Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos

Enjoy the taste of Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos, where tender chicken gets a flavor boost from homemade taco seasoning! This easy recipe makes perfectly slow-cooked chicken ready to tuck into tortillas and customize with your favorite toppings!

Taco night is a staple in our house. As an experienced home chef, it’s one of my favorite nights for two reasons. One, tacos are delicious and customizable, which makes everyone happy. And two, tacos are simple to prepare and cook, especially when using your slow cooker!

This recipe uses lean chicken breast, a jar of your favorite salsa, homemade taco seasoning, corn, and black beans to create my easy Mexican shredded chicken. This ingredient combo gets placed in the slow cooker, so the low and slow heat tenderizes the chicken while infusing it with Mexican flavor.

While my family prefers chicken breasts, chicken thighs work well as they can be juicier and add more flavor.

Homemade Taco Seasoning

What really makes this dish stand out is the addition of homemade taco seasoning. Making your own taco seasoning allows for full control over the ingredients. It’s cost-effective, reduces waste from packaging, and allows you to adjust the spice levels and flavors to suit your palate. Plus, it’s as easy as measuring the spices, adding them to a bowl, and mixing until everything is combined! 

Shredded chicken tacos are perfect for any event, from a quick dinner to a party. Ideal for game days, potlucks, or family taco nights, they’re easy and adaptable. Serve them with sides like cilantro lime cauliflower rice or instant pot Mexican street corn for a complete, crowd-pleasing meal! 

Easy Shredded Chicken Tacos

• Tailor the spice blend to your liking with homemade taco seasoning, ensuring a flavor that’s just right for you and your family.
• The slow cooker does all the work, slowly infusing the chicken with Mexican flavors, yielding tender, fall-apart meat with minimal effort.
• It’s a budget-friendly option, utilizing simple ingredients that stretch far, making it ideal for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week.
• Chicken tacos are endlessly customizable with various toppings, allowing everyone to create their perfect bite according to their tastes.
• Leftovers are versatile and can be repurposed into salads, burritos, or quesadillas, ensuring no waste and delicious meals for days.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken Breast – Absorbs the flavors and shreds easily after slow cooking.
• Homemade Taco Seasoning – Infuses the chicken with a customized blend of spices, elevating the overall taste with a fresh, aromatic kick.
• Jar of Salsa – Adds moisture and a tangy, slightly spicy flavor to the mix, helping to tenderize and season the chicken as it cooks.
• Frozen Corn – Brings a subtle sweetness and crunch, offering a contrast in texture and a pop of color to the dish.
• Canned Black Beans – Contributes a hearty, earthy element making the tacos more filling.
• Tortillas (corn or flour) – Serve as the versatile vehicle for the flavorful chicken and toppings, with the option to choose between the soft, tender texture of flour or the rustic, hearty taste of corn.

How To Make Shredded Chicken Tacos In The Slow Cooker

Add ingredients to slow cooker: Start by adding the chicken breast to the bottom of the slow cooker. Then sprinkle with taco seasoning on top. Pour in the salsa, frozen corn, and drained black beans.

Cover and cook: Add the lid to the top of the crock pot and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours. 

Shred and serve: Remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and place them on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat. Add the chicken back into the crock pot and mix to combine with the juices. Serve while warm with your favorite toppings and tortillas. Enjoy! 

Recipe Tips

• Use a mild salsa for a kid-friendly version or a spicier one to add extra heat to your tacos.
• Add the frozen corn directly to the slow cooker without thawing as it will defrost in the slow cooker.
• Allow the shredded chicken to sit in the cooker on ‘warm’ setting for an extra 10-15 minutes after shredding to soak up more flavor.
• Prepare toppings ahead of time and keep them refrigerated so you can assemble your tacos quickly once the chicken is ready.

Chicken Taco Toppings

• Shredded lettuce
• Shredded cheese
• Fresh cilantro
• Diced avocado
• Sour cream
• Pico de gallo
• Pickled red onions
• Sliced jalapeños
• Chopped tomatoes
• Grilled pineapple
• Black olives
• Corn salsa
• Lime wedges
• Guacamole
• Feta cheese
• Radish slices
• Sautéed bell peppers
• Chopped red onion
• Chipotle sauce
• Queso fresco

Storing & Freezing

Storing: Place leftover shredded chicken in an airtight container and make sure it’s cooled down. It will keep well for up to five days. 

Freezing: Cool the shredded chicken completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe bag or container. Squeeze out excess air and freeze for up to three months. 

Reheating: Thaw frozen chicken in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in a saucepan over medium heat until thoroughly warmed, adding a splash of water or broth if it seems dry. 

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