Crock Pot Chicken Tacos is a go-to meal in our house on any night of the week. Slow cooker shredded chicken for tacos can also be used in enchiladas, casseroles, and salads, so it's a versatile meal that the whole family will love, and it practically cooks itself!
It's Shredded Chicken Taco Night
It doesn't have to be Tuesday for my family to want tacos! Crock pot chicken tacos are perfect for a party, game watching, or just a nice easy weeknight dinner any night of the week. Get out your crockpot or slow cooker, and with minimal prep, dinner will be ready.
I made these shredded chicken tacos the other night, and while they were cooking, I also was on FaceBook, doing laundry and setting the table. This meal practically cooks itself. Everything goes in the pot, and a few hours later, you have a great meal.
Ingredients Needed for Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
- Chicken – I like to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs because they are inexpensive, flavorful and come out juicy and tender every time. You can use chicken breast if you prefer.
- Diced Tomatoes – Diced tomatoes with chilis add flavor and a little bit of heat. Fire roastes tomatoes with chilis also work well here. You can also use regular diced tomatoes and a small can of green chilis. Make use of what you have on hand, just avoid tomatoes that have italian seasoning added!
- Spices – Chili and cumin will give this chicken a classic Mexican flavor while salt and pepper brings together and enhances all of the flavors.
- Cilantro – In my opinion you can't have Mexican food without cilantro. If you aren't a fan you can skip it but it makes the flavor amazing.
Optional Shredded Chicken Taco Toppings
- Black Bean and Corn Salsa
- Super Easy Mexican Guacamole
- Three Minute Blender Salsa
- Chopped lettuce, tomatoes, avocados, cilantro and onions
- Sour cream
- Shredded Cheese - Cheddar, pepperjack or some type of Mexican cheese works well
More Crock Pot Recipes You'll Love
- Sunday Pot Roast in the Crock Pot
- Slow Cooker Shredded Beef and Beer Sliders
- Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings from Margin Making Mom
- Mongolian Short Ribs
- Crock Pot Italian Porketta Roast
Shredded Chicken for Tacos and More
The Mexican shredded chicken mixture is perfect for soft tacos, but you could also make quesadillas, burritos or enchiladas. If you are watching carbs, this delicious chicken can go on top of a salad too. While tacos are my family's favorite, there is so much versatility in this recipe.
If you like Crock Pot Chicken Tacos, please leave a 5-star rating.
Crock Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of any extra fat
- 14 ounces can, diced tomatoes with chiles
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoons ground cumin
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Put chicken and tomatoes in the crock pot. Sprinkle with chili powder and cumin.
- Cook on high for 4 to 6 hours or low 6 to 8 hours.
- Cook until meat can be shredded easily with fork. Add cilantro and salt and pepper to taste at the end of cooking.
- Serve with tortillas and desired toppings. (Calories below do not include optional toppings or tortillas).
Nutrition
First Published January 2009 ; Updated October 2021
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Sara
I love my crockpot, will have to give this a try!
Laurie
This is a perfect recipe for busy moms! I'm always afraid to cook chicken in the Crockpot because the first time I did (like 15 years ago), it wasn't good. Might be time to dust off that fear.
I wanted to thank you, Lisa, for the soups that came in the mail from your contest! I've been warning my family not to touch them for two days. I want to take a photo to post on my blog and it has been so dark and dreary here that I'm waiting for a brighter day.
I love your boy scout cake and the cars are perfect! I've never had a boy scout, but I know about the Pinewood Derby.
Mari
This looks so good, plus I love crockpot recipes! Thanks!
Donna-FFW
I love the fact that this is a make it and leave it type of meal. Sounds wonderful and very versatile.
Culinarywannabe
Crockpots are the best! Oh I bet this would be delicious in enchiladas or even over a big plate of nachos!
Patsyk
Great idea for the Super Bowl party!
Aggie
Oh great recipe Lisa!!! I love having good crock pot recipes on hand! Looks yum!
Mary
Lisa, this lkooks good. I'll have to give it a try.
Jeena
These look great and have all the flavours that I love. π
kat
That looks like a great filling! I'm hosting the Super Bowl too with some chicken wings & pizza then everyone else is bringing dips
Maria
Perfect for the big game!!
Michele
Seems easy and delicious! I wonder if the breasts would be too dry. My honey does not like dark meat chicken.
Cathy
Oh, how I wish that I saw this post 4 hours ago! I actually googled "slow cooker chicken tacos" this morning, but didn't find anything that wowed me, so I ended up throwing some frozen chicken into the crock pot with some salsa and Rotel tomatoes. Next time I am going to make these -- this is exactly what I was looking for!
Allie
Good luck with the contest I think you have a winner here!
Pam
The chicken sounds delicious. I love making shredded meat for my Mexican meals.
That Girl
When I see recipes like this I'm always ashamed at how little I use my crock pot
The Blonde Duck
I am so excited about this. You have no idea!
Clumbsy Cookie
I love how thinly shreded that chicken is! It made me crave mexican food!
Bridgett
I'm coming to your house for Superbowl, this looks delicious!
Mrs. L
I am so loving anything crockpotable these days as I seem to have no time to really cook! Thanks for the recipe.
Lucy
This looks so good!!! As well as my kitchen is equipped, I do not own a crockpot! Just nervous about leaving it going while at work ;(
Anonymous
Hey Lisa! I was looking forward to this one. I know that this is one recipe I can get everyone to eat. I love one pot wonders! Cousin Tracey
Priscilla
I will be making this for sure, it looks too good to pass up!
Peter M
Ahh, the ever versatile slow cooker...rendering everything flaky and tender.
These look fab & I'm hungry again.
Kaitlin
omg...these look SO good!
Mila
Lisa, great minds must think alike! I was going to do carnitas in the crockpot for Super Bowl Sunday! This looks delish! And what a coincidence, next week I am cooking all latin food, how very convenient! π
Emily
Ohhh man. I love tacos. These look great! You know what the best part about tacos? Putting sour cream on them. This is a fairly recent discovery for me.
Anne
Awesome! They had to be some reallllly good tacos!
Jennifer
Lisa,
I have a great and healthy Superbowl Snack-a-thon going on all day today.
http://savorthethyme.blogspot.com/
Debbie
Great idea...I have to try this!
Katrina
Looks great, Lisa! Love the crockpot.
ttfn300
gotta love the crockpot, these look fabulous π
Tanya
Oh this looks great! I love anything that's easy and fast, but still delicious.
alexandra's kitchen
i love braised chicken in tacos. this sounds like a perfect dish for tonight's festivities ... or any night's festivities that is.
Dawn
I bet this smells wonderful cooking away. There are many uses for this in terms of leftovers, if there are any left over. lol
Amanda
Yum these look fabulous!!
Annie
I really have to get a crock pot... I can't believe all the great recipes I miss out on, including this one. YUM!
Erica
This looks so good! I love crockpot meals and mexican so this is def for me. Perfect for the superbowl! Good luck in the contest!
Rosie
I do like my crockpot Lisa wouldn't be without it now!! This sounds a perfect recipe for my next cook-out with my crockpot!!
Rosie x
Anonymous
I made this Friday night. I love new crock pot recipes and this did not disappoint! LOVED it!! Thank you for sharing.
Jessie
This was perfect for dinner tonight it was a crowd pleaser for the game night crew we had over. This will be a regular for dinner in this house.
Anjali
I love crock pot recipes and these chicken tacos turned out great! The chicken was super tender and flavorful and I loved how easy the prep was! Yum!
Mandy
These look great, we love tacos in our household!
Natalie
That was so good! My family loved these tacos. And they are super easy to make. This recipe is definitely a keeper. Thanks!