant read thermometer, 2 to 3 hours (note that slow cooker models can vary; check at the 90 minute-mark to gauge progress).
- With two forks, shred the chicken directly in your slow cooker (or remove it to a plate to shred if that’s easier for you, then return to the slow cooker). Add the cilantro and stir to combine. Cover and let everything warm together for 5 minutes.
- Warm the tortillas, either wrapped in a damp towel in the microwave or by lightly charring them over a gas stove. Fill with the chicken and add your toppings of choice.
Video
Notes
- TO STORE: Refrigerate leftover crockpot shredded chicken taco filling in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
- TO REHEAT: Gently heat the chicken in the microwave until warmed through.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze the chicken filling in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator, then reheat in the microwave.
- Nutritional information is for the shredded chicken filling only.
Nutrition
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Insanely good. It’s easy and the whole family loves it. I like it best with the crispy taco shells made from the white corn tortillas and oil. With the leftovers I like to make chicken quesadillas. So good! Thank you, Erin.
So glad you enjoyed it, Nadia!
Was searching for a recipe for crock-pot chicken tacos, and stumbled across your website. What luck! There are so many recipes I want to try. Made this one today, and it was delicious (and amazingly easy). Both hubby and son approved, so it’s going in the keeper file. Thanks.
Glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Gemma! Thank you!
Turned out great and was a very simple recipe for my taco Monday. Working from home now, so the smell of taco’s cooking all day was quite nice as well. I’ll be making this dish often! Thanks
Yay! Thank you Mandie!
Absolutely delicious recipe – thank you for sharing ! Used Mateo’s mild salsa and 1.5 times the recipe and I have yummy left overs after feeding 6 hungry adults who all had seconds. I will pass this recipe on to my grown children – super easy recipe for school nights. I did have to cook it longer – maybe because the chicken breasts and salsa were cold out of the fridge.
Great to hear, thank you Jeanne!
A keeper! Excellent
Thanks Diane!
Not sure where I went wrong but these were very liquid-y
I’m sorry to hear you had trouble, J. Not sure why they would turn out that way. There is some liquid typically.