Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos (3-Ingredient Recipe) (2024)

ByDonna Elick

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Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacoscombine all your favorite Mexican flavors into an easy weeknight meal. Take 5 minutes to prep this crockpot chicken tacos recipe, and the meal will be ready by dinner time! This flavorful recipe is perfect for Cinco de Mayo or an easy recipe for the family.

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos (3-Ingredient Recipe) (1)

It’s time to take taco night to a whole new level! This easy meal prep is one that the whole family will appreciate and just takes a few minutes of prep time.

In my opinion, slow cooker recipes like this are a great way to create a meal that is simple – but doesn’t look that way!

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Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos

This recipe for crock pot chicken taco meat is exactly what your hectic schedule needs!

Simply blend up the salsa, pour it over some boneless breasts with taco seasoning, then set it to cook!

You’ll come home to a warm, tasty meal at the end of the day, plus no pile of dishes to worry about afterward!

If you have a hankering for fresh Mexican flavors, try mystreet corn salad! It’s sweet, tangy, and has a kick of heat that makes it a perfect lunch or side.

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Crockpot Chicken Tacos Recipe Tips

  • Make your own salsa.While a store bought jar works great, making your own is always fun!

    I have a super simpleblender salsa recipethat only takes 5 minutes to whip up.

  • Blend up two batches.Make a double serving of salsa so that half can go in with the meat and the other half can be used to serve on top of your meal.
  • Warm up your tortillas.Set them directly over a gas stovetop burner turned to low.

    Cook on each side for 1-2 minutes until tortilla puffs and/or the edges begin to char. This will add an extra bit of flavor to your dish.

  • Time saving tip:Use a stand mixer to shred your crock pot chicken taco meat!

    Fit it with the beater attachment, toss in the chicken, and run it on low for 2 to 3 minutes.

  • Feeding a crowd?You can always double or triple this crockpot chicken tacos recipe as needed, as long as your slow cooker is large enough.
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Serving Suggestions

Serve slow cooker shredded chicken tacos with all of the classic toppings like salsa,guacamole, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese.

You can even add in some veggies with shredded lettuce, pickled red onions, or jalapenos!

This crock pot chicken taco meat would be just as delicious onnachosor stuffed into quesadillas. For a low carb option, spoon it over salad or into lettuce wraps instead!

You can also add it to enchiladas, fold into an omelet, or serve it on top of a baked potato.

Any of your favorite taco toppings will be a bit hit!

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Crockpot Chicken Tacos FAQ

Can I put frozen chicken in a crockpot?

This is debatable — USDA food safety rules say no. However, I recently ran across this: onToday.com.

It is safe to cook a frozen chicken in a slow cooker,” Quin Patton, a food scientist formerly with PepsiCo, told TODAY. “You just need to make sure the internal temperature gets up to 165°F. at some point during the cooking process.”

Frozen breasts can be added directly to the crockpot, just allow an extra 30 minutes of cooking time so that they fully cook through.

What side dishes pair well with these slow cooker chicken tacos recipe?

The shredded chicken taco meat makes the best chicken tacos to eat all on their own, but don’t forget that this flavorful chicken pairs well with Mexican rice.

I also love this dish with cilantro lime rice, and refried beans as well.

How do I create a taco bar?

It’s all about adding your favorite toppings! Create a clean space, and then set out ingredients like sour cream, green chiles, black beans, your favorite salsa, taco shells, flour tortillas, corn tortillas, hot sauce, pico de Gallo, and even enchilada sauce.

You can also put extra seasonings on the table like onion powder, chili powder, brown sugar, and black pepper. Easy meals like this are simple to add basic ingredients without a ton of extra hard work.

The simple steps for creating a taco bar mean that everyone can make their own tacos, burrito bowls, taco salads, or any other dish and enjoy it however they want on a busy day.

While the recipe card below shows the steps for crockpot shredded chicken tacos, you can literally use the chicken meat for so many other varieties and options. Have fun with the flavor and variety!

How do I store leftover crock pot shredded chicken tacos?

Transfer the meat to an airtight container and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or in the microwave until warmed through.

You can also freeze crock pot shredded chicken tacos meat for up to three months! Make a big batch and portion it out to use for future meals.

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Enjoy!
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Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos (3-Ingredient Recipe)

Donna Elick

Crockpot Chicken Tacos puts fabulous favorite Mexican flavors in an easy weeknight meal. Just 5 minutes to prep this easy taco recipe!

5 stars from 1 review

Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Course Main

Cuisine Mexican

Method Slow Cooker

Servings 8 – 10

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts , (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 recipe blender salsa
  • 1/4 cup taco seasoning

Instructions

  • Place the chicken breasts in a single layer in the bottom of a 6-quart crockpot.

  • Pour the salsa and taco seasoning over the chicken.

  • Cover and cook on the high setting for 4 hours or low for 6-7 hours.

  • When the chicken has finished cooking, remove from the crockpot, shaking off the excess salsa. Use two forks to shred the chicken (it should shred easily).

  • Alternately, place the chicken breasts in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the beater attachment. Turn on the mixer, starting on low and speeding up the mixer until the chicken has shredded into even pieces.

  • Mix the shredded chicken back into the salsa/sauce.

  • Serve in tacos or use for any of your favorite Mexican chicken dishes.

Donna’s Notes

Make a double batch of blender salsa – use half for the crockpot chicken recipe and the other half for serving over the tacos.

Great taco toppings: salsa, guacamole, avocado slices, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, pickled red onions and jalapenos, grated cheese, etc.

To warm the flour tortillas and add a bit of extra flavor, set them directly over a gas stovetop burner turned onto low. Cook on each side for 1-2 minutes until tortilla puffs and/or the edges begin to char.

Frozen chicken breasts can be added directly to the crockpot (allow an extra 30 minutes cook time.)

Refrigerate for 2-3 days or freeze up to three months in an airtight container or plastic freezer bag.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 78cal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 662mg | Sugar: 1g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos (3-Ingredient Recipe) (13)

Originally published January 2022, updated and republished February 2024

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Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos (3-Ingredient Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep shredded chicken moist? ›

Avoid shredding the chicken too finely. The finer the shreds, the less succulent the chicken will be, and the more quickly it will dry out. Refrigerate shredded chicken in an airtight container with a half-cup of the poaching liquid (if available) to keep it moist and juicy for up to three days.

Why is my crockpot shredded chicken tough? ›

Aside from accidentally overcooking the meals, the most common reason we see for tough, rubbery, or overdone chicken is customers using a Crockpot that is far too big.

How many pounds of shredded chicken per person for tacos? ›

I generally use 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast per 2 people having 2 tacos, meaning that each chicken breast makes about 4 tacos (3 if they're small). I use 1 pound of chicken (about two large chicken breasts) to feed a family of 4.

Can I put frozen chicken in the crockpot? ›

Information. It is best to thaw meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker. Frozen pieces will take longer to reach a safe internal temperature and could possibly result in foodborne illness. Frozen or partially frozen foods can also cool everything else in the slow cooker.

How to keep chicken from drying out in a slow cooker? ›

Using a nice, long, low-and-slow cook time helps chicken breasts retain plenty of moisture - but you can certainly opt to add a splash of water or chicken stock to the crockpot if you like!

What is the secret to moist chicken? ›

Pounding helps tenderize the meat by breaking down its tough fibers. It also thins it out for more even cooking. Do this before frying, grilling, or roasting for better retention of moisture content. To tenderize chicken breast, place the meat on a durable, flat surface.

Is it better to cook chicken on high or low in the crockpot? ›

Always cook your boneless skinless chicken breasts on LOW for the best results. I do not recommend cooking boneless chicken breast on HIGH, as it will become very dry and tough, even if you check it early. On high, the chicken turns out drier; I consistently have the best results with low.

Does chicken get more tender the longer you slow cook it? ›

Yes, chicken breast will become softer and more tender the longer it is cooked, provided it is cooked at a low enough temperature. If it is cooked at too high of a temperature, the chicken breast will become dry and tough.

How to stop chicken falling apart in a slow cooker? ›

Not if you're using a leaner cut in the slow cooker, like chicken breast or pork chops. To help keep these cuts moist, decrease the cook time to 2-4 hours. While it cooks, check out our collection of crockpot chicken breast recipes.

How many people does 2lbs of shredded chicken feed? ›

That's assuming that the pulled chicken is only part of the meal. You would normally serve coleslaw, beans, corn, or some vegetable too. And either make the chicken into sandwiches or serve with some kind of bread. If all you are serving is the pulled chicken, you should count on 2 people per pound.

How many pounds is 4 cups of shredded chicken? ›

Generally: 1 1/2 pounds of boneless chicken will yield about 4 cups of shredded chicken. 1 (8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast will yield about 1 1/3 cups of shredded chicken.

How many tacos will 1lb of meat make? ›

How much ground beef per taco? Each taco shell or small soft taco-size tortilla fits about 2 ounces or 1/4 cup of meat. If you add diced onions, you could stretch a pound of ground beef to make about a dozen tacos. With just the meat and spices, you can make about 8 tacos from a pound of meat.

Why do they call it crack chicken? ›

Lansing, Michigan is home for the Crack Chicken. A great seasoning for all your favorite foods. Started in 2003, customers tried our famous chicken and came back for more. Their addiction to this delicious taste made them call it Crack Chicken, and that's how the name started, and cracked the food industry world.

When should you not use frozen chicken? ›

Per FSIS-USDA guidelines, if kept frozen continuously, chicken will be safe indefinitely, so after freezing, it's not important if any package dates expire. For best quality, taste and texture, keep whole raw chicken in the freezer up to one year; parts, 9 months; and giblets or ground chicken, 3 to 4 months.

Is it safe to cook chicken in a slow cooker? ›

Yes, if you use them correctly. The slow cooker cooks foods slowly at a low temperature, generally between 170 and 280 degrees F, over several hours. The combination of direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking and steam, destroys bacteria making the slow cooker a safe process for cooking foods.

How do you add moisture to dry shredded chicken? ›

If you find yourself with too-dry chicken, heat some broth in a pot or your microwave until it's hot but not boiling. Slice the chicken, and layer it into a shallow baking dish. Pour in the chicken broth, and keep the dish warm for 10 to 15 minutes in your oven or over a low burner.

How do you make pulled chicken less dry? ›

Chicken stock or broth is the best liquid to impart flavor and moisture back into dry chicken. Warm your broth over a medium heat until it is hot but not boiling. Place your shredded chicken in the pan until it is barely covered with enough broth to coat the chicken.

What can I put on my chicken to keep it moist? ›

Don't settle for dry, boring chicken breasts. One simple ingredient will add flavor and keep them from drying out every time: mayo. You read that correctly, mayonnaise isn't just for sandwiches and macaroni salads. Oh no, it's great for ensuring juicy, tender chicken too.

Should I store shredded chicken in liquid? ›

If not using immediately, store the shredded chicken with some of the cooking liquid to keep it moist.

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