This Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos recipe makes delicious chicken that can be used in tacos, burritos, tostadas, enchiladas, and more. I’ve also included instructions for making these chicken tacos in the instant pot. This is a healthy and easy recipe that is perfect for busy families who love their crockpot or instant pot.
I wouldn’t dare to dream of a world without slow cookers. I love mine so much! It just makes life easier ya know? Prep dinner in the morning and it’s ready when you need it. Late afternoon is the craziest time of day in our house, and I’m sure most people can relate, so there’s nothing I love more than having dinner ready to go! Especially when I’ve got hungry kids waiting on me.
This slow cooker chicken tacos recipe is the best because you can use it in so many different meals. Pretty much any Mexican related recipe you love, you could add this chicken too (or substitute the meat called for in the recipe and use this chicken instead).
Use it in these chicken chimichangas, black bean and corn quesadillas, taco salad, or any of your favorite burritos, tostadas, or enchiladas.
How to make slow cooker chicken tacos:
Gather your ingredients including chicken breasts, chicken broth, Italian dressing, lime juice and spices.
Place your chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Mix the remaining ingredients together in a bowls and pour the mixture over the chicken breasts.
Cook on low for 4-5 hours. Shred the chicken and cook for an additional 30 minutes to allow it to absorb some of the sauce and juices.
Place your cooked chicken in a corn or flour tortilla and add your favorite toppings, like shredded lettuce, cheese, tomato and onion.
Can chicken tacos be healthy?
These slow cooker chicken tacos are a healthy recipe that your whole family will enjoy. Chicken is a lean meat that provides protein and I love to add lettuce or spinach along with tomatoes, avocado and cheese. You can serve them with a whole wheat tortilla for some added fiber.
How to make chicken tacos in the Instant Pot:
This recipe can be easily adapted to make shredded chicken for tacos, in the instant pot!
If using the instant pot I like to use 1 cup of salsa instead of chicken broth and Italian dressing because I think the flavor holds up better under pressure. BUT, either will work!
Season the chicken with the spices and place the breasts in the bottom of the instant pot. Cover with salsa (or broth and Italian dressing) and lime juice. Cook on Manual (High Pressure) for 8 minutes. Quick release the pressure and carefully remove the lid. Shred chicken, and serve in tortillas, with desired toppings.
Consider trying these slow cooker recipes:
- Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken
- Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches
- Slow Cooker Teriyaki Pork over Rice
- Slow Cooker Salsa Ranch Chicken Enchiladas
- Slow Cooker Smothered Sweet Pork Burritos
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This Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos recipe makes delicious chicken that can be used in tacos, burritos, tostadas, enchiladas, and more. Instructions for the Instant pot included!
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth * or salsa
- 1/3 cup Italian Salad dressing * or salsa
- 3 teaspoons fresh lime juice
- 3 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon cumin
- salt and freshly ground black pepper , to taste
Place chicken breasts in your slow cooker.
In a small bowl whisk together the remaining ingredients and pour them over the chicken in the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 1/2 hours or LOW for about 5 hours.
Shred the chicken. Cook for 30 more minutes.
- Serve chicken with tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, tostadas, burritos, taco salads etc.
I like to use 1 cup of salsa instead of chicken broth and Italian dressing for the instant pot because I think the flavor holds up better under pressure. But either way will work!
Season the chicken with spices and place in the bottom of the instant pot. Cover with lime juice and salsa (or broth and Italian dressing). Cook on Manual (High Pressure) for 8 minutes. Quick release the pressure and carefully remove the lid.
Shred chicken, and serve in tortillas, with desired toppings.
Have you tried this recipe?!
RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.
*I originally shared this recipe July 2015. Updated July 2018.
Ilona @ Ilona's Passion says
I love Mexican food, It looks so delicious! I have to make these tacos someday. Pinning!
Shann Eva says
I’ve been looking for slow cooker recipes lately, so this looks perfect. Pinned.
Leslie says
I love putting chicken in the slow cooker, it’s awesome. I also like chicken taco’s. I don’t eat a lot of red meat anyway. These look so good, thanks for sharing!
katie says
I LOVE Mexican food so you had me at tacos. I always forget to bring out my slow cooker this time of year, but now I am going to have to!
xo katie // a touch of teal
Audrey says
Oh! Looks good. I don’t eat meat, but I can always substitute the mean for Tofu or something else. The Barbecue sauce on tacos could be an interesting taste!
plasterers bristol says
Oh delicious, i love this sort of food, Great recipe.
Simon
Kathy says
I am not at all a fan of Mexican food, however, these tacos are tastee and the chicken is very tender, I will be making these again.
Michelle says
Don’t bother pinning it. COOK IT! It’s delicious!
We had a mexican day at work and i cooked up this recipe! Everyone loved it and wanted the recipe!
I cooked it again tonight for dinner – i could have eaten the whole lot!
So good!
Lauren Allen says
I just love it when a recipe is such a hit that it get’s made more than once! Thank you for sharing Michelle! 🙂
Mary Hatcher says
Could you recommend a good Italian dressing? I don’t usually use a store brand due to the sugar and corn syrup.
Thanks!!
Mary
Lauren Allen says
Hi Mary, this recipe has my homemade Italian dressing in it (it makes about 1.5 cups, so adapt accordingly.) Enjoy! https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/italian-pasta-salad/
Lisa says
These are a family favorite. We probably make these 4 times a month. The whole family loves them and I love how easy they are. The chicken is so tender and so flavorful. Can’t beat an easy, delicious crock pot meal. Thanks!
Jale says
In instant pot do you just use the salsa and no Italian dressing? Thanks
Lauren Allen says
Right. I just use salsa 🙂
Lisa Moulthrop says
I’m making this now, cooking in crock pot for five hours. I just shredded it to cook another 30 mins but seems to have a lot of liquid in it, do you drain before you use for tacos? Sire smells wonderful 😋
Liz says
I served this for a nine year old and twin seven year olds to rave reviews. The tweaks I made were to use boneless chicken thighs instead of breasts and instead of all the individual spices I just dropped in a packet of taco seasoning I had on hand I also used a local organic Italian dressing instead of the one pictured I cooked in the slow cooker on low for five hours. To serve, I had soft and crispy taco shells, black beans, brown rice, grated cheese, diced avocados and salsa and let the kids make their own creations, deciding what to include or leave out. Total knock out. Thanks for making this mom look good 😉