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Tender Crockpot Chicken Tacos Recipe

Tender Crockpot Chicken Tacos Recipe


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4.6 from 20 reviews

  • Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes (on low)
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Slow-cooker Mexican chicken tacos elevate weeknight dinners with minimal effort. Zesty spices and tender meat create irresistible flavor combinations for quick family meals you’ll crave.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (907 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1 packet (28 g) taco seasoning
  • 1 cup (240 ml) salsa
  • ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth or water
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) chili powder
  • 1 tsp (5 g) cumin
  • 1 tsp (5 g) paprika
  • 1 tsp (5 g) garlic powder
  • 1 tsp (5 g) onion powder
  • ½ tsp (2.5 g) oregano
  • ½ tsp (2.5 g) salt
  • ¼ tsp (1.25 g) black pepper
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Shredded cheese
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Chopped lettuce
  • Guacamole or sliced avocado
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • Chopped cilantro

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Layer chicken breasts evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker.
  2. Seasoning: Coat chicken thoroughly with taco seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder for maximum flavor infusion.
  3. Liquid Base: Pour salsa and chicken broth over the seasoned meat, ensuring complete coverage and moisture retention.
  4. Slow Cooking: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until chicken becomes exceptionally tender and easily separates.
  5. Shredding and Finishing: Use two forks to break down the chicken directly in the cooking liquid, then drizzle with lime juice and mix to incorporate all seasonings.
  6. Final Touches: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  7. Serving: Warm tortillas or taco shells and fill with the succulent chicken, then garnish with fresh cilantro, diced onions, sliced avocado, or additional salsa to elevate the dish.

Notes

  • Optimize Chicken Placement: Arrange chicken breasts in a single, flat layer to ensure even cooking and consistent heat distribution throughout the slow cooker.
  • Liquid Balance Technique: Add just enough salsa and broth to cover the chicken, preventing dryness while maintaining optimal moisture for tender, flavorful meat.
  • Shredding Pro Tip: Wait until chicken is completely fall-apart tender before shredding, using two forks to pull meat apart gently and allow maximum seasoning absorption.
  • Dietary Flexibility Options: Swap chicken breasts with thighs for richer flavor, use low-sodium seasonings for heart-conscious diets, or replace traditional tortillas with lettuce wraps for low-carb alternatives.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 hours (on low) or 3 hours (on high)
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 500 mg
  • Fat: 5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 38 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg