Crockpot chicken tacos are, quite seriously, one of the most brilliant dinner moves you can make. Just throw everything into your slow cooker, press it & forget it. When you get home you’ll have perfectly shredded chicken to serve up some tacos.
These slow cooker chicken tacos are SO much better than takeout and so much cheaper too. The chicken is fall-apart-tender from cooking long and slow all day.
Table of contents
- Why these Crock Pot Tacos are so special
- Ingredients You Need
- Ingredients for Making Chicken Tacos Crockpot Recipe
- How to Make the Best Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos
- Variations on Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos
- Make Ahead & Storage Tips
- Serving Suggestions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Why This Recipe for Crockpot Chicken Tacos Works
Why these Crock Pot Tacos are so special
Unlike the rest of the recipes that merely throw chicken and salsa together, this recipe builds flavor. We’ve turned to the taco seasoning slow cooker chicken method that makes restaurant-quality results at home.
The magic is in letting the chicken braise in its seasonings. This makes crockpot shredded chicken that is nice and flavorful and not bland like some recipes can be!
Ingredients You Need
For the Chicken:
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 pkt taco seasoning ( or make your own )
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper, diced (optional)
For Serving:
Soft flour or corn tortillas
Shredded cheese
Lettuce, chopped
Diced tomatoes
Sour cream
Avocado or guacamole
Lime wedges
Ingredients for Making Chicken Tacos Crockpot Recipe
STEP 1: The chicken goes into your slow cooker. If starting with frozen chicken, defrost it before cooking for more even cooking.
Stage 2: Sprinkle chicken with taco seasoning. Stir in the tomatoes, onion, garlic & bell pepper if using.
Step 3: Pour chicken broth around, but not directly on, edges of chicken. This prevents seasonings from being washed off.
Step 4: Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be able to be shredded easily.
Remove chicken & shred with 2 forks. Step 5: Step 4: Serving the chicken taco filling on corn tortillas! Transfer back to crockpot & combine with the cooking juices.
Step 6: Allow to sit for 10 minutes to absorb flavors, and then, serve in tortillas with your favorite toppings.
How to Make the Best Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos
Don’t overcook the chicken. When it’s finished it is going to shred very easily. OH & if you cook to long it will be though & stringy.
Use the right cut. Chicken thighs (cut up) remain more tender than breasts but the latter work well enough. Just watch your timing.
Save those juices. What’s left in the bottom of your crockpot is liquid gold. Toss some back in with shredded chicken to impart extra flavor.
Season at the end too. Taste your shredded chicken & adjust seasoning salt, pepper or hot sauce if necessary.
Variations on Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos
You take the basic recipe and build on it as your taste and mood dictates.
Spicy Variation
Stir in some diced jalapeños & a dash of cayenne pepper to the batter.
Smoky Variation
Try chipotle taco seasoning, or add 1 tsp smoked paprika.
Salsa Verde Variation
Use green salsa in place of diced tomatoes for a tangy variation.
Extra Veggies Variation
Add corn, black beans or diced zucchini in last hour of cook time.
Make Ahead & Storage Tips
Enjoy this crock pot taco chicken for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze portions, for up to 3 months.
For meal prep on Sunday do a double batch. Serve the chicken tacos in crockpot through the week as easy dinners.
The chicken is also excellent for burrito bowls, quesadillas or nachos.
Serving Suggestions
Make a taco bar, with all the fixings. Having everyone make their own crockpot chicken tacos.
Sides that work great:
Mexican rice
Refried beans
Corn salad
Chips & guacamole
If you’re looking for more protein-packed meal ideas, check out our Three Bean Chili or try our Lentil Bowl for a high-protein vegetarian option.
Crockpot Chicken Tacos
Equipment
- Slow cooker (Crockpot)
- Mixing spoon
- Cutting board & knife
- Measuring cups
- 2 forks (for shredding)
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 packet taco seasoning or homemade
- 1 can diced tomatoes drained
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 bell pepper diced (optional)
For Serving:
- Soft flour or corn tortillas
- Shredded cheese
- Chopped lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Sour cream
- Avocado or guacamole
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Place the chicken in the bottom of your slow cooker. If using frozen chicken, defrost first.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning over the chicken.
- Add diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, and bell pepper (if using) on top.
- Pour chicken broth around the sides of the chicken (not directly on top).
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
- Once cooked, remove chicken and shred using 2 forks.
- Return shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir to mix with the cooking juices.
- Let it sit for 10 minutes to absorb flavor.
- Serve in tortillas with your choice of toppings.
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the recipe (approx. 1 taco serving)
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you use taco seasoning with chicken tacos?
As with so many recipes, the answer is YES seasoning taco seasoning is just what you need for chicken tacos. It has just the perfect combination of cumin, chili powder, paprika & other seasonings that makes chicken taste great. You can either use store-bought packets or make a custom blend.
How to keep the crockpot chicken from drying out?
Longer or slower is also generally better for tender results. slow cooking for 6-8 hours gives you falling apart crockpot shredded chicken. You can use higher heat, (like 3-4 hours) when you don’t have time, but low heat is where the texture is at.
Why is my crockpot chicken tough?
Typically you overcooked it. It’s all too easy for chicken to turn from perfectly tender to tough in a slow cooker. Keep an eye on it after the minimum time & when it’s falling apart tender, shred.
How long do you cook chicken in the crockpot?
For shredded chicken, let cook 6-8 hours and in low or 3-4 hours on high. Thighs can withstand longer cooking than breasts. And as always, make sure to check that internal temp reaches 165°F!
Can raw chicken go in a slow cooker?
Absolutely ok to add raw chicken to your slow cooker. The longish cooking time gets it to safe temperatures. Just be sure your slow cooker gets hot enough — and most modern ones do.
Why This Recipe for Crockpot Chicken Tacos Works
The low heat, the moisture from the tomatoes & broth and then add in the taco seasoning and it’s a slow cooker concoction made for the juiciest most full of flavor seasoned shredded chicken. And it’s way easy (so easy) to just make it in the instant pot, verses cooking your chicken on the stove and then shredding it.
And your house smells amazing while it’s cooking. When you get home from work everything is prepped.
And these slow cooker chicken tacos are now our regular weeknight supper. It takes 5 minutes to prep in the morning & dinner is done by the time we get home.
Make these crockpot chicken tacos the next time you’re craving a simple family dinner that’s actually delicious. Your family will assume it took you a lot more time than it did.
For more delicious chicken recipes, don’t miss our Black Pepper Chicken and Crispy Chicken Katsu. If you’re interested in plant-based alternatives, our Black Bean Quinoa Burger is another crowd-pleaser!
