If taco night is a regular thing in your house, these Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos are about to make it even easier. Tender shredded chicken cooks slowly with garlic, onions, green chiles, beans, and bold taco seasoning until it's packed with flavor and ready to pile into warm tortillas.
The slow cooker does all the work while you go about your day, and when dinner time rolls around, all that's left to do is shred the chicken and load up your tacos with your favorite toppings. It's hearty, satisfying, and perfect for feeding a hungry crowd.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
These tacos are the kind of dinner that makes busy days easier. They're simple, flavorful, and incredibly versatile.
Easy to make - No complicated steps here! Just season the chicken, add everything to the slow cooker, and let it do the work while you get on with your day.
Simple easy-to-find ingredients - All you need are some pantry staples and fresh herbs, to create bold, delicious flavors that work together to create tender, flavorful chicken.
Great for weeknights - Busy schedule? No problem. Throw everything in the slow cooker in the morning and come home to wonderful aromas and a stress-free dinner.
Perfect for feeding a family - The slow cooker makes a generous amount of juicy taco filling that everyone can customize with their favorite toppings.
Versatility - Use it in tacos, burritos, bowls, nachos, or salads for an easy meal throughout the week.
Ingredients and What They Bring to the Meal
This recipe uses everyday ingredients that work together to create flavorful, juicy shredded chicken perfect for taco night. This is what you'll need:
- Chicken breasts - Boneless, skinless chicken breasts become tender and easy to shred after slow cooking.
- Taco seasoning - Adds bold Mexican-inspired flavor with a blend of spices.
- Cilantro - Fresh cilantro brings brightness and a pop of fresh flavor.
- Onion - Adds savory depth and sweetness as it cooks.
- Chopped green chiles - Mild heat and smoky flavor that complements the chicken.
- Black beans - Add heartiness and make the filling more satisfying.
- Garlic - Provides a rich, savory flavor that builds the base of the dish.
- Chicken broth - Keeps the chicken moist while it cooks and creates a flavorful cooking liquid.
- Lime - Acts as a flavor enhancer and balances out the richer, creamier toppings while adding a fresh, more zesty edge to the chicken.
Ingredient Notes
Using boneless, skinless chicken breasts keeps the recipe lean and easy to shred. Chicken thighs can also be used if you prefer a slightly richer flavor and even more tender meat.
Taco seasoning can be store-bought for convenience or homemade if you want to control the salt and spice levels.
Green chiles add a mild warmth rather than strong heat. If you enjoy spicier tacos, you can add diced jalapeños or use hot green chiles.
Black beans help make the filling heartier and stretch the recipe further, making it great for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week.
Fresh cilantro adds brightness to balance the richness of the chicken and broth. If you're not a cilantro fan, it can be reduced or omitted.
How to Make Chicken Tacos in a Slow Cooker
This recipe is incredibly simple and mostly hands-off, making it perfect for busy days. Here's what to do:
- Season chicken breasts on all sides with taco seasoning. Lay in the bottom of your crockpot.
- Add chopped cilantro, onion, green chiles, black beans, and minced garlic.
- Pour chicken broth over all.
- Give it a stir then cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours. Check the chicken at 3 hours and see if it is done and can be easily shredded. You do not want to overcook the chicken as it can dry out.
- Remove the chicken and shred with two forks. Squeeze a lime over the chicken.
- Place back in the broth and let it soak up some of the flavors of the sauce.
Serve the chicken tacos with browned soft tortillas and let everyone add their favorite taco toppings. I like to serve mine with lettuce, tomato, chopped avocado, salsa, sour cream, and shredded cheese. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips for Success
A few simple tips will help ensure your slow cooker chicken tacos turn out perfect every time.
- Use large chicken breasts so the meat stays juicy and shreds nicely.
- Avoid overcooking the chicken, as it can become dry if left too long in the slow cooker.
- Shred the chicken while it's still warm for the easiest texture.
- Mix the shredded chicken back into the broth so it absorbs even more flavor.
- If the mixture seems too liquidy, remove some broth before serving.
- For extra flavor, squeeze fresh lime juice over the shredded chicken before serving.
Recipe Variations to Make It Your Own
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize based on your tastes.
- Add corn for a touch of sweetness and extra texture.
- Stir in diced jalapeños or chipotle peppers for more heat.
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a richer flavor.
- Replace black beans with pinto beans.
- Add a can of diced tomatoes or salsa for extra saucy taco filling.
- Top with fresh lime juice for a bright citrus finish.
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Taco Toppings
Toppings are where you can really customize your tacos and add even more flavor and texture.
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- Sour cream
- Sliced avocado
- Guacamole
- Pico de gallo
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Sliced jalapeños
What to Serve with Chicken Tacos
These tacos pair perfectly with classic Mexican sides and a refreshing drink.
- Baked Tortilla Chips - Crispy homemade chips that are perfect for dipping.
- Homemade Guacamole - Creamy avocado dip that pairs beautifully with tacos.
- Spicy Queso - Warm cheesy dip with a kick of spice.
- Mexican Rice - A classic side that adds heartiness to taco night.
- Refried Beans - Creamy and comforting, perfect alongside tacos.
- Margarita on the Rocks - A refreshing cocktail that completes the meal.
Other Ways to Serve the Shredded Chicken
This flavorful shredded chicken isn't just for tacos. It can be used in many other easy meals.
- Taco bowls with rice and toppings
- Burritos or burrito bowls
- Nachos piled high with cheese and toppings
- Quesadillas with melted cheese
- Taco salads
- Stuffed into enchiladas or tostadas
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
Storing: Store leftover shredded chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Place cooled chicken in freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Reheat in a saucepan on the stove over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through. Adding a splash of broth can help keep the chicken moist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Chicken thighs work very well and will produce slightly richer, more tender shredded chicken.
Absolutely. Add diced jalapeños, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, or extra chili powder.
Yes. Cooking on high will take about 1-½ to 2 hours.
Yes. The shredded chicken reheats very well, making it perfect for meal prep or entertaining.
It's best to thaw chicken before slow cooking for even cooking and food safety.
More Mexican Recipes with Chicken
If you enjoy these tacos, here are more delicious chicken recipes with bold Mexican flavors.
- Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos - Crispy rolled tortillas filled with creamy chicken and baked until golden.
- Baked Salsa Chicken - Juicy chicken baked with salsa and topped with melted cheese.
- Chicken Tinga Tostadas - Smoky shredded chicken served on crunchy tostadas.
- Smothered Green Chile Chicken Burritos - Hearty burritos covered in a flavorful green chile sauce.
- White Chicken Enchiladas - Creamy enchiladas filled with tender chicken and topped with a rich sauce.
Find lots of easy slow cooker recipes and Mexican food recipes right here on 2CM!
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Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
- 4 large chicken breasts
- ¼ cup taco Seasoning (2 packets store-bought seasoning)
- 1 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 8 ounces chopped green chiles (2 4-ounce cans)
- 30 ounces black beans drained (2 15-ounce cans)
- 4-6 cloves garlic, chopped fine
- 2 cups chicken broth (or 1 cup chicken broth & 1 cup salsa)
- 12 6" soft flour tortillas
- 1 lime squeezed over chicken
- Garnishes: chopped lettuce & tomatoes, grated cheddar cheese, sliced avocado, sour cream, salsa
Instructions
- Season chicken breasts with taco seasoning. Place in bottom of slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients then pour chicken broth over all.
- Cover and cook 3-4 hours on low.
- When done, remove chicken and shred with fork. Squeeze a lime over chicken. Place the chicken back into the slow cooker so that it can absorb some of the broth. When ready to serve, remove chicken to a serving bowl.
- Serve with soft tortillas (I like to brown mine slightly in hot dry pan), chopped lettuce & tomato, grated cheddar cheese, avocado, salsa, & sour cream.
Notes
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Nutrition
This post has been updated with step-by-step directions, tasty variations, and side dish suggestions. It was first published on August 7, 2015.
Beth Lee says
OMG! How smart to put the beans in there too! I have never tried that. Great idea.
Linda Warren says
I love beans with my tacos so it seemed like the right thing to do. 🙂
Britni says
These look yummy! And who doesn't love tacos. Thank you!
Linda Warren says
Amen to that! Tacos are one of my all time faves for sure.