Slow Cooker Taco Chicken Recipe
This easy and flavorful Shredded Slow Cooker Taco Chicken is one of my go-to quick meals during busy weeks. Combining chicken, taco seasoning, and a few other ingredients, you can have delicious taco meat ready in a few hours with minimal hands-on time.
The chicken cooks slowly in the crockpot until perfectly tender and infused with spice and flavor. Once cooked, it shreds up easily for serving. This versatile taco chicken is great for tacos, burritos, nachos, salads, bowls, and beyond. Top it with your favorite taco toppings!
The best part is how easy this recipe comes together. Toss the ingredients in the slow cooker, let it work its magic, and shredded taco chicken is ready for whatever you need. With just 20 minutes of prep time, you can have a flavorful, crowd-pleasing dinner ready when needed. Leftovers store well for quick lunches or dinners later in the week.
This recipe is about to become a regular in your dinner rotation! Slow cooker meals make weeknights simple.
Ingredients:
Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
Seasoning:
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- Kosher salt to taste
Oil:
- Avocado oil or other oil for coating
For Serving:
- Tortillas
- Refried beans
- Salsa
- Cheese
- Lettuce
How To Make The Taco Chicken In The Slow Cooker
Preparing the Chicken:
- Take two boneless, skinless chicken breasts and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Cutting the chicken into smaller pieces will help it cook faster and more evenly in the slow cooker.
Seasoning the Chicken:
- Add a small amount of avocado oil or other oil to the chicken pieces and toss to coat. The oil will help prevent the chicken from sticking together.
- Sprinkle 1 packet of taco seasoning mix over the chicken. Toss to distribute the seasoning evenly over all the pieces. The taco seasoning will add lots of flavor.
- Add a pinch of kosher salt and mix again. The salt enhances the other flavors.
Cooking the Chicken:
- Place the seasoned chicken pieces into the slow cooker. Spread them out in an even layer on the bottom.
- Cook on LOW for 2-3 hours. The low heat and extended cooking time will ensure the chicken cooks through fully and ends up tender and moist.
- If cooking a larger batch, it may need slightly longer cooking time. Cook until chicken is very tender when pierced with a fork.
Shredding/Serving:
- Once cooked, use two forks to shred or chop the chicken as desired. Shredding will help distribute the flavors.
- Serve the taco chicken in tortillas, burritos, over rice, or however you like. Top with desired taco toppings like beans, salsa, cheese, lettuce, etc.
What To Serve With Slow Cooker Taco Chicken
Here are some tasty options for sides and extras to serve with slow-cooker taco chicken:
- Tortillas – Warm flour or corn tortillas to make tacos or burritos. Soft taco shells also work great.
- Beans – Black beans, pinto beans, or refried beans add protein.
- Rice – Spanish rice, cilantro lime rice, or Mexican rice complement the flavors.
- Salsa – Fresh pico de gallo, tomatillo salsa, or jarred salsa adds a flavor punch.
- Cheese – Shredded cheddar, queso fresco, Monterey jack, or Mexican blend cheese.
- Lettuce – Shredded lettuce provides crunch. Romaine or Iceberg work well.
- Diced onions and cilantro – Raw white or red and fresh cilantro add flavor and texture.
- Sour cream – Cooling sour cream balances the spices.
- Guacamole – For extra creaminess, add fresh guacamole.
- Lime wedges – Fresh limes add bright citrus flavor.
- Tortilla chips – On the side for scooping up any extras.
- Hot sauce – Offer bottled hot sauce for those who want an extra kick.
FAQs
Yes, chicken thighs would work well too. They may require slightly longer cooking time.
You can use a packet of store-bought taco seasoning or make your own blend with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, etc.
No, the chicken can go straight into the slow cooker raw. No searing is required.
Be sure not to overcook it. Shred it as soon as it is fully cooked through. The juices will keep it moist.
Yes! Cook the chicken 1-2 days ahead. Store shredded chicken in the fridge until ready to serve.
Absolutely. Increase cook time by 1-2 hours for a larger batch to fully cook through.
Reheat shredded chicken in a skillet with a little water or broth until warmed through. Or reheat in the microwave.
Slow Cooker Taco Chicken Recipe
Tender, flavorful taco chicken made easy in the slow cooker.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- Oil for coating
- Kosher salt to taste
Instructions
- Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and coat with avocado oil. This prevents sticking.
- Toss chicken with taco seasoning and kosher salt until evenly coated. This adds lots of flavor.
- Cook chicken in slow cooker on low heat for 2-3 hours. The low temp makes it tender.
- Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken. Shredding distributes the flavors.
- Serve shredded chicken in tortillas or over rice. Top with desired taco toppings.
- Customize your tacos with salsa, cheese, lettuce, beans, etc. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: Per ServingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 230 kcalTotal Fat: 8gCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 43g