Crock-pot Chicken Tacos is the perfect easy dinner idea for busy families and weeknight dinners. But, then again, when is savory, tender Mexican shredded chicken made with wholesome, real ingredients not a good idea?
Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos come together easily with less than 10 minutes of prep and feature Mexican shredded chicken enhanced by fresh ingredients and a simple blend of spices. Cooked low and slow, this chicken picks up on every ounce of yummy the slow cooker has to offer, and always turns out succulent, moist, and bounding with flavor.
The sauce that coats the shredded chicken is tomato-based, a touch tangy, a little smoky, and absolutely everything you would expect from a full-flavored Mexican dinner. It closely resembles Ranchero sauce, and you'll find this chicken will work in way more than just tacos.
Use this recipe for filling enchilada casseroles, burritos, tostadas, nachos, flautas, quesadillas, and more!
CROCK-POT CHICKEN TACO INGREDIENTS
When it comes to these Crock-pot chicken tacos, the slow-cooker does all of the work for you, after a quick dice of white onion and jalapeños, all the sauce ingredients go into the slow cooker, followed by the chicken breasts. The main ingredients for Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos are as follows:
- Corn or Flour Tortillas
- Chicken Breasts
- Crushed Tomatoes
- Diced Onion
- Diced Jalapeños
The seasoning for Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos is a blend of Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, cumin, and paprika. If you're short on time, sub in taco seasoning, store-bought or homemade would work fine.
TACO TOPPING OPTIONS
What's taco night without the toppings? After your chicken is shredded and ready to roll in a tortilla, choose from any of the following toppings to top off your masterpiece:
- Shredded Lettuce
- Grated Cheddar or Monterrey Jack
- Pico de Gallo
- Sliced Jalapeños (Pickled or Fresh)
- Sour Cream
- Guacamole or Sliced Avocados
- Fresh Cilantro
- Salsa
- Taco Sauce
HOW TO MAKE CROCK-POT CHICKEN TACOS
- Add sauce ingredients to crock-pot and stir.
- Pat chicken breasts dry and add to crock-pot.
- Cover and cook on low 3 hours.
- Shred and cook 30 minutes more.
Check out our similar shredded chicken taco recipe! It's also prepared in the crock-pot and saves so much time.
PREP
The only prep required for these Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos is to dice an onion and a few jalapeños. If you're bummed about dicing a few veggies, keep in mind fresh ingredients go a long way when it comes to flavor and this Mexican shredded chicken is crazy flavorful. You won't get anything like it from a jar.
SAUCE
Once your onions and jalapeños are ready, you'll add them, along with crushed tomatoes and spices to the slow cooker and give it all a good stir.
CHICKEN (+ COOK TIME)
Next, add the chicken, turn the crock pot on low and set the timer for 3 hours.
If you need to extend the cook time for convenience-sake, you can add an hour or two to the cook time. The chicken will be fully cooked after three hours, but because it is braising on such a low heat setting, it won't hurt the chicken to cook it longer.
SHRED
Once the time is up, you'll shred the chicken. The easiest way to shred chicken is to place it on a work surface or cutting board and have two forks handy. Use one fork to hold the chicken breast in place and the other to shred. If the idea of shredding chicken sounds daunting, switch gears and try these quick and easy Chicken Tacos served fajita-style with sliced chicken, peppers, and onion instead!
BACK TO THE CROCK-POT FOR MORE FLAVOR
After you've shredded the chicken, place it back into the slow cooker. Before, only the outside of the chicken was exposed to all that flavorful sauce, but now, all of the chicken gets a turn. Let it cook for an additional 30 minutes, uncovered and it's officially taco time.
5 MORE MEXICAN RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
- Tex-Mex Beef Enchiladas feature a perfect, foolproof enchilada gravy, the simple key to the most flavorful beef enchilada filling, plus, fun ideas for what to serve alongside your enchiladas!
- Easy Skillet Chicken Fajitas is a one-pan, quick-fix dinner made with chicken thighs, onions, and bell peppers.
- Baked Chicken with Ranchero Sauce is a healthy baked chicken recipe with Ranchero sauce and Monterey Jack cheese. Perfect for weeknight dinners and healthy eating!
- Verde Chicken Enchiladas is a gluten-free dinner recipe featuring shredded chicken, Monterrey Jack cheese, corn tortillas, and a homemade green sauce made with sour cream.
- King Ranch Casserole is a famous Texas-born, stacked enchilada casserole featuring shredded chicken, corn tortillas, hearty vegetables, cheese, and a creamy Tex-Mex sauce.
Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 white onion, diced
- 3 jalapeños, stemmed, seeded and diced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
- 1 ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12-16 flour or corn tortillas
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, guacamole, pico de gallo, salsa, etc...
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to the crock-pot, except for the chicken, and stir to combine.
- Add the chicken, cover and cook on low for 3 hours. Remove the chicken from the crock-pot and shred using two forks. Add the chicken back to the crock-pot to cook for an additional 30 minutes more, uncovered.
Nicolas Hortense says
Such a great idea to use a crockpot for the chicken Kelly. Those tacos are making me so hungry! (:
Jacqueline Debono says
We don't eat much Mexican food here in Italy but I do make it now and again. This shredded chicken is going on my to-make list. It looks and sounds delish and I love that it can be made in the slow cooker!
Noelle says
I have never made tacos in a crock pot before this recipe, but wow it was easy! and tasty so it was a win win!
Helen of Fuss Free Flavours says
Chicken tacos are one of those go to meals that you can guarantee a delicious meal, full of flavours. Perfect for a family meal, or great for dinner for two. Great way to make the chicken using the crock pot, nice and tender.
kim says
This recipe is so easy and has so much flavor! It's a new go-to!
Tania | Fit Foodie Nutter says
I love the combination of all the flavours in this recipe. Would so love to share these with you!
Jen says
We eat a lot of mexican dishes in our house because it's always one that the whole family can agree on. I love how easy this is to make in the crock pot. Adding this one to our list to make.
Andrea Metlika says
I love how easy this is to make. Dump it in the crock pot and let it do all the work.
Michelle Miller says
How wonderfully tender does that chicken look! Love this! Looks like the perfect taco recipe!
Jacque Hastert says
Perfect for Taco Tuesday tonight! I have everything and I still have time to toss it in the crockpot and head back to work. Thank you!
Jenni LeBaron says
These crock pot chicken tacos look so easy and delicious. They will also make fantastic leftovers for weekday lunches. I can't wait to try them!
Beth says
Chicken tacos are one of my favorite foods, but I had never done them in the crockpot! These are so delicious!
Lauren says
Yum! I'm always looking for new crockpot taco recipes. Such a great meal for busy weeknights!
Aimee Mars says
This is SUCH a great recipe! I've been wondering what to make for our friends this Sunday and now I know these chicken tacos are perfect.
Jessica Formicola says
It's Taco Tuesday and I already have this chicken in the crock pot! It smells divine and I can't wait for dinner tonight!
Chloe says
This was so good and crazy easy to make!
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you, Chloe!
Priya Lakshminarayan says
That seems to be loaded with flavors! Love how easy and simple this recipe is.