Crockpot Chicken Tacos – With just a few ingredients and minimal prep, you can have tender, flavorful chicken that’s perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, or even salads.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless: Dump everything into the crockpot, and let it work its magic.
- Versatile: Use the chicken for tacos, quesadillas, salads, or meal-prep bowls.
- Healthy: This recipe uses lean chicken breast and wholesome ingredients, making it a nutritious option.
- Customizable: Spice it up or keep it mild, and experiment with different toppings and taco shells.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To get started on these Crockpot Chicken Tacos, you’ll need just a handful of basic ingredients:
- Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are perfect for this recipe. They shred easily and soak up all the flavors.
- Taco seasoning: You can use a store-bought packet or make your own taco seasoning with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Salsa: Choose your favorite kind! A jar of chunky salsa or a smooth one works great. It adds flavor and keeps the chicken moist.
- Chicken broth: This helps prevent the chicken from drying out, adding moisture and flavor.
Optional add-ins:
- Diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel): For extra flavor and a bit of spice.
- Onion and garlic: Fresh aromatics that add depth to the dish.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Crockpot Chicken Tacos
- Use Chicken Thighs for Extra Juiciness: If you prefer a richer flavor, swap out chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They tend to be more forgiving and stay juicy longer.
- Double the Batch for Meal Prep: Crockpot Chicken Tacos are perfect for meal prep. Double the recipe and freeze half for a quick dinner later.
- Adjust the Spice Level: If you’re making this for a crowd, you can adjust the heat level by choosing a mild, medium, or hot salsa. Adding jalapeños or chipotle peppers can also kick things up a notch.
- Layer the Flavors: Add a squeeze of lime juice and a handful of chopped cilantro after shredding the chicken to freshen up the dish.
Delicious Variations to Try
- Creamy Crockpot Chicken Tacos: Add a block of cream cheese in the last 30 minutes of cooking. Stir it into the shredded chicken for a rich, creamy twist.
- Green Chile Chicken Tacos: Swap the salsa for a can of green enchilada sauce and diced green chilies for a tangy, spicy version.
- Crockpot Chicken Taco Bowls: Serve the shredded chicken over rice with black beans, corn, avocado, and shredded cheese for a delicious burrito bowl alternative.
- Spicy Chicken Tacos: Mix in some adobo sauce from canned chipotle peppers for a smoky, spicy kick.
How to Serve Crockpot Chicken Tacos
Now that you have your delicious shredded chicken, it’s time to think about how to serve it. Here are some ideas:
- Soft or Hard Tacos: Use flour or corn tortillas and top with shredded lettuce, cheese, sour cream, and guacamole.
- Lettuce Wraps: For a low-carb option, serve the chicken in large lettuce leaves and top with salsa and avocado.
- Taco Salad: Layer the chicken over mixed greens with black beans, corn, shredded cheese, and a drizzle of ranch or avocado dressing.
- Quesadillas: Use the shredded chicken as a filling for quesadillas along with plenty of cheese and sautéed onions.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- In the Refrigerator: Store leftover shredded chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- In the Freezer: Place the chicken in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm the chicken in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of chicken broth to keep it moist.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken for Crockpot Chicken Tacos?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but it’s important to note that it will increase the cooking time. You may need to cook it on high for 4-5 hours or low for 7-8 hours. Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F before shredding.
Do I need to brown the chicken before adding it to the crockpot?
Nope! One of the best things about this recipe is how simple it is. There’s no need to brown the chicken first; just toss it into the crockpot raw, and it will come out perfectly tender.
Can I make this recipe spicier?
Absolutely! To increase the heat, you can use a spicy salsa, add chopped jalapeños, or mix in some chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
What can I use if I don’t have taco seasoning?
If you don’t have taco seasoning on hand, you can easily make your own with common pantry spices. Combine 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of cumin, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika, and a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat.
Crockpot Chicken Tacos
Crockpot Chicken Tacos - With just a few ingredients and minimal prep, you can have tender, flavorful chicken that's perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, or even salads.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup diced tomatoes with chilies (or a 10 oz can of Rotel)
- 1 cup salsa
- ½ onion, diced
- 1 oz taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade)
Instructions
- Mix together the salsa, diced tomatoes, and taco seasoning.
- Place the diced onions and chicken breasts in the slow cooker, then pour the tomato mixture over the top.
- Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender.
- Remove the chicken, shred it with forks, and return it to the slow cooker to mix with the juices.
- Serve in taco shells, over rice bowls, or even on top of salads or pizzas!
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 259Total Fat 5gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 102mgSodium 1131mgCarbohydrates 13gFiber 4gSugar 6gProtein 39g
All Chicken Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts: Why Crockpot Chicken Tacos Should Be Your Next Meal
Crockpot Chicken Tacos are not only delicious but also incredibly versatile. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just want to make weeknight dinners easier, this recipe is a must-try. With simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can create tender, flavorful chicken that’s perfect for tacos, bowls, or salads. Plus, with all the variations, you can make this recipe your own and switch it up every time.
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