As a huge taco enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for new taco recipes. When I heard about crock pot chicken tacos, I had to give it a try, and I’m happy to report I wasn’t disappointed.
I’ve been making crock pot chicken tacos for over five years. I’ve experimented with different spices and veggies to find the combo that creates the best flavor.
Here’s exactly how I make crock pot tacos so you can elevate your taco nights with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours and 5 minutes
- Number of Servings: 5 cups taco chicken
Ingredients
- 4 lbs chicken breast
- 12 oz red salsa
- Taco seasoning
Taco Seasoning Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Put the chicken and salsa in the slow cooker, and sprinkle taco seasoning on top.
- Cook on high setting for four hours.
- Remove chicken, place on a baking sheet or a large plate, and shred with two forks.
- Serve shredded chicken taco meat with desired taco toppings.
Recipe Notes
Here are some tips and tricks for the best crock pot tacos:
- Instead of using forks, shred the chicken tacos with a stand mixer. It’s an easier and faster method.
- Add water or chicken broth if you don’t have red salsa.
- Experiment with different spices. For example, cayenne pepper adds heat and ground coriander creates an authentic chicken taco flavor.
- Add more or less salt to the taco seasoning, depending on your dietary needs.
- Try different toppings. For example, chopped vegetables, fresh cilantro, avocado, tomatoes, olives, salsa, lime juice, cheese, and sour cream work great on chicken tacos.
- Serve crock pot chicken tacos in tortillas, over greens, or lettuce wraps if you want less carbs.
- Try chicken thighs if you don’t have skinless chicken breasts.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 140
- Total Carbs: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 2g
- Fiber: 0
- Net Carbs: 0
Alternative Options: Making Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
If you have unannounced guests or are short on time, you can make shredded chicken tacos in an instant pot. It’s a much faster option compared to a slow cooker.
“Shred the chicken right in the instant pot. Use two forks or a handheld mixer to make quick work of shredding meat.”
- A Mind Full Mom, YouTube Channel
Here’s how to make delicious chicken taco meat in an instant pot:
- Add all the ingredients to the instant pot. Lock the lid and move the vent valve to “sealing.”
- Cook on a high-pressure setting and use the +/- buttons to adjust the cooking time to 14 to 16 minutes, depending on how thick the chicken breasts are.
- Once the cooking time is up, let the pressure release naturally. This takes about 15 minutes. Flip the valve to “release” to let out residual steam.
- Make shredded chicken with two forks. You can do this right in the instant pot. In case your chicken taco meat is too watery, choose the “saute” option and cook shredded chicken until the liquid reduces. It takes around five minutes.
- Serve shredded chicken tacos in tortillas with desired toppings.
Read More: Taco Bake Casserole
How To Freeze Crockpot Chicken Taco Meat
You can freeze crockpot chicken taco meat by following these steps:
- Let the shredded chicken tacos cool completely.
- Place the shredded chicken breasts in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag.
- Label with name and date.
Pro tip: Freeze individual portions of shredded chicken, so you can use the exact amount of chicken taco meat you need without having to thaw all meat.
You can also store crock pot chicken tacos in an airtight container in the fridge for three days.
How to Reheat Frozen Shredded Chicken
You can reheat frozen shredded chicken in three ways:
- On the stove - Place the frozen shredded chicken in a large Dutch oven or saute pan. Heat on medium heat. Make sure to break it apart with a spoon until it’s hot.
- In a slow cooker - If you’re reheating in a slow cooker, make sure to use frozen meat. Place the meat in a crockpot, and reheat on high for one to three hours.
- In an instant pot - Put frozen shredded chicken in an instant pot. Set the pot to the “saute” setting and break apart the meat as it thaws. It takes about five minutes. Secure the lid and move the valve to the sealing position. Choose the “pressure cook” option and set it for five minutes. Once the five minutes are up, check if the meat is heated through. If it’s not, add more time.
The above ways are great for reheating frozen chicken tacos quickly. If you have more time, you can place frozen chicken in the fridge and thaw overnight.
Then reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals until it’s warmed through.
Note: Make sure to store and freeze chicken separately from the tortillas and assemble chicken tacos after reheating the meat.
Also Read: How to Reheat Chicken Wings
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
Here’s what to serve with slow-cooker chicken tacos:
- Taco fixings - You can choose between various traditional toppings, such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced onions, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, guacamole, sour cream, and your favorite shredded cheese.
- Tortillas - Serve a selection of warm tortillas, including soft flour tortillas and corn tortillas.
- Mexican rice - A classic side dish, Mexican rice adds heartiness to chicken tacos and pairs great with the taco flavors.
- Refried beans - Are creamy and a great add-on to crockpot chicken taco meat. They can be served as a side or even spread onto the tortillas.
- Cabbage slaw - It is refreshing. Serve it with a zesty dressing for a crunchy, tangy contrast to the savory crockpot shredded chicken tacos.
- Corn on the Cob - Make it grilled or boiled and brushed with butter, and sprinkled with chili powder or lime juice.
- Chips and salsa - Offer tortilla chips with a selection of salsas or dips like salsa verde, pico de gallo, or mango salsa.
Essentially, you can roll the shredded chicken meat in a tortilla and call it a day. But the crockpot shredded chicken tacos will taste better with toppings. Mix and match these side dishes on taco night based on your preferences. Make sure to ask your guests for preferences.
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FAQs
Is it OK to Put Raw Chicken in a Crock Pot?
Yes, it’s OK to put raw chicken in a crock pot. It’s safe, and you’ll get juicy, tender chicken.
Will Taco Meat Dry Out in a Crock Pot?
No, taco meat won’t dry out in a crock pot. It’ll stay warm for hours on the low and warm setting without drying out. Make sure to check the water level and add more water if it starts to dry out.
Why Is My Chicken Rubbery in the Crock Pot?
Your chicken is rubbery in the crock pot because you’ve cooked it too long. The chicken loses moisture, and the protein fibers turn elastic, so you have chewy and rubbery meat.
Savoring the Slow-Cooked Sensation
Crock pot chicken taco meat is incredibly easy to make. You cook chicken breast in a crock pot with taco seasonings and serve it in a taco salad or with preferred toppings.
This is a nutritious and healthy dish that requires minimal work from you but still needs quality chicken.
We’ve tried and tested countless meat providers to find the best ones. Here’s our selection of the 11 best organic meat delivery services, each selling organic meat, which means the highest quality meat products. The poultry is raised free-range and responsibly sourced to prevent stressing the animals.
Check them out and choose the best provider for your delicious chicken tacos.
