These Crockpot Chicken Tacos are one of our very favorite weeknight meals. They are easy, prep-free, and absolutely delicious. Whether you are just feeding the family or entertaining company, these tacos are always a crowd pleaser!
Why We Love These Crockpot Chicken Tacos
This recipe is honestly one of the most simple recipes that I make. The best part is, there is no prep required. Just grab the ingredients and throw them into your crockpot! There are only 3 main ingredients for this recipe: chicken, salsa, and taco seasoning. Cook for a few hours, shred, and boom! Dinner is done. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
It’s also crazy delicious. It makes a regular appearance as a quick weeknight meal, but it’s also great for entertaining! It’s hands-off, which gives me plenty of time for my guests. Add lots of toppings, tortilla options, and some cilantro rice, and you have a fantastic spread that everyone will love. Trust me on this one!
Ingredients for Crockpot Chicken Tacos:
- Chicken– You can use thighs or breasts. Thighs generally turn out more moist than breasts due to the higher fat content. But I always have frozen chicken breasts on hand, so that is usually what I use.
- Taco Seasoning– Buying the taco seasoning packets is great, super quick and convenient. But if you have a little bit of extra time, making your own is really delicious and a bit more versatile in flavor. Here is our homemade taco seasoning recipe.
- Salsa– The type of salsa you use in the recipe will really determine the flavor. There are so many different types of salsas – chunky, smooth, blended, spicy, mild, more smoky….. Choose your favorite salsa for this recipe and you will love the flavor of the chicken!
How To Make Crockpot Chicken Tacos:
- Add chicken to your crockpot. Sprinkle with taco seasoning and pour the salsa over the top.
- Cook on low for 5-6 hours. You can also cook on high for 3-4 hours. Because chicken breast cooks faster, you might want to use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. All poultry should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. You want it to easily shred, but not be dry.
- Shred the chicken. Remove the chicken to a cutting board and shred with two forks. Return the chicken to the crockpot and toss with the sauce.
- Put the chicken in tortillas. You can use flour or corn. Pro tip: cooking soft tortillas in a hot skillet or heating crunchy tacos in the oven really takes these tacos to the next level.
- Add toppings. Top your tacos with sliced avocados, fresh tomatoes, shredded cabbage, grated cheese, and/or sour cream.
Tips & Suggestions:
Can I make Crockpot Chicken Tacos in the Instant Pot?
Yes! This recipe works great in an Instant Pot. Set to PRESSURE COOK or MANUAL for 15 minutes. When it’s done, do a quick pressure release.
How long can I store leftover chicken?
Leftover shredded chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days, or you can freeze it for up to 4 months.
What salsa should I use for Crockpot Chicken Tacos?
Because there are only a couple of ingredients in this chicken taco recipe, you want to make sure that you use a salsa that you love! I prefer using a smoother salsa, as opposed to a chunky salsa. The level of heat, smokiness, sweetness, etc. will all depend on the salsa that you use.
What should I serve on my Crockpot Chicken Tacos?
The best thing about tacos are the toppings! Some of our favorite taco toppings are:
- Avocados
- Tomatoes
- Lettuce
- Cabbage
- Cheese
- Fresh Cilantro
- Plain Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream
- Fresh Lime Juice
- Red Onion
- Radishes
- Jicama
- Mango Salsa
Other ways to enjoy this Crockpot Chicken Taco Recipe:
Because this recipe is so fast, easy, and delicious- I make it a lot! Here are some other delicious ways to serve it.
- Wrap it up with rice and cheese and bake for chicken burritos.
- Add it to your cheese quesadillas.
- Use leftover shredded chicken to make nachos.
- Use it to make taco salads.
- Wrap into tortillas and bake for easy chicken taquitos.
- Serve over cilantro rice with avocado lime dressing.
More Taco Recipes To Try:
- Taco Bowl with Avocado Lime Dressing
- Fish Tacos with Pineapple Salsa
- Instant Pot Pulled Pork Tacos
- Best Ever Taco Soup
Crockpot Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken boneless skinless thighs or breasts
- 16 ounces salsa your favorite kind
- 1/4 cup taco seasoning homemade or 1 store bought packet (1.25 oz)
- 8 medium tortillas corn or flour
Serve with:
- shredded cheese, sliced avocado, diced tomatoes, diced bell pepper, chopped lettuce or cabbage, sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, lime wedges
Instructions
- Add chicken to the bottom of your crockpot. Sprinkle with taco seasoning, and then pour salsa over the top.
- Cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Once cooked through, remove the chicken to a cutting board and use two forks to shred. You can also put chicken in a large bowl and use a hand mixer to shred the chicken. Once shredded, put back in the crockpot and mix with the remaining sauce.
- Serve warm with corn or flour tortillas and your favorite taco toppings. Enjoy!
