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Home » easy » Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Published: Aug 3, 2020 · Modified: Aug 24, 2020 by Louisa Clements · This post may contain affiliate links

This post may contain affiliate links

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5 hours 10 minutes 17 Comments

Get an easy, no-fuss dinner on the table with this recipe for slow cooker chicken tacos made with chicken breasts. This recipe only takes 10 minutes to prep, making it the perfect crockpot dish. This recipe was originally published on March 7, 2013 and updated on August 3, 2020.

Three chicken tacos on a plate with all of the toppings; lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and sour cream.

For a couple of years I forgot how much I loved my slow cooker. It sat collecting dust in my 400-square foot apartment. (Where space was at a premium, so really, this was a pretty poor decision on my part).

When we moved in February into a home with a kitchen with more space (An island! Cavernous cupboards for all of my appliances! A full sized fridge!) I rediscovered my slow cooker.

Chicken tacos were at the top of my list; this recipe was originally published over seven years ago, and I remembered it to be a favourite (but generally speaking, I consider my entire slow cooker recipe archive to be a slam dunk).

Closeup of tacos on a plate with sour cream drizzled on top with lettuce, cheese and tomatoes.

Plus they only take 10 minutes to throw together. And we’ve been cooking dinner every single night for what feels like 800 days. So I welcome any and all opportunities for easy, weeknight dinners.

Crockpot tacos without salsa

I like to make my tacos without salsa. Instead I use crushed tomatoes (which I always have in my pantry), for a rich tomatoey flavour that I season with typical taco seasoning spices like chili powder, cumin, paprika and oregano.

Now you should definitely serve these tacos with a salsa; I’d recommend making a refreshing pico de gallo to go on top.

Over the years I’ve made these tacos every way possible. I’ve seared the chicken breasts in the pan first, sautéed the onions like you should. Like I do in my slow cooker black bean soup. Like I typically tell you to do.

Another shot of the chicken tacos on a plate with sliced limes.

But some rules are meant to be broken in the kitchen and honestly for this recipe it didn’t really make a noticeable difference to the final dish. So I scrapped it.

Time is of the essence for this recipe, and I wanted to make it a “dump in the slow cooker and go” kind of chicken taco.

How long should you cook the chicken tacos in the slow cooker?

I’ve tested a few different cooking times and I found that I had the best results cooking them in the crockpot for five hours on low heat–six hours made the chicken breasts a little too dry.

Once they are done cooking, you are fine to leave these on the “warm” setting of your slow cooker. They may overcook slightly (depending on how long you leave them for) but they will still be delicious.

Three chicken tacos on a plate with all of the toppings; lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and sour cream.

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos

Author: Louisa Clements
4.43 from 7 votes
Get an easy, no-fuss dinner on the table with this recipe for slow cooker chicken tacos made with chicken breasts. This recipe only takes 10 minutes to prep, making it the perfect crockpot dish
Pin Print
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 5 hours
Total: 5 hours 10 minutes
servings icon
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • ⅔ cup crushed tomatoes
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • ¼ tsp oregano

Instructions

  • In your slow cooker insert, stir crushed tomatoes with onion, garlic, olive oil, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper and oregano. Add chicken breast, cover with the tomato mixture.
  • Cook on low heat for 5 hours. When finished, remove chicken from slow cooker, and shred with two forks. Add chicken back to slow cooker.
  • Serve with your favourite taco toppings.
Did you try this recipe?Leave a comment + rating and let me know what you think!
Filed Under: chicken, Dinner Recipes, easy, gluten free, meat, slow cooker
Nutrition Facts
Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos
Amount Per Serving
Calories 156 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 48mg16%
Sodium 363mg16%
Potassium 456mg13%
Carbohydrates 6g2%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 17g34%
Vitamin A 1044IU21%
Vitamin C 5mg6%
Calcium 32mg3%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Nutrition information is an estimate and is provided for informational purposes only. If you have any specific dietary concerns, please consult with your healthcare practitioner.
Get dinner on the table quickly with this simple recipe for slow cooker shredded chicken tacos. | livinglou.com

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Comments

  1. Sarah

    March 13, 2013 at 3:46 am

    I haven't broken out slow cooker in months coz it's been so hot. I think it's time to dust it off coz these tacos look gooooood ;)
    Reply
  2. Jess

    June 14, 2013 at 10:44 am

    These turned out amazing. I didn't have taco stuff but they stand on their own just fine! I served with Naan and rice. :)
    Reply
    • Lou

      June 16, 2013 at 7:53 pm

      So glad you enjoyed them Jess - thanks for letting me know!
      Reply
  3. Liz

    August 03, 2013 at 3:06 pm

    I'm trying these out for the first time today!! It smells delicious already and it's only been cooking for 15 minutes...
    Reply
    • Lou

      August 10, 2013 at 1:13 pm

      I hope you enjoyed them Liz! One of my favourite recipes!
      Reply
  4. Liz

    September 24, 2013 at 2:37 pm

    Thanks Lou. Nice recipe
    Reply
    • Lou

      September 27, 2013 at 9:15 am

      Thanks, Liz! Let me know if you try it.
      Reply
  5. Meg

    December 30, 2013 at 10:50 pm

    I am going to make these tomorrow but my slow cooker settings are high 4 or 6 hours and low 6 or 8 hours. which would you suggest? Also, wouls doubling the recipe in the slow cooker work?
    Reply
    • Lou

      January 01, 2014 at 2:54 pm

      Hi Meg, sorry I just saw this now! I would try low for 6 hours and you can most definitely double this recipe if your slow cooker is large enough! Let me know how it goes.
      Reply
  6. Christina

    August 24, 2020 at 8:57 am

    This recipe is so tasty and easy to make too. Thank you Lou for all the recipes! ?
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Louisa Clements

      September 17, 2020 at 4:02 pm

      So glad you enjoyed this recipe! :) Thanks for letting me know.
      Reply
  7. KEVIN FOODIE

    December 10, 2021 at 7:58 pm

    I love tacos. Your slow cooker tacos look delicious. I am planning a trip to Mexico and can't wait to try an authentic Mexican taco where the soft shells are cooked from scratch.
    ★★★★★

    5 stars

    Reply
    • Louisa Clements

      December 28, 2021 at 1:26 pm

      I'm sure the tacos will be delicious, Kevin!
      Reply

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Hi, I'm Louisa Clements & welcome to Living Lou. I've been creating simple, fresh & flavorful recipes for the modern kitchen for 12 years.
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