Crockpot Chicken Tacos (Shredded Mexican Chicken)

Crockpot chicken tacos are made with minimal ingredients and cooked in the crockpot for the easiest weeknight meal you’ll ever make! Tender, juicy, and full of flavor, the shredded chicken taco meat is perfect for stuffing in tortillas, spreading over nachos, and more. Start a batch in just a few minutes for a satisfying dinner the whole family will love.

Fact: chicken tacos taste better shredded. It’s just the way it is. Shredding means that every little strand soaks up as much flavor as physically possible. And, what could be better than getting all that flavor for under five minutes of prep work? Not much I tell you, not much.

Crockpot Chicken Tacos to the Rescue

Do you have tried and true go-to meals you come back to again and again? You know, the ones that are easy to make, so tasty the whole family will actually be excited to eat, and are always a safe bet when feeding a crowd. Yeah, those.

In my home, they take the form of homemade spaghetti or these crockpot chicken tacos!

When I tell you this recipe is a lifesaver, I mean it. In fact, I rely on it so much, I find myself making it at least once a month and always have leftovers stashed away in the freezer for easy meals in a pinch. After all, you never know when the craving for a taco salad or warm chicken quesadilla is gonna strike!

Thanks to the use of my beloved crockpot, the only thing this recipe requires you to do is dump the ingredients in. Then, come back to shred the chicken just before serving, and dig in.

It doesn’t get any easier than that! Not to mention, these tacos are super forgiving. I say this because I once forgot to set my crockpot before hosting dinner… Taco Tuesday dinner to be exact. Luckily, these tacos came through for me cooking in just 2 hours.

What I thought was going to be a night of takeout and disappointment turned out to be a huge taco night success! I prefer low and slow but quick works in a pinch.

Whether you’re cooking in a rush or are a little more prepared, one bite of freshly made tacos, and I’m sure that you’ll agree that this is one recipe you need in your arsenal.

What’s the Difference Between a Crockpot and a Slow Cooker?

Often used interchangeably, crockpots and slow cookers are not *quite* the same things. The most notable difference is in the way the heat is distributed.

The heating element on slow cookers is sometimes located at the bottom while crockpots are heated from all sides. This means that some slow cookers take longer to warm and cook foods slightly differently when compared to crockpots.  That being said, most modern slow cookers are built like crockpot with heated sides and work the same way. You can use either appliance for this shredded chicken taco recipe, and your dinner will taste great.

I used a Hamilton Beach crockpot with heating elements below and in the sides.. If you’re using a slow cooker, just make sure to allow more time for the taco meat to cook.

Simple Ingredients

• Chicken – Chicken thighs are best here but chicken breast works too. Thighs lock in moisture and impart extra flavor into the dish, but you can use what you prefer. I highly recommend taking the time to trim off any excess fat.
• Spices – A combination of cumin, salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and oregano adds warm flavor and just a bit of heat. Personally, I tend to keep a big batch of my own chicken taco seasoning on hand for easy cooking!
• Salsa – Used to lock in moisture and provide even more flavor taking your tacos from good to great. I typically opt for a medium salsa for a bit of heat without overpowering the other ingredients. Either red or salsa verde is fine. However, if spice isn’t your thing, use a mild salsa instead.

I kept the ingredient limited to make this a simple recipe. f you want to dump in some green chilis, lime juice, or improvise in another way, go for it!

How to make it

The only things you’ll need for this recipe is a crockpot and two forks. No, really! Just dump everything in, set it to the cook setting and come back later. Here are the basic steps to make the recipe:

1. Trim any excess fat off chicken, and layer the chicken breasts or thighs in the bottom of your crockpot.
2. Sprinkle the seasonings on top followed by the salsa, and stir to evenly coat the chicken. It will mix together as it heats up and cooks so just a quick stir is fine.
   
3. Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 6-7 hours. Don’t over cook or your chicken will be dry. Some crockpots run hotter than others so err on the side of caution and check during cook time.
4. The final (and arguably most fun) step is shredding. You’ve got to get in there with a couple of forks and just go to town. There’s no real technique here other than shredding until you have nice thin strands. Shred the taco chicken, serve in taco shells with all your favorite toppings, and enjoy!

How to Shred Chicken Taco Meat

The easiest way to shred your cooked chicken is with two forks. Just place the tongs in the center, and pull them apart in opposite directions to shred the chicken in the crockpot. Then, repeat this step until all of the chicken has been shredded.

Before you start shredding, it will look like there is an insane amount of liquid but don’t drain it! The shredded chicken will soak that back up. That’s what makes it super moist and juicy.

I have also heard of using a hand mixer to shred chicken in a large bowl. That sounds a bit messy to me, but by all means, go for it, and good luck! 

Favorite Taco Toppings

The only thing better than a freshly made chicken taco is one that has is loaded up with all the best fixings. There’s something about taking corn or flour tortillas loading them up with all the goodies. Here are some ideas for your next taco bar:

• Easy fresh salsa or pico de gallo
• Mango avocado salsa
• Pickled red onions
• Shredded cheese
• Cilantro
• Guacamole
• Lettuce
• Sour cream
• Black beans

Serving Suggestions

Honestly, these easy slow cooker chicken tacos are super filling all on their own. However, if you want to go all out and serve them up with sides, try pairing them with Mexican bean dip, chips and guac, Mexican rice, or cilantro lime salad.

More Ways to Use Pulled Chicken Taco Meat

If you aren’t in the mood for tacos (can’t relate), there are tons of ways you can serve this shredded chicken or use up the leftovers.

I make this recipe regularly and normally do a double batch to help with meal prep. This way I can separate and freeze it into individual containers that I can pull out every time I get a chicken taco craving.

Here are some ideas to get you thinking beyond the taco:

• topping nachos
• as part of a burrito bowl
• served on a taco salad
• stuffed in a cheesy quesadilla
• rolled in chicken enchiladas
• layered in an easy chicken enchilada casserole
• folded in SW style omelets
• piled on top of baked potatoes
• tucked into lettuce wraps for a low-carb taco option

More Taco-Inspired Recipes

If you’re like me and can’t get enough tacos, you won’t want to miss these:

• Fish Tacos
• Healthy Turkey Tacos
• Taco Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps
• Pork Tenderloin Carnitas

Originally published in 2016. Post updated May 9, 2019 for content and again on November 21, 2022 for content and formatting.