Taco night just got a whole lot easier with these delicious crock pot chicken tacos. This recipe takes all the work out of cooking by using your slow cooker, allowing you to come home to tender, flavorful chicken ready to be piled into your favorite taco shells. The juicy chicken is infused with all the tasty spices and seasonings of taco night, making every bite bursting with flavor. With minimal prep and no need to monitor cooking time, this recipe is perfect for busy weekdays, casual gatherings, or even meal prepping for the week ahead.
The beauty of crock pot chicken tacos lies in their simplicity. With just a handful of ingredients—chicken, taco seasoning, tomatoes, and a few extras—you can create a meal that’s both satisfying and delicious. Plus, the slow cooking process ensures the chicken becomes incredibly tender, practically falling apart when it’s time to assemble the tacos. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy a fresh, flavorful meal that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re serving a large family or hosting friends, these tacos are always a hit.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
1. Simple and Easy
Throw all the ingredients into your crock pot and let it work its magic. There’s little prep involved, making this a hassle-free dinner option.
2. Tender, Flavorful Chicken
Slow cooking ensures the chicken turns out perfectly tender and full of flavor. The longer it cooks, the more the seasonings infuse into the meat.
3. Customizable
You can adjust the toppings based on what you like, whether that’s fresh salsa, shredded cheese, or a dollop of sour cream. This recipe is as versatile as your taco preferences!
4. Perfect for Meal Prep
This recipe makes enough to serve a crowd or feed you for multiple meals. The leftovers keep well in the fridge and can be easily repurposed for tacos, salads, or wraps.
5. No Fuss Cleanup
Because it’s made in a crock pot, the cleanup is a breeze. Simply remove the cooked chicken and toss the liner or clean the pot.
Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Taco seasoning packet (or homemade seasoning)
- Canned diced tomatoes with green chilies (or plain diced tomatoes)
- Small onion, diced
- Chicken broth (or water)
- Lime juice (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Taco shells (soft or hard)
- Toppings like shredded lettuce, cheese, sour cream, salsa, cilantro, diced avocado, and more
Variations
- Chicken Thighs: For a richer, juicier result, swap chicken breasts for chicken thighs. The thighs will stay more tender and flavorful.
- Add Beans: For added texture and flavor, throw in a can of black beans or pinto beans into the crock pot.
- Spicy Tacos: If you like a little extra heat, add some chopped jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the mix.
- Vegetarian Option: Replace the chicken with a mix of beans, sweet potatoes, or mushrooms for a vegetarian twist on these tacos.
How to Make Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
Start by dicing the onion and preparing the chicken. You can use either chicken breasts or thighs for this recipe—whichever you prefer.
Step 2: Add Ingredients to the Crock Pot
Place the chicken breasts or thighs in the bottom of your crock pot. Add the diced onion, taco seasoning, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chicken broth, and lime juice (if using). Stir to combine the ingredients evenly.
Step 3: Slow Cook
Cover the crock pot and set it to cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be fully cooked and easily shreddable when done.
Step 4: Shred the Chicken
Once the chicken is cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the crock pot. Stir the chicken to mix with the sauce and seasonings.
Step 5: Assemble the Tacos
Spoon the shredded chicken mixture into your taco shells. Top with your favorite taco toppings, such as shredded lettuce, cheese, sour cream, salsa, diced avocado, and cilantro.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Serve the tacos immediately and enjoy a tasty, hassle-free meal. These tacos also work well for meal prepping or serving as part of a taco bar for gatherings.
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Use Chicken Thighs for Extra Moisture: If you want the chicken to be extra tender and juicy, opt for chicken thighs instead of breasts.
- Don’t Skip the Broth: The chicken broth helps create a flavorful sauce for the chicken, so don’t leave it out.
- Keep It Low and Slow: Cooking the chicken on low allows it to absorb all the seasonings and become incredibly tender.
- Add a Pinch of Salt: Taste the chicken mixture before serving and add a pinch of salt and pepper if needed to enhance the flavor.
- Toppings Matter: The toppings are a big part of the taco experience, so don’t skip the fresh ingredients like avocado, cilantro, or lime wedges.
How to Serve
These crock pot chicken tacos are best served with a variety of toppings, allowing everyone to customize their own taco. Serve with sides like Mexican rice, guacamole, or chips and salsa for a complete meal. They can also be paired with a refreshing drink like iced tea or a cold margarita. For a lighter option, serve with a side of sautéed veggies or a simple salad.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover chicken taco filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The chicken will continue to soak up the flavors and may even taste better the next day.
Freezing
You can also freeze the chicken mixture for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before placing it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat the chicken, place it in a pot on the stove over low heat or microwave it in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between. If it looks dry, add a little extra chicken broth to moisten it.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken. Just be sure to add extra cooking time—around 1-2 hours longer on low or 30-45 minutes on high.
2. Can I use a different type of seasoning?
Absolutely! You can make your own taco seasoning with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika if you prefer homemade.
3. Can I add vegetables to the slow cooker?
Yes, you can add bell peppers, corn, or zucchini for extra flavor and texture.
4. Can I make this recipe in the Instant Pot?
Yes, cook on high pressure for 15-20 minutes, and then shred the chicken once the cooking cycle is complete.
5. What kind of tacos should I use?
This recipe works with both soft flour tortillas and crispy hard-shell tacos, depending on your preference.
6. Can I use ground chicken instead of whole pieces?
Yes, but you may need to adjust the cooking time. Ground chicken typically cooks much faster than whole pieces.
7. Is the lime juice necessary?
Lime juice adds a nice fresh flavor but is optional. If you prefer a more subtle flavor, you can skip it.
8. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, you can easily double the ingredients and cook it all in one crock pot. Just ensure there’s enough space in your slow cooker to accommodate the increased volume.
9. What toppings do you recommend for these tacos?
Try shredded lettuce, diced avocado, sour cream, cheese, salsa, and fresh cilantro for classic toppings. You can also experiment with pickled onions or jalapeños for extra flavor.
10. Can I use a slow cooker liner for easier cleanup?
Yes, slow cooker liners make cleanup much easier by preventing food from sticking to the sides of the pot.
Conclusion
Crock pot chicken tacos are a quick, flavorful, and incredibly easy meal to prepare. With tender, juicy chicken cooked to perfection in your slow cooker, you’ll be able to enjoy a delicious taco night without spending much time in the kitchen. Customize your tacos with your favorite toppings and serve them as a fun family meal or at your next gathering. No matter the occasion, these tacos will be a hit every time.
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Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
- Total Time: 3-7 hours
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Description
These easy and flavorful Crock Pot chicken tacos are the perfect weeknight meal. Tender, seasoned chicken cooked to perfection in a slow cooker, then topped with your favorite taco fixings. It’s a simple, hands-off recipe that everyone will love!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or use homemade seasoning)
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (or plain diced tomatoes)
- 1 small onion, diced
- ¼ cup chicken broth (or water)
- 1 tbsp lime juice (optional, for a fresh zing)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Taco shells (soft or hard)
- Toppings: shredded lettuce, cheese, sour cream, salsa, cilantro, diced avocado, etc.
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs in the bottom of the Crock Pot.
- Add the seasonings: Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the chicken, then add the diced tomatoes (with or without green chilies), diced onion, chicken broth, lime juice (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shredded with a fork.
- Shred the chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, shred it directly in the Crock Pot using two forks and stir everything to combine.
- Serve: Spoon the shredded chicken into taco shells and add your favorite toppings such as shredded lettuce, cheese, sour cream, salsa, cilantro, and diced avocado.
Notes
- If you prefer a spicier version, use diced tomatoes with green chilies or add a diced jalapeño to the slow cooker.
- For an even quicker version, you can cook the chicken in the Crock Pot for a shorter time on high heat, but it will be juicier if cooked on low for a longer period.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-7 hours (depending on low or high heat)
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Mexican