This easy Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos recipe is quick to make and convenient to use in not just tacos, but burritos, enchiladas, tamales, taco salads and more.
We have many easy slow cooker meals to try, including Hawaiian Meatballs and Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala.
Why I love Crockpot Chicken Tacos:
- Quick and Convenient: you can throw together slow cooker tacos in just a few minutes and let the slow cooker do the work. Or if you’re short on time, could make them in the instant pot.
- Versatile – it’s great for more than just tacos! We use this mexican shredded chicken as a base for chicken chimichangas, taco salad, or any of your favorite burritos, tostadas, or enchiladas.
- Healthy – Packed with protein and cooked in light and flavorful sauce. Check out all my high protein recipes!
How to make Crockpot Chicken Tacos:
Layer Ingredients: Arrange chicken breasts in slow cooker. Mix remaining ingredients together: chicken broth, Italian dressing, lime juice and spices then pour over the chicken.
Cook on low for 3-4 hours. Shred chicken then cook for an additional 30 minutes to allow it to absorb some of the sauce and juices.
Serve crockpot shredded chicken tacos in corn or flour tortillas, with desired toppings shredded lettuce or cabbage, cheese, and pico de gallo.
Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:
To Make Ahead: The slow cooker Mexican shredded chicken can be made up to 2 days in advance. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator and heat before using.
To Freeze: Freeze shredded slow cooker chicken recipe in an airtight freezer safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
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Recipe
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts , or thighs
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth (or use salsa)
- 1/3 cup Italian salad dressing (or use salsa)
- 3 teaspoons fresh lime juice
- 3 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
- 3/4 teaspoon EACH garlic powder, paprika, cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt and freshly ground black pepper
Optional, for Serving:
- 8 corn tortillas , or 4 flour tortillas
- Desired toppings: shredded lettuce or cabbage, shredded cheese, Salsa or hot sauce, pico de gallo, guacamole, onion, cilantro, lime wedges
Instructions
- Add chicken to slow cooker.
- Whisk remaining ingredients in a small bowl and pour over chicken.
- Cover and cook on LOW for about 3-4 hours (or 4-5 hours for chicken thighs).
- Shred chicken. Cook for 30 more minutes.
- Serve in flour or corn tortillas, with desired toppings. Or, use shredded taco chicken for enchiladas, quesadillas, tostadas, burritos, taco salads etc.
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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*I originally shared this recipe July 2015. Updated April 2020 and March 2024..
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OMG, delicious! I used the crockpot. So easy, I will be making this often and with the Italian dressing or salsa – it could be made different each time! Thank You so much!
this was simple yet amazing! i love me some tacos so i put this up to have dinner after my 5 hour shift.. will be my go-to dump & go tacos!
Just made this tonight with precooked rotisserie chicken and done green and red peppers. So delicious!
These were absolutely delicious and so full of flavor. They were so quick and easy to put together. I made the instant pot version and it was so juicy. I’ll definitely double the recipe next time.
This was absolutely delicious and so quick and easy to put together. I made the instant pot version and it was flavorful and so juicy. I’ll definitely double the recipe next time.
I needed an easy, “set it and forget it” recipe for my family of 7 and slow cooker recipes are the best. I love tacos – and this recipe turned out really well! We added some refried beans and seared green peppers – SO GOOD! I recommend it!
For picky eaters this is great to add over top of chips and then convert into a soft taco rice bowl.
I bought your cook book. Thank you.
These were really good … They were served with the salsa, onion, lettuce, seasoned corn & Kraft Mexican shredded cheese. The corn was seasoned with some taco seasoning, cilantro and added to the top of the filled hard/soft taco shells. My kids aren’t big fans of avocado’s so we improvised by using the seasoned corn. Pretty tasty.
Love this recipe! Made this the other night and it is amazing. So easy! We used as street tacos but it will be my new go to for bowls, chicken for soup. So many ways to use this! Thank for ANOTHER amazing recipe!
I made this over the weekend in preparation for a busy week and it was so easy to make and turned out delicious! We enjoyed it during the week for lunches and dinners in all different ways. Our favorite was as a bowl with rice, beans, tomatoes, avocado, charred corn and avocado. Yum!
I love the idea of using bowls instead of taco shells for this recipe. With the rice, and the beans, I’ll have to try your idea. Sounds Deeelicious. Thanks for sharing.
These were great! My husband liked them and the kids gobbled them up. Prep all the toppings ahead of time and you’ve got the perfect busy-weeknight-tacos waiting in the slow cooker for you when you get back home.
Very moist and made me look like a champ to my hubby who swears he won’t eat chicken thighs. But he does NOW! So delish and easy. Thank you! And I love the cook ahead and freeze instructions.
I made this for the May cooking challenge – fast and easy, and plenty of flavor for a weeknight meal that comes together without any fuss. Thanks!
This recipe is a keeper. Simple to make and tastes great. Will definitely make this many more times.
Made this meal and loved it! Will definitely make this again!
Made this last night for dinner. Super easy to put together – a great dump and go recipe. I was a bit hesitant at first in using Italian dressing, but was pleasantly surprised how well everything tasted.
These were so good and super easy! Made a double batch to last for weekly lunches!
Oh my goodness! This recipe is first of all so very easy and most importantly delicious! Both my husband and I really loved this recipe. Thanks for another delicious challenge!
Love this recipe – it’s one I’ve added to our regular meal rotation and we eat it quite often. Simple and tasty!
Love this easy slow cooker Chicken Taco recipe! Just happened to have made it last night. I like to shred it a little early so all the flavors can seep into the chicken. Definitely a family favorite. 🌮
I have made this recipe countless times and it’s perfect. In fact, I have referred back to the recipe just for the slow cooker chicken portion for other recipes.
What a great recipe, easy to make. I read the comments as I too was scared to use the italian dressing but it was great. I did put in some chopped vegetables and it also made it great. I will be making this recipe again.
Personally, I love my instant pot and the chicken taco recipe is delicious. A great alternative to the beef tacos you are served at your local ‘Taco Tues’ restaurants in our area. The flavor and texture of the chicken takes your burritos/taco’s to a new level. We look forward to our new ‘Taco Tues’ meal at home now. Thank you for sharing ! 🙂
5 stars for flavor. Issue is that 1 lb of chicken is hardly enough to serve for a dinner. Barely enough for 2 people to enjoy unless you have extra sides on hand.
I love tacos
My husband loved these chicken tacos. Thank you!
I made this for a small group meeting, never made chix tacos before. This was delicious! Am making it again tomorrow. Everyone raved about it, and they’re all chicken taco pros!
I really enjoyed how simple the prep was for this meal. I might add a little bit more salt next time, but the chicken was still very flavourful.
What do you usually make this with…salsa or Italian dressing?
I made this in the crock pot with the chicken broth and zesty Italian dressing. I’m not gonna lie, I was a little hesitant, but woah. It’s amazing. Seriously. Try this, you will not regret it! My new chicken taco recipe!!
I have made this four times and just love it! We use 6 chicken thighs and like that that the meat is more moist than using chicken breasts. Cooking time on low temp. is reduced to 4 1/2 hours. I so appreciate that most of the recipes on this site use ingredients that one would normally stock.
I made this today and it was delicious! This will be my standard Chicken Taco recipe.
This recipe is wonderful! I was able to start the chicken early in the afternoon and after shredding chicken and returning to slow cooker (with a rinsed can of black beans to add fiber) I prepped the toppings for a taco bar. I’ll definitely make this again. The chicken was moist, fell apart easily as I shredded it and had plenty of flavor. Tomorrow we’ll have the rest of the chicken over salad. Thank you, Lauren, for sharing this recipe and your meal planning function is fantastic!!
This was a really good meal. I fixed it one day for lunch and everyone in the house that day loved it. I will be making it again soon!!!
This chicken is delicious!! And so easy! I did accidentally put BOTH the salsa and the Italian dressing into the crock pot but it didn’t seem to hurt anything,. Just LOVE your recipes. Honestly, every one I have tried is a success and so delicious. Love feeding my family fresh ingredients and you make it easy!
We made this with cheese and garlic Italian dressing (just what we had) and it was divine! I’ve made versions of this with salsa (store bought and homemade), but prefer the Italian dressing hands down! Pair this with Lauren’s heavenly cilantro lime rice, black beans, cheese, lettuce, guacamole, and homemadeJen salsa…I’ve died and gone to Mexican food heaven!!! Burrito bowl style, crunchy taco, flour tortilla, always a win! Thank you, Lauren! ❤
That sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing Jen <3
Hi, to double the recipe with 2 pounds of chicken would I just double all of the other ingredients as well? (Chicken broth, italian dressing, seasonings?) Thanks in advance!
Yes, I would double all of the ingredients 🙂
This is my go to chicken taco recipe! I’ve been making it this way for months and everybody LOVES it. I feel like the italian dressing is key because it just gives the chicken a tangy, wonderful flavor! Only thing I do differently is use half boneless skinless chicken thighs and half boneless skinless chicken breasts. Thanks for such a great recipe 🙂
This is so yummy. Use it for all my Mexican dishes. Salsa no Italian dressing. I also use my mixer to shred the chicken. Much easier.
Loved it. So tasty. I would add more lime juice, because I love that flavor.
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 😉
And day two perks: the recipe is very “brothy” as others have commented but to serve as tacos I just let the juice drip and served chicken in bowl for taco fixings. But today I ate the leftover chicken with the broth and added brown rice and avocado for a variation of chicken tortilla soup!
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 ?
In instant pot do you just use the salsa and no Italian dressing? Thanks
Right. I just use salsa 🙂
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!
Could you recommend a good Italian dressing? I don’t usually use a store brand due to the sugar and corn syrup.
Thanks!!
Mary
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/
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!
I just love it when a recipe is such a hit that it get’s made more than once! Thank you for sharing Michelle! 🙂
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.
Oh delicious, i love this sort of food, Great recipe.
Simon
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!
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
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!
I’ve been looking for slow cooker recipes lately, so this looks perfect. Pinned.
I love Mexican food, It looks so delicious! I have to make these tacos someday. Pinning!