Hey there, taco lovers! I’m super excited to share one of my absolute favorite recipes that has saved dinner time in my house countless times. If you’re looking for the easiest, most delicious way to make chicken tacos, you’ve landed in the right place. These Crock Pot chicken tacos are literally a “set it and forget it” meal that delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort!
Why Crock Pot Chicken Tacos Are About to Become Your New Go-To Meal
Let me tell you something – as a busy parent with a million things on my plate, I’m always looking for recipes that are:
- Quick to prep
- Require minimal ingredients
- Taste amazing
- Please the whole family
These slow cooker chicken tacos tick ALL those boxes. With just a handful of ingredients and about 5 minutes of prep time, you’ll have the most tender, flavorful shredded chicken for tacos that everyone will rave about.
What You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. You only need 3 main ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5-2 pounds)
- Taco seasoning (1 packet or 2-3 tablespoons homemade)
- Diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel) OR salsa (about 1 cup)
That’s it! No complicated ingredient list, no fancy techniques, just simple ingredients that work magic together in the slow cooker
Step-by-Step Instructions
Alright, let’s get to the good part – how to make these amazing tacos!
1. Prep Your Ingredients
First things first, gather your chicken, taco seasoning, and tomatoes/salsa No need to even thaw the chicken if you forgot (though I personally prefer using thawed chicken)
2. Layer in the Crock Pot
This is where the magic begins:
- Place chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of your slow cooker (this helps them cook evenly)
- Sprinkle the taco seasoning evenly over the chicken
- Pour the diced tomatoes with chilies (or salsa) over everything
3. Set It and Forget It
Now comes the easy part
- For tender, juicy chicken: Cook on LOW for 4-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours
- The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and shreds easily with a fork
4. Shred That Chicken!
Once your chicken is cooked through, it’s time to shred it. You’ve got a few options:
- Two forks method: The classic way – just pull the chicken apart with two forks
- Hand mixer hack: This is my personal favorite! Take a hand mixer and briefly mix the chicken right in the crock pot – it shreds in seconds!
- Stand mixer: If you’ve removed the chicken to a bowl, you can use your stand mixer with the paddle attachment for quick shredding
5. Mix It All Together
After shredding, return the chicken to the crock pot (if you removed it) and stir it into all those amazing juices. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to soak up all that flavor.
Serving Your Amazing Chicken Tacos
Now comes the fun part – serving these delicious tacos! I like to set up a taco bar so everyone can customize their own. Here are some topping suggestions:
- Corn or flour tortillas (warmed)
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Shredded cheese (cheddar or Colby jack are my faves)
- Sour cream
- Guacamole or diced avocado
- Cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Pico de gallo
- Sliced jalapeños (for those who like it spicy!)
Recipe Variations to Keep Things Interesting
We make these tacos at least twice a month in my house, so I’ve come up with some easy variations to keep things fresh:
Creamy Chicken Tacos
After shredding the chicken, add an 8oz block of cream cheese to the crock pot. Let it sit with the lid on for about 10 minutes to soften, then stir it all together. This makes for an incredibly creamy, rich taco filling!
Spicy Chicken Tacos
Add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to your taco seasoning and maybe a 1/4 cup of juice from jarred jalapeños. This kicks the heat up a notch for spice lovers!
Chipotle Chicken Tacos
Add some chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to the mix before cooking. The smoky heat adds amazing depth of flavor.
Bean & Corn Chicken Tacos
In the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in a can of black beans (drained and rinsed) and a cup of frozen corn. This bulks up the filling and adds great texture!
Why Homemade Taco Seasoning Makes a Difference
While the packet taco seasoning works great, I’ve found that making my own taco seasoning really elevates this dish. Plus, it’s super easy! Here’s my go-to mix:
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of cayenne (optional)
Mix it all together, and you’ve got perfect taco seasoning without any fillers or preservatives!
Tips for Perfect Crock Pot Chicken Tacos Every Time
After making this recipe literally dozens of times, I’ve picked up some tricks that make a big difference:
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Don’t overcook the chicken – Chicken breast doesn’t need nearly as long in the crock pot as you might think. 3-4 hours on high or 4-6 hours on low is usually plenty.
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Lay the chicken flat – Don’t pile the chicken breasts on top of each other. This ensures even cooking and better flavor distribution.
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Use chicken thighs for even juicier results – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work AMAZINGLY in this recipe and are even more forgiving if you cook them a little longer.
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Save the leftovers! – This chicken freezes beautifully. I often make a double batch and freeze half for a super quick meal later.
What to Do With Leftover Taco Chicken
One of the best things about this recipe is how versatile the leftovers are! Here are some of our favorite ways to repurpose them:
- Chicken quesadillas – Just add cheese between tortillas and grill until crispy
- Taco salad – Serve over lettuce with all your favorite toppings
- Burrito bowls – Layer with rice, beans, and toppings
- Enchiladas – Roll in tortillas, top with sauce and cheese, and bake
- Nachos – Pile on tortilla chips with cheese and broil for a few minutes
Is This Recipe Dietary-Friendly?
Good news! This recipe is naturally:
- Gluten-free (when using homemade taco seasoning)
- Dairy-free (until you add the toppings)
- Low-carb/keto-friendly (about 2g net carbs per serving without the tortilla)
- Paleo and Whole30 compliant (with homemade seasoning)
The macros are approximately: 32g protein, 3g carbs, and 4g fat per serving.
Make-Ahead and Freezer Instructions
This recipe is perfect for meal prep! You can:
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Prepare as a freezer meal: Combine raw chicken, seasoning, and tomatoes/salsa in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking.
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Cook and freeze: Make the recipe completely, cool, and freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat for a super quick meal.
Why Our Family Can’t Get Enough of These Tacos
I still remember the first time I made these tacos. My husband was skeptical that something so simple could taste so good. One bite in, and he was a believer! My kids, who can be picky eaters, actually request these regularly.
The combination of tender, seasoned chicken with all the fresh toppings just works perfectly. And honestly, on busy weeknights, knowing I can have a delicious, healthy dinner with practically no effort makes me feel like a kitchen superhero!
So there you have it – the easiest, most delicious crock pot chicken tacos you’ll ever make. Give them a try this week, and I promise they’ll become a regular in your meal rotation too!
Happy taco-ing!
How to Make the BEST Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos:
1. Whisk together all of the marinade ingredients: 1 cup water, 1/3 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup vinegar, 2 Tbsp lemon juice, 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 4 Tbsp melted butter, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 tsp dry mustard, 2 tsp salt, 2 tsp chili powder.
2. Add chicken to the slow cooker and pour marinade over the top. Turn a couple times to coat in sauce. Set slow cooker on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours then keep warm until ready to serve.
3. The chicken will be incredibly tender and easy to shred. Pull chicken with two forks and let it sit in slow cooker juices until ready to serve.
For the Crock Pot Sweet & Spicy Slow Cooker Chicken:
2 lbs (4-5 count) Chicken Breasts, boneless, skinless, trimmed of fat 1 cup very warm water 1/4 cup white vinegar 2 Tbsp lemon juice 2 Tbsp worcestershire sauce 4 Tbsp melted butter 1/3 cup ketchup 1/3 cup brown sugar, lightly packed 2 tsp dry mustard 2 tsp salt 2 tsp chili powder
Small flour tortillas Lettuce, chopped Tomatoes, diced Cheddar cheese, shreddedGuacamole Cilantro Sour Cream Hot sauce such as Tabasco
Easy Crock Pot Chicken Tacos – Perfect Weeknight Meal
FAQ
How to make slow cooked chicken tacos?
- Combine the chicken, honey, onion and garlic powders, cumin, salt and chipotle chiles and adobo sauce in a 5- to 8-quart slow cooker. Stir well. Cook for at least 3 hours and up to 5 hours on low. …
- Using two forks, coarsely shred the chicken in the sauce. Stir in the black beans and lime juice.
Is it okay to put raw chicken in a crock pot?
How do you cook pulled chicken tacos in a crock pot?
- Place the chicken, salsa, water, and spices in a slow cooker. …
- Remove chicken and shred with 2 forks.
- Return to the slow cooker and cook on low for an additional 30 minutes.
- Serve the shredded chicken taco meat in your desired way (as tacos, taco bowls, taco salads, or lettuce wraps).
What is the seasoning for chicken tacos?
The perfect chicken taco seasoning recipe should include salt, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. If you have chipotle pepper, you can use that in place of the chili powder and smoked paprika because it is both smokey and spicy.