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You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Recipes / Dinner

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Published: Jun 1, 2019 · Modified: Nov 7, 2019 by Anna 11 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

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Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos - only 5 minutes of prep is required for this easy Mexican dish! Place everything in slow cooker, set it and let it do it's magic!

This slow cooker chicken is perfect for tacos but also burritos, taquitos and my Easy Chicken Enchiladas!

Three tacos with chicken in baking dish.

SLOW COOKER CHICKEN TACOS

These chicken tacos have been on our weekly menu for the past few weeks and I've used the slow cooker taco meat in enchiladas, burritos and taco casseroles. It's so easy because all of the prep consists of throwing everything into a slow cooker and let it cook away for a few hours. It's ready by dinner time and all it needs is toppings.

The final product - flavorful and tender chicken that shredded can be used in tacos, burritos, taquitos and enchiladas. So versatile, you will find yourself making it a few times a week.

How to make Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos?

  • Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs. Place them in slow cooker.
  • Pour crushed tomatoes and salsa over chicken.
  • Mix seasoning and sprinkle over chicken.
  • Cook on HIGH setting for 4 hours.
  • When done, shred chicken and stir in with tomato salsa sauce.
  • Serve in flour tortillas with your favorite toppings.

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos ingredients (your shopping list):

  • chicken thighs (skinless, boneless)
  • crushed tomatoes
  • salsa
  • ground cumin
  • chili pepper
  • salt and pepper

What are the toppings for chicken tacos?

For the topping, feel free to use your favorite taco toppings, like shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, sour cream or Picco de Gallo. I used my recent favorite: a Black Bean and Corn Salad. It's absolutely fantastic and I will be sharing the recipe in the next post!

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Two chicken tacos on white plate.

Are Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos Healthy?

This dish is a great healthy option for the whole family. Use fresh veggies for toppings and make your own homemade taco seasoning (free of all the preservatives).

Can I use chicken breasts to make this dish?

As you can see in the recipe box, I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs in this dish. I like to use them in my slow cooker dishes. Because they are a mix of white and dark meat, they have a lot of flavors and are juicier than chicken breasts. You won't need any additional water because they will release enough on their own. When the chicken is cooked, it may look as there is too much liquid in the slow cooker. But when you pull all of the thighs apart and shred the meat, stir it all together - it will be perfect saucy meat for the tacos!

More easy Mexican recipes:

Black Beans and Quinoa Enchiladas

Fresh Pineapple Margaritas

Restaurant Style Salsa

Pineapple Salsa Chicken

If you make one of my recipes, share it on INSTAGRAM and tag me @crunchycreamysweet !  I would love to see what’s happening in your kitchen! 

Three chicken tacos in baking dish.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Author: Anna
Only 5 minutes of prep is required for this easy Mexican dish! Place everything in slow cooker, set it and let it do it's magic!
5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 4 hours hrs
Total Time 4 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6 servings
Calories 155 kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
 
 

  • 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup crushed tomatoes
  • ½ cup salsa
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon chili pepper

Instructions
 

  • Place chicken in the slow cooker.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, stir all of the remaining ingredients. Pour over the chicken.
  • Cook on HIGH setting for 4 hours or on LOW setting for 6 hours.
  • When done, pull the meat apart with two forks and stir everything together.
  • Serve in taco size soft tortillas topped with your favorite taco toppings, picco de gallo or Mexican corn salad.

Notes

If not using salsa, add 2 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to the mixture. This chicken can be used in enchiladas, burritos (just add beans), and Mexican casseroles.

Nutrition

Calories: 155kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 501mg | Potassium: 463mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 220IU | Vitamin C: 4.5mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1.7mg
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

This post was originally published on May 2nd, 2015 and updated on June 1st, 2019.

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Comments

    5 from 4 votes

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Alyssa says

    May 04, 2015 at 9:33 pm

    5 stars
    Any excuse to breakout the crockpot sounds great to me! Can't wait to try these. Definitely pinning!

    Reply
  2. Amy says

    May 04, 2015 at 6:20 pm

    I love tacos, can't wait to try out this recipe. Love that I can use the slower cooker.

    Reply
  3. Chrisy says

    May 04, 2015 at 5:48 pm

    I love how easy this is! And I'm totally with you on all the Mexican food these past few weeks, although I could easily see us having this slow cooker chicken as an easy meal no matter the occasion.

    Reply
  4. Katerina says

    May 04, 2015 at 2:11 pm

    5 stars
    I’m dying over this taco overload – my ultimate weakness! This is so perfect in so many ways!!

    Reply
  5. Jordan says

    May 04, 2015 at 12:53 pm

    Love this idea for Cinco de Mayo! I can throw it in my slow cooker before work. 🙂

    Reply
  6. Sandi Gaertner says

    May 04, 2015 at 11:11 am

    You had me at 5 minute prep...perfect for a busy school night!

    Reply
  7. Stephanie says

    May 04, 2015 at 10:25 am

    This is so my kind of food! LOVE that you made them in the slow cooker!

    Reply
  8. Stephanie says

    May 04, 2015 at 10:18 am

    5 stars
    Perfect for Taco Tuesday and Cinco De Mayo!!! I loveeee tacos, and making them in the slower cooker is not only easy, but keeps the house cool! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  9. Marye says

    May 04, 2015 at 7:13 am

    I love cooking the meat for tacos in the slow cooker! It really does make it so simple. These look fantastic! Pinning.

    Reply
  10. Amanda says

    May 03, 2015 at 8:54 am

    5 stars
    These are going in the taco night lineup for sure!!!

    Reply
    • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

      May 03, 2015 at 9:36 am

      Thank you, Amanda!

      Reply
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Hi! I'm Anna!

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