Capping off a busy week, and want a no-fuss option for dinner? This Crockpot Taco Chicken recipe might be your new go-to dish! With only four ingredients and almost zero preparation time, you'll get to enjoy a meal that delivers excellent flavors with minimal effort!
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Slow cooker chicken tacos are the perfect answer if you are feeding a crowd, planning a taco bar for guests, meal prepping for the week, or just satisfying a craving! Plus, it's one of the best shredded taco chicken recipes you'll ever taste! If you love crockpot recipes try this Crockpot Pulled Pork too!
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Why You'll Love This Crockpot Taco Chicken Recipe
This 4 ingredient chicken tacos recipe is pure magic, and here are the reasons why:
- Minimal effort is needed: Just 5 minutes to prepare, and then the slow cooker takes over. It's a true set-it-and-forget-it type dish!
- Flavor-packed: A jar of salsa, taco seasoning, and green chillies blend beautifully and create a zesty base and rich flavor that the chicken absorbs.
- Versatile: It's great not only for tacos but also for nachos, rice bowls, burritos, or even salads. An ultimate crockpot Mexican chicken for Mexican nights at home!
- Crowd's favorite: It pleases the crowd in every gathering! Perfect for build-your-own tacos at family dinners, allowing everyone to customize their plate.
- Excellent for meal prep: Makes impressive leftovers for the week!
Crockpot chicken tacos might be your new favorite to make hosting a taco night more fun!
Equipment Needed
- Slow cooker or Crockpot
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Meat thermometer
- Two forks for shredding the chicken
Key Ingredients
Boneless skinless chicken breasts - Lean and rich in protein. They soak up flavor beautifully and can easily shred after slow cooking.
Salsa - You can use a homemade salsa for a more flavorful taste or your favorite brand! Chunky salsa works well for an extra layer of flavor.
Chopped green chilies - They add a mild, tangy heat that elevates the dish's overall flavor.
Taco seasoning - The secret to turning this dish into the best crockpot chicken tacos! Feel free to use store-bought seasoning or your blend. I use store bought when I'm pressed for time but I also like to make my own Chicken Taco Seasoning.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Start by layering the base. Pour the salsa and green chillies into your crockpot. It will act as the flavorful base of the chicken.
Trim any visible fat off the chicken breasts and place them in the crockpot over the salsa base.
Sprinkle the taco seasoning evenly over the chicken.
Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours. The chicken will be incredibly tender when cooked. You can also use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Remove the chicken from the crockpot and move it to a cutting board. Then, shred the chicken using the forks. It should fall apart easily.
Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and mix it with the remaining salsa. It will help to keep the chicken flavorful and juicy.
Set your crockpot to warm and prepare to build your tacos!
Serving Recommendations
This easy slow cooker pulled chicken taco is excellent for mixing and matching! Here are a few ideas you can try.
- Crunchy or soft taco shells
- Pulled chicken burrito.
- For a taco bar, consider offering toppings like shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, sour cream, guacamole or diced avocado, jalapeños for a slight kick, and lime wedges for fresh zing. These are great toppings to enjoy with the crockpot shredded chicken tacos!
- Tortilla chips to create a deconstructed taco bowl.
- Steamed rice for an amazing rice bowl!
Make Ahead
This recipe is one of the most perfect make-ahead recipes you can try! Cook the chicken ahead and reheat when ready to serve. If you like to meal prep, this recipe is perfect for making ahead for a busy work week. You can portion for lunches or make different dinners through out the week.
Storage
Leftovers? Extra servings? Yes, please!
- Store the shredded chicken in an airtight container inside the fridge up to 4 days.
- Let the shredded chicken cool completely and portion them into freezer safe containers or bags and freeze them up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
This shredded chicken crockpot meal is better the next day! Reheat on the stovetop with splash of chicken broth or extra salsa to keep it juicy or in the microwave for a minute.
Did you try this recipe? Please let me know what you think! Leave a comment below, and a 5- star rating. I would love to hear from you! Subscribe Here to get new recipes sent straight to your inbox!
Crockpot Taco Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 and ½ cups salsa
- 1 4 ounce can chopped green chilies
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Instructions
- Add salsa and green chilies to the crockpot.
- Trim any fat off the chicken breast and place them on top of the salsa mixture in the crockpot.
- Sprinkle the packet of seasoning all over the chicken breast.
- Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours, until the chicken is very tender and easily shreds with a fork. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness — the internal temperature should reach 165℉.
- Remove the chicken from the crockpot to a cutting board and use two forks to shred the meat.
- Do not discard the salsa mixture (even if it is a little watery that is okay)! Return the shredded chicken to the salsa and toss the meat to coat in the mixture. Because chicken breast can be a bit more dry they will soak up all of the juices from the salsa and help keep it moist.
- Keep crockpot on warm and set up your taco bar with tortillas, cheese, cilantro, sour cream, jalapenos, chips and any other taco toppings!
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