• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Home About Contact

The Cooking Jar

Cooking made easy

  • Recipe Index
  • Course
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Casseroles
    • Dips and Sauces
    • Main Dishes
    • Quick and Easy
    • Sides and Salads
    • Soups and Stews
  • Ingredient
    • Beef
    • Chicken
    • Pasta
    • Seafood
  • Method
    • Air Fryer
    • Oven
    • Sheet Pan
    • Slow Cooker
    • Stovetop
Home About Contact
  • Appetizers
  • Breakfast
  • Casseroles
  • Dips
  • Main Dishes
  • Quick and Easy
  • Sides
  • Soups
Home » Method » Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos

Published: November 8, 2020   |   Updated: October 24, 2022   |   11 Comments

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more details.

4.2 from 5 reviews
Pin10K
Share
Email
10K Shares

These easy slow cooker shredded chicken tacos take a handful of ingredients and just 5 minutes of prep time but are packed full of flavor. Try this crock pot chicken taco recipe for Taco Tuesday to go over tacos, taco bowls, enchiladas, burritos, nachos, or over loaded fries.

Set and forget these slow cooker shredded chicken tacos then enjoy fork-tender, authentic tasting, flavorful chicken. Pair it with your favorite toppings!

Today we’re making some slow cooker shredded chicken tacos that is guaranteed to be a family favorite when you’re craving some easy Mexican or Tex-Mex food. This crock pot chicken taco recipe takes the humble breast and transforms it into juicy and delicious taco meat through the magical pairing of tomato paste, brown sugar, lime juice, cumin and smoked paprika. There’s so much flavor in these chicken tacos, you’d think they were straight out of your favorite taco truck.

Make them for Taco Tuesday, Cinco de Mayo, the Super Bowl, potlucks, parties, or cookouts. It makes a ton of shredded chicken to feed a crowd or you can freeze it for another day when you have a random taco craving. Top these chicken tacos with some avocado, tomatoes, red onions, jalapenos, cilantro, green onions, shredded lettuce, salsa, guacamole, or sour cream and dig in.

For more easy taco recipes, try these slow cooker shredded beef tacos, slow cooker Mexican shredded beef, Instant pot chipotle chicken tacos, or these cheesy baked chicken tacos. In the meantime, let’s make some chicken tacos to enjoy!

Set and forget these slow cooker shredded chicken tacos then enjoy fork-tender, authentic tasting, flavorful chicken. Pair it with your favorite toppings!

SLOW COOKER SHREDDED CHICKEN TACOS RECIPE TIPS

  • Chicken – I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe and pre-seasoned them with salt and pepper to taste before slow cooking.
  • Salt – I like using coarse sea salt to season with because it’s very forgiving. Once you’ve pre-seasoned the chicken, there is no need to add more salt to the sauce.
  • Searing – Sear the chicken breasts on both sides before putting them in the slow cooker. This step is optional but highly recommended since searing locks in the flavor and juices. However, if you are pressed for time or just feel a little lazy, feel free to skip this step. If you do decide to go the extra mile, do yourself a favor and invest in a splatter guard to save some time on the clean-up.
Set and forget these slow cooker shredded chicken tacos then enjoy fork-tender, authentic tasting, flavorful chicken. Pair it with your favorite toppings!
  • Lime juice – This adds a little zest to the chicken and also works to tenderize the meat.
  • Brown sugar – Brown sugar brings out more flavor by adding a hint of sweetness to the savory and zestiness of the sauce. There’s not too much that you’ll end up with overly sweet meat, but just enough to balance and round out the flavor perfectly.
  • Tomato paste – I like using the Cento brand of tomato paste in a tube because it keeps well. You can find these at most grocery stores near tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. A little goes a long way with tomato paste and since it’s an ingredient you don’t use all in one go, it makes more sense to get it in a squeezable tube rather than buying it in a tin and letting the rest go to waste. Squeeze and use as needed and don’t worry about wasting ingredients.
Set and forget these slow cooker shredded chicken tacos then enjoy fork-tender, authentic tasting, flavorful chicken. Pair it with your favorite toppings!
  • Cayenne – This adds a tiny bit of heat to the chicken. Skip this or leave it out if you don’t like spice at all.
  • Garlic and onion powder – I used powders for the recipe but if you feel like having fresh onions and garlic, feel free to use some diced ones instead.
  • Smoked paprika – Smoked paprika adds some smokiness and is a great addition to these tacos.
  • Tortillas – Both flour and corn tortillas work. For this recipe, I used flour tortillas and toasted them over an open flame to warm them up a little and add some texture. If you don’t have a gas stove, you can also toast them in a skillet with no oil until browned and crispy.

Taco Topping Ideas:

  • Sliced avocados
  • Diced red onions
  • Sliced jalapenos
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Salsa or pico de gallo
  • Guacamole
  • Cotija cheese
  • Sour cream

And that’s about it. Set and forget it then come back to claim your tacos. Enjoy and let me know how you liked them, what toppings you used or substitutions you made in the comments below!

MORE MEXICAN-INSPIRED RECIPES TO TRY

  • Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos
  • Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Beef
  • Instant Pot Chipotle Chicken Tacos
  • Cheesy Baked Chicken Tacos
  • Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
  • Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Did you make this recipe? Rate it!

♡ If you liked this recipe, giving it a star rating ★★★★★ in the comments below really helps! For more recipes, subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on Facebook, Instagram and  Pinterest.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
A top down shot of four slow cooker shredded chicken tacos with lime wedges and a dip.

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.2 from 5 reviews

  • Author: The Cooking Jar
  • Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings (24-26 tacos) 1x
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

These easy slow cooker shredded chicken tacos take a handful of ingredients and just 5 minutes of prep time but are packed full of flavor.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne (optional for heat)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

Instructions

  1. Season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. [Optional step] Over medium-high heat, sear chicken on both sides until browned, about 2 minutes per side.
  3. Arrange chicken breasts in a 6 qt. slow cooker.
  4. Combine all other ingredients and blend into a smooth paste. Pour over chicken breasts.
  5. Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or on LOW for 7-8 hours.
  6. Shred the chicken with two forks and toss to coat with the juices.
  7. Dish and serve hot with your favorite toppings.
  8. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Leave out cayenne if you don’t like things spicy.
  • Smoked paprika gives things a smoky taste and does not affect spice level.
  • Scroll up to RECIPE TIPS for more useful tips, suggestions and ingredient substitutions.
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 4 hours

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know how you liked it, what substitutions you made, or what you paired it with in the comments below. If you enjoyed it, help me out with a  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating!

Leave A Review

posted in: Chicken, Main Dishes, Slow Cooker

Previous
Pepperoni and Olive Penne Pasta
Next
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken

Reader Interactions

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Share your thoughts and rate the recipe!
    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    Comments & Reviews

  1. Lori says

    November 16, 2024

    Made this as written, and there are no “juices” – it’s almost burned on the bottom.

    Reply
  2. Tom Charlton says

    May 25, 2023

    We made this for dinner and loved it. I followed the recipe except for I only used 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, just new that 1 teaspoon would be too hot, and it was wonderful. Will definitely be making again. Thank you!!!

    Reply
    • The Cooking Jar says

      May 27, 2023

      You’re welcome, Tom! I’m glad you listened to your gut and catered that part to your tastes (no pun intended)! Enjoy the tacos the next time you make them – this recipe is a personal favorite of mine.

      Reply
  3. Johnna says

    January 6, 2023

    Made this almost exactly as written (skipped the brown sugar) and it was tasty, but didn’t really taste like taco chicken, it was more like BBQ. Super yummy, just not quite taco-ey enough for us 🙂

    Reply
    • The Cooking Jar says

      January 9, 2023

      Haha, thanks for sharing! Some ideas to make it more taco-ey (love the word by the way) would be to add some chili powder, chipotle chilis, ancho chili powder, or some cilantro.

      Reply
  4. Jordan says

    January 27, 2022

    So delicious!!!!

    Reply
    • The Cooking Jar says

      February 4, 2022

      Thank you, Jordan! <3

      Reply
  5. Julia French says

    November 3, 2021

    I made this yesterday for my family. I loved how my house smelled all day. My husband and son (and me too) absolutely loved it! I got a text from my 17 year old son, he said those tacos were insane. Pretty high rating for a teen boy! Will totally be making again.

    Reply
    • The Cooking Jar says

      November 4, 2021

      Woohoo! This is one of my favorites too so I’m happy you tried it out. I love that compliment! Thanks for letting me know they were a hit, Julia.

      Reply
  6. Susan says

    November 11, 2020

    I made this chicken last night for dinner. Oh my, great flavor and my family loved the tacos!! I used 3 pounds of chicken and increased the liquid measurements by half so that I would have enough chicken to make enchiladas this weekend. So glad I did as this was so delicious. Thanks for a great recipe!

    Reply
    • The Cooking Jar says

      November 12, 2020

      Thanks for being the first to try this out! I’m so glad you came back and let me know how it worked for you. Also thrilled you enjoyed it like I did. I was honestly SO surprised at the flavor.

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Grilled shrimp on plate.
Farah - Author of The Cooking Jar.

Here at The Cooking Jar you'll find recipes that focus on practical everyday food using everyday ingredients. Each recipe is tried and true from my kitchen to yours. Happy cooking!

More About Me
The Cooking Jar eBook - Readers Favorite Recipes.
The Cooking Jar eBook - Readers Favorite Recipes.

FREE eCookbook!

Subscribe to the newsletter + get a free copy of our most popular recipes!

Thank you!

Check your email to confirm and activate your subscription.

Kitchen Essentials - The Basics.

Warm up with these winter favorites!

  • A close up photo of slow cooker chicken and dumplings in a crockpot.
    Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
  • Sour cream beef noodle casserole in a white casserole dish.
    Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole
  • A generous ladle of white chicken chili with shredded chicken, beans, corn and chopped cilantro.
    White Chicken Chili
  • Baked Parmesan crusted chicken on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
    Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken
  • Spinach and artichoke ravioli bake in a white casserole dish.
    Spinach and Artichoke Ravioli Bake
  • Creamy sausage pasta in a stainless steel skillet.
    Creamy Sausage Pasta
  • Featured On
  • Buzzfeed Logo.
  • the kitchn Logo.
  • delish Logo.
  • The Huffington Post Logo.
  • CountryLiving Logo.
The Cooking Jar eBook - Readers Favorite Recipes.
The Cooking Jar eBook - Readers Favorite Recipes.

FREE eCookbook!

Subscribe to the newsletter + get a free copy of our most popular recipes!

Thank you!

Check your email to confirm and activate your subscription.

The Cooking Jar Logo

Recipes

  • Appetizers
  • Beef
  • Breakfast
  • Chicken
  • Casseroles
  • Dips and Sauces
  • Main Dishes
  • Pasta
  • Seafood
  • Sides and Salads
  • Slow Cooker
  • Soups and Stews
©2025, The Cooking Jar. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy Nutrition Disclaimer
Back To Top
×
The Cooking Jar eBook - Readers Favorite Recipes.
The Cooking Jar eBook - Readers Favorite Recipes.

FREE eCookbook!

Subscribe to the newsletter + get a free copy of our most popular recipes!

Thank you!

Check your email to confirm and activate your subscription.

A top down shot of four slow cooker shredded chicken tacos with lime wedges and a dip.
Set and forget this slow cooker shredded chicken tacos then enjoy fork-tender, authentic tasting, flavorful chicken. Pair it with your favorite toppings!
10K Shares
Pin10K
Share
Email