Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

Name: Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 130 min
Ingredients: 1½ to 2 lbs chicken breast (trimmed); 1 red pepper (diced); 1 green pepper (diced); 1 onion (diced); 2 tablespoons taco seasoning; ¼ cup chicken stock

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Crock Pot Chicken Tacos are SO good! There's just something so satisfying about picking up that warm tortilla stuffed with goodness and then using the delicate head tilt maneuver to enjoy all the deliciousness.

The chicken is super tender with the just right amount of seasoning and spice and best of all, you just toss all the ingredients in the crock pot and it cooks itself!

3 crock pot chicken tacos sitting in a newspaper lined box. There is a small black ramekin dish filled with guacamole next to the tacos inside of the box. Each taco is stuffed with chicken, red cabbage, cheese and cilantro. There is a half a lime next to the guac too and leftover grated cheese in a bowl next to the taco box.

What's your favorite?

Hard shell or soft shell? Franks? Sriracha? Tapatio? Avocado Jalapeño Crema? Pickled cabbage? Fruit Salsa? Oh, the boundless combinations are beautiful and we haven't even arrived at the best part. The protein.

Ok, well, since we're friends here. I'm going to admit that the margaritas are the best part for me personally. But the chicken is really, really tasty too.

Why I Love Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

A large wooden tray with black metal handles is laid out with all the tacos and toppings. There is a newspaper lined box containing 3 chicken tacos topped with red cabbage, cheese and cilantro. Inside the box, next to the tacos is a a lime half and a small black ramekin dish filled with guacamole with a silver spoon in it. On the rest of the tray there is a black plate with more crock pot chicken on top, a lime ring, a black bowl of red cabbage and a dark colored bowl filled with cheese. Left over taco shells are piled on top of each other in the corner of the tray and extra cilantro and lime is scattered over the rest of the tray.

Pork, beef, tofu or even brussels sprouts! Those other meats and veggies can have their day in the tortilla.

Today, we're talking about chicken. Juicy, tender, shredded, perfectly seasoned, chicken. And these crock pot chicken tacos are totally going to taste even better because all you need is two-ish hours and a crock pot.

This weeknight staple is so ridiculously mindless to make. Just add everything to the crock pot and let it go. Shred the meat and pick how you want to eat it.

It's just spicy enough without being too spicy for the kids, too.

Close up of the cooked ingredients for the tacos. On a black metal plate with handles the crock pot chicken is resting with a fork in it. There is a ring of lime in the middle and 2 dark bowls, one filled with red cabbage, the other filled with grated cheese. In the corner there is a pile of cilantro and more lime, in another corner you can just about see the newspaper lined box with 3 chicken tacos inside.

Ingredients and Substitutions

This recipe is SO easy, it only requires 5 ingredients and some seasoning so there aren't too many substitutions, you can of course mix it up.

Sometimes you have to work with whats in the fridge!!

All the ingredients required to make crock pot chicken for inside your tacos. On a white wooden table is a ceramic plate with raw chicken, a white bowl of chicken stock and a small white bowl with taco seasoning. There is a small wooden chopping board with a red and green pepper and 2 brown onions sitting on the edge of the board.

Protein: Chicken breast is easy and lean, but if you want to use chicken thighs like in this chipotle chicken copycat, go for it!

Veggies: Red and green veggies are my go-to but you can use yellow and orange peppers too!

Seasoning: If you like your tacos extra spicy then throw in some extra cayenne pepper or even chop up some chilies and add them in with the peppers for a fiery flavor! This recipe calls for taco seasoning for a burst of flavor while also being super easy.

How to Make Mexican Chicken Crock Pot Tacos

On a wooden chopping board with a handle, red pepper, green pepper and onion have been diced and are laying next to each other on the board.

Add diced peppers and onion to the crock pot. Layer chicken breast evenly on top of vegetables.

Chicken has been placed in the bottom of a black slow cooker / crockpot. There is a hand sprinkling the taco seasoning from a white bowl into the pot to cover the chicken.

Sprinkle with seasoning. Add chicken stock.

The lid has been removed from the crock pot to reveal the cooked chicken, the top has turned a dark color and the is a small amount of liquid in the bottom of the pot.

Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or 4-5 hours on low heat until the chicken is tender and easily pulls apart.

The chicken has been shredded between 2 forks and placed on a red plate with the 2 forks sitting on top.

Using two forks, shred the chicken breast. Mix shredded chicken breast with the vegetables and juices remaining in the crock pot.

FAQs

What do I do with leftovers?

Any leftover chicken and veg can be placed in an airtight container and shoved into the fridge. Whip it out when you're ready for another taco night and reheat it either on the stovetop or even microwave it for a few minutes. The chicken will last up to 4 days in the fridge.

Can I freeze this cooked chicken?

Yes, make sure it has fully cooled before putting it in a ziplock bag or airtight container. It will last up to 3 months in the freezer! Just make sure to fully defrost it before reheating it.

Do I need to brown the meat before adding it to the crock pot?

No - that's great right?! Just toss it in with the stock and veggies and it will cook slowly to perfection!

Top Tips for Tacos

If you're not currently heating up your tortillas, do it. For gas stove users, you don't even need a pan. Just a super low flame and a watchful eye. 20-30 seconds on each side and you have perfectly warmed tacos shells that can hold all the toppings you can manage.

If electric is your stove style, a small nonstick pan (no spray or butter) will get the job done.

Close up image of newspaper lined box filled with 3 tacos, you can only just see the third taco in the background. The middle taco has had a bite taken out of it. Next to the tacos, nearest the camera, is a small black bowl filled with smooth guacamole and a silver spoon, there is a lime next to it and cilantro garnishing everything.

Refried beans are a taco's best friend. Have you ever experienced the dreaded soggy taco?

To prevent a mushy Crock Pot Chicken Taco tortilla, spread a little refried bean on the tortilla before adding all your juicy ingredients.

Other Ways to Enjoy Healthy Spicy Shredded Chicken

You loved this Mexican shredded chicken, you made loads of it because it was so easy, and now you have plenty left over. If you don't want tacos 2 nights in a row - which is hard to understand - there are loads of other ways to utilize this tender chicken.

Make a burrito or a burrito bowl with rice and guac.

Or stuff some peppers with the chicken, top them with cheese and bake it for a quick and easy yet full-on taste meal.

Newspaper lined box filled with 3 chicken tacos. Each taco is topped with red cabbage, cheese and cilantro. There is a small dark bucket filled with guacamole and lime in one corner and a small bowl of grated cheese in another corner.

You could even make chicken grilled cheese or wraps, or really anything you can think of. My personal favorite is over salad with chipotle lime dressing.

This Crock Pot Chicken Taco recipe is so versatile, once you know how to make the delicious Mexican chicken in the slow cooker, you'll be putting it in everything!

Taco Party Must Haves

Tacos are good on their own, but they're better when joined with all the fixings.

Guac lovers in the house? The avocado reaches guacamole nirvana is this Lobster Guacamole that's sure to impress your friends and your taste buds.

Follow up the guac with a bowl of Mexican Black Bean Soup.

If chicken isn't your style, or maybe you believe two meats are better than one, try these San Diego style Carne Asada Tacos filled with tender Flank Steak!

Don't get caught with a super spicy bite or a mouthful of taco and nothing to wash it down! Try this delicious blend of sweet and spice in this Spicy Pineapple Margarita from FeastinThyme. Or get your fruit on with this fresh Melon-Basil Margarita. Salt, sugar, or no rim at all tequila and tacos are a perfect pairing.

C'mon and meet me at the taco bar, we can taco 'bout all your favorite taco things.

If you loved this Crock Pot Chicken Taco, please consider leaving a star rating and comment below! Don't forget to tag @hungerthirstplay when you post on Instagram and Facebook so I can see all your hard work!

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

Taco night just got even easier! Juicy, healthy, shredded chicken taco meat with peppers, onions, and the perfect blend of traditional spices made in the crock pot!

5 from 3 votes

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Course: Main Course, tacos

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: crock pot meals, slow cooker chicken, slow cooker chicken tacos

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 2 hrs

Total Time: 2 hrs 10 mins

Servings: people

Calories: 147kcal

Author: Lauren

Equipment

3 to 5 quart crock pot

Ingredients

Instructions

Add diced peppers and onion to the crock pot. Layer chicken breast evenly on top of vegetables.
1 red pepper, 1 green pepper, 1 onion, 1½ to 2 lbs chicken breast
Sprinkle with seasoning. Add chicken stock. Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or 4-5 hours on low heat until the chicken is tender and easily pulls apart.
2 tablespoons taco seasoning, ¼ cup chicken stock
Using two forks, shred the chicken breast. Mix shredded chicken breast with the vegetables and juices remaining in the crock pot. Serve over tortillas, salads, or rice!