Description
This Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos recipe is a simple and flavorful way to enjoy tender, shredded chicken with minimal effort. Combining a blend of spices with chicken breasts or thighs, slow-cooked to perfection, and finished with lime juice and salsa, it’s a perfect dish for Taco Tuesday or any casual meal. Ready in just over three hours, this dish requires only a few ingredients and provides a delicious, hearty filling for tacos or wraps.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Spices
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon mild chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Chicken and Mix-ins
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 cups salsa of choice (jarred chunky salsa recommended, but any type works)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Instructions
- Prepare Spice Rub: In a small bowl, combine granulated garlic, ground cumin, mild chili powder, and kosher salt, mixing thoroughly to create an even spice blend.
- Season Chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs into a 6-quart slow cooker. Using clean hands, rub the prepared spice mix evenly over all sides of the chicken pieces to ensure full flavor coverage.
- Slow Cook Chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours, or alternatively on low for 5 to 6 hours. Cooking is complete when the chicken is thoroughly cooked and shreds easily with a fork.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker onto a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces or dice it finely according to preference.
- Drain Liquid: Carefully drain all but 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker. Switch the slow cooker setting to warm to maintain heat.
- Combine and Warm: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, add the fresh lime juice and salsa, and stir gently to combine all ingredients. Allow the mixture to warm through for approximately 3 to 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve: Serve the flavorful shredded chicken with your favorite taco toppings such as shredded cheese, lettuce, sour cream, avocado, or fresh cilantro in tortillas or taco shells.
Notes
- This recipe uses only six simple ingredients, making it easy to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
- You can omit salsa if preferred; the seasoned chicken itself is flavorful and moist.
- If you don’t have a slow cooker, this recipe can be adapted to a stovetop method with careful attention to cooking times and moisture.
- The chicken can be made ahead of time and reheated gently before serving.
- Pair with traditional taco sides such as rice, beans, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco (of 8 servings)
- Calories: 201 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 632 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0.02 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 97 mg
