Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos (3-Ingredient Recipe)

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Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos combine all your favorite Mexican flavors into an easy weeknight meal. Take 5 minutes to prep this crockpot chicken tacos recipe, and the meal will be ready by dinner time! This flavorful recipe is perfect for Cinco de Mayo or an easy recipe for the family. 

titled collage for crockpot chicken tacos


 

It’s time to take taco night to a whole new level! This easy meal prep is one that the whole family will appreciate and just takes a few minutes of prep time.

In my opinion, slow cooker recipes like this are a great way to create a meal that is simple – but doesn’t look that way! 

crockpot chicken tacos ingredients in bowls on counter

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos

This recipe for crock pot chicken taco meat is exactly what your hectic schedule needs! 

Simply blend up the salsa, pour it over some boneless breasts with taco seasoning, then set it to cook!

You’ll come home to a warm, tasty meal at the end of the day, plus no pile of dishes to worry about afterward!

If you have a hankering for fresh Mexican flavors, try my street corn salad! It’s sweet, tangy, and has a kick of heat that makes it a perfect lunch or side.

slow cooker tacos cooking

Crockpot Chicken Tacos Recipe Tips

  • Make your own salsa. While a store bought jar works great, making your own is always fun! 

    I have a super simple blender salsa recipe that only takes 5 minutes to whip up.
  • Blend up two batches. Make a double serving of salsa so that half can go in with the meat and the other half can be used to serve on top of your meal.
  • Warm up your tortillas. Set them directly over a gas stovetop burner turned to low. 

    Cook on each side for 1-2 minutes until tortilla puffs and/or the edges begin to char. This will add an extra bit of flavor to your dish.
  • Time saving tip: Use a stand mixer to shred your crock pot chicken taco meat! 

    Fit it with the beater attachment, toss in the chicken, and run it on low for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Feeding a crowd? You can always double or triple this crockpot chicken tacos recipe as needed, as long as your slow cooker is large enough.
shredding chicken in stand mixer

Serving Suggestions

Serve slow cooker shredded chicken tacos with all of the classic toppings like salsa, guacamole, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese. 

You can even add in some veggies with shredded lettuce, pickled red onions, or jalapenos!

This crock pot chicken taco meat would be just as delicious on nachos or stuffed into quesadillas. For a low carb option, spoon it over salad or into lettuce wraps instead!

You can also add it to enchiladas, fold into an omelet, or serve it on top of a baked potato. 

Any of your favorite taco toppings will be a bit hit! 

slow cooker chicken tacos in crock pot

Crockpot Chicken Tacos FAQ

Can I put frozen chicken in a crockpot? 

This is debatable — USDA food safety rules say no. However, I recently ran across this: on Today.com

It is safe to cook a frozen chicken in a slow cooker,” Quin Patton, a food scientist formerly with PepsiCo, told TODAY. “You just need to make sure the internal temperature gets up to 165°F. at some point during the cooking process.”

Frozen breasts can be added directly to the crockpot, just allow an extra 30 minutes of cooking time so that they fully cook through.

What side dishes pair well with these slow cooker chicken tacos recipe?

The shredded chicken taco meat makes the best chicken tacos to eat all on their own, but don’t forget that this flavorful chicken pairs well with Mexican rice.

I also love this dish with cilantro lime rice,  and refried beans as well.

How do I create a taco bar?  

It’s all about adding your favorite toppings! Create a clean space, and then set out ingredients like sour cream, green chiles, black beans, your favorite salsa, taco shells, flour tortillas, corn tortillas, hot sauce, pico de Gallo, and even enchilada sauce.

You can also put extra seasonings on the table like onion powder, chili powder, brown sugar, and black pepper. Easy meals like this are simple to add basic ingredients without a ton of extra hard work.

The simple steps for creating a taco bar mean that everyone can make their own tacos, burrito bowls, taco salads, or any other dish and enjoy it however they want on a busy day. 

While the recipe card below shows the steps for crockpot shredded chicken tacos, you can literally use the chicken meat for so many other varieties and options. Have fun with the flavor and variety! 

How do I store leftover crock pot shredded chicken tacos? 

Transfer the meat to an airtight container and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or in the microwave until warmed through.

You can also freeze crock pot shredded chicken tacos meat for up to three months! Make a big batch and portion it out to use for future meals.

shredded chicken tacos in a casserole dish with chips and salsa

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours. 

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crock pot tacos, close up

Other Crockpot Chicken Recipes

taco with fresh tomatoes, lettuce and cheese

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos (3-Ingredient Recipe)

Donna Elick
Crockpot Chicken Tacos puts fabulous favorite Mexican flavors in an easy weeknight meal. Just 5 minutes to prep this easy taco recipe!
5 stars from 1 review
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine Mexican
Method Slow Cooker
Servings 8 – 10

Ingredients
 

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts , (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 recipe blender salsa
  • 1/4 cup taco seasoning

Instructions
 

  • Place the chicken breasts in a single layer in the bottom of a 6-quart crockpot.
  • Pour the salsa and taco seasoning over the chicken.
  • Cover and cook on the high setting for 4 hours or low for 6-7 hours.
  • When the chicken has finished cooking, remove from the crockpot, shaking off the excess salsa. Use two forks to shred the chicken (it should shred easily).
  • Alternately, place the chicken breasts in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the beater attachment. Turn on the mixer, starting on low and speeding up the mixer until the chicken has shredded into even pieces.
  • Mix the shredded chicken back into the salsa/sauce.
  • Serve in tacos or use for any of your favorite Mexican chicken dishes.

Donna’s Notes

Make a double batch of blender salsa – use half for the crockpot chicken recipe and the other half for serving over the tacos.
Great taco toppings: salsa, guacamole, avocado slices, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, pickled red onions and jalapenos, grated cheese, etc.
To warm the flour tortillas and add a bit of extra flavor, set them directly over a gas stovetop burner turned onto low. Cook on each side for 1-2 minutes until tortilla puffs and/or the edges begin to char.
Frozen chicken breasts can be added directly to the crockpot (allow an extra 30 minutes cook time.)
Refrigerate for 2-3 days or freeze up to three months in an airtight container or plastic freezer bag.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 78cal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 662mg | Sugar: 1g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
closeup of yellow bell peppers, tomatoes, chicken and shredded white cheese in tortilla

Originally published January 2022, updated and republished February 2024

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