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Crock Pot Chicken Tacos (3 Ingredients!)

~ These 3-Ingredient Crock Pot Chicken Tacos are so EASY and delicious, with just 5 minutes of prep. They’re an absolute lifesaver on busy nights! Enjoy them very simply, just rolled in tortillas … or create a festive taco bar featuring your family’s favorite toppings! ~

This Recipe:     Includes Make-Ahead Steps  

Overhead photo of one crock pot chicken taco, laying open to show the chicken topped with a variety of Mexican toppings.

We all have that one recipe.

The one that doesn’t even require a peek at the recipe card. The one that’s your standby and always saves the day when you have no idea what’s for dinner. You know what I mean.

At our house, these Crock Pot Chicken Tacos (aka Crock Pot Chicken Tacos OR Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos OR just “Oh Yum”!) really are “that one” recipe.

The one that never ever fails to be awesome.

The one that we are always excited to eat.

Wanna get really excited, too? Then check out our video tutorial on how ridiculously easy this recipe is! (While your tummy rumbles and begs you to make this ASAP, and you maybe drool just a little bit on your screen.)

Video Tutorial

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos … Always That Good!

True story: When my little ones dash into the house after school, if their first whiff of home is the incredible aromas of these chicken tacos … well, they do that silly fist-pump move where they make a fist and say “YEAH!!!” while pumping an arm up and down.

Uh-huh … that really happens … because it’s sooo goooood.

A stack of 3 crock pot chicken tacos on a long white serving plate, made very simply with just the slow cooker chicken taco meat wrapped in corn tortillas.

I was sure everyone on the earth had the recipe for my go-to. It was super popular on Pinterest 8 or 9 years ago, and I tell pretty much everybody I talk to about it. So, I just assumed everyone must make this constantly.

I guess not!

When I first mentioned this recipe to Shelley, she looked at me like I was loony. She’d never heard of it!

(When this happens, I joke that she lives under a rock. She knows so much about so many things, and has tried pretty much every food known to man, so if I come up with something new to her, I do my own little dance. Well, it’s more of me just clicking my heels. Alright fine. I usually just high-five. Myself.)

Ok anyhow …

If Shelley didn’t know anything about this, we realized there must surely be others out there whose lives have a similar gaping hole. But no more … today we’re gonna fix that!

So this recipe. This is the one that I make all. the. time.

The Very Best Part of All

Absolute best part?

It goes in the crock pot. Yes, friends. We’re talking a 5-minute prep, and then you just let your slow cooker work its magic.

You’ll just need another 5 minutes to finish the crock pot chicken tacos before you sit down to eat. Serious.

These crock pot chicken tacos served on whole wheat tortillas, instead of corn. Lined up on a serving platter and sprinkled with lettuce, cheese and tomato.

I went back and scoured my Pinterest boards, my pins, my notes – and I can’t figure out who to credit for this awesome recipe. In my research, I saw a reference that Weight Watchers had a recipe like this years ago, so we decided that must have been the genesis of the whole idea. But a Google search and a search of the Weight Watchers site didn’t yield a similar recipe we could link to for this. Ah, well … we’re gonna give them the credit, anyway!

Tested and Re-tested … And This Yummy Recipe Just Never Fails

In typical THK fashion, we both needed to test this recipe before we shared it with you all. You know we test … and test … and test again.

At first, Shelley was a little skeptical that something so incredibly simple could taste so good. But, she called me before her family was even done eating.

They were loving it. Loving it.

I’m so excited her family gave the thumbs-up (possibly with fist pumps, too) – because now I get to share this recipe with you!

Ok. Get your pens and paper, because you’ll want to take very good notes here.

Ready?

How to Make Your Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos (Easiest Ever Instructions!)

1. Put the chicken in your slow cooker.

2. Cover with taco seasoning.

3. Cover with a jar of salsa.

4. Walk away … and come on back when it’s dinnertime.

Closeup of two forks shredded the cooked taco chicken in the crock pot.

5. Shred your chicken and serve. (And be prepared for the fist pumps.)

Did you get all that? Should I run through it again?

Yep. It’s that simple!

How to Serve Your Tacos

The options here are pretty much endless … and entirely up to you!

• You can simply roll the chicken taco meat in a tortilla and call it a day. You don’t really need anything else.

• But, you can definitely get all fancy-schmancy, and add whatever additional toppings you like – maybe reduced fat cheese and sour cream, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes … there’s no wrong answer here. And, it’s wonderful that everyone at the table can make their own tacos, exactly how they like them. Happy kiddos, happy parents – happy everyone!

Overhead of 3 crock pot chicken tacos made up on a white piece of parchment, each showcasing a different combination of toppings.

• This is a terrific option for family parties and taco bars, too. Set out a slow cooker full of delicious chicken taco meat, and let your guests have a blast creating their own masterpieces (while you relax, stress-free, and enjoy the party)!

• Or ditch the tortillas, and serve your shredded chicken piled on a taco salad. Maybe some whole grain tortilla chips tucked around the side. Fabulous!

• And speaking of tortilla chips, you could even use your chicken to top baked nachos for a great game day appetizer – kind of like we do with our Buffalo Chicken Nachos.

Plus, as if this just couldn’t get any better, the taco chicken meat reheats really well, too. So, it’s perfect for meal prepping and make-ahead meals for busy weeks.

No doubt, I totally think this’ll become your “go-to” recipe.

Shelley’s made it multiple times since that first (fist-pumpin’) night. And I just know it’ll soon be your fave, too!

Closeup of one crock pot chicken taco, laid open flat with lots of toppings sprinkled over the chicken, like lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and sour cream.

Looking for More Crockpot Chicken Recipes That’ll Make Your Life EASY?

Oh! And be sure to read up on the question that’s so commonly asked about slow cooking:

~ by Gretchen

Love the Recipe? • Were My Tips Helpful?

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Please leave a 5-star rating by clicking on the stars in the recipe card below. I truly appreciate all your wonderful feedback!

A stack of 3 crock pot chicken tacos on a long white serving plate, made very simply with just the slow cooker chicken taco meat wrapped in corn tortillas.

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos (3 Ingredients!)

These Crock Pot Chicken Tacos are so ridiculously easy – just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep! Enjoy the shredded chicken very simply, just rolled in a tortilla … or create an entire taco bar of festive toppings!
•  Includes Make-Ahead Steps  •
4.54 from 669 votes
Pin Print Save Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Yield: 5 cups chicken

Ingredients
 
 

  • pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 (1.25-ounce) packet low-sodium taco seasoning (see note)
  • 1 (16-ounce) jar of your favorite salsa
  • Ideas for serving: tortillas or taco shells and your choice of optional toppings such as shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, shredded cheese, black beans, corn, chopped avocados or guacamole, reduced-fat sour cream, and hot sauce.

Instructions
 

  • Place chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the chicken and pour salsa on top.
  • Cook on low (for 6-8 hours) or high (for 4 hours).
  • Just before serving, use two forks to shred the chicken. Then stir everything together to evenly distribute the salsa throughout the chicken.
    Closeup of two forks shredded the cooked chicken in the crock pot.
  • Serve immediately with optional toppings as desired.
    Overhead of 3 crock pot chicken tacos made up on a white piece of parchment, each showcasing a different combination of toppings.

Video

Notes

Taco seasoning: Some brands come in 1-ounce packets and some come in 1.25-ounce packets. If all you can find is a 1-ounce packet, that will work ok, too, although the taco flavor may be slightly less assertive in the final chicken taco meat. Also, note that there are differences in the amounts of sodium (and other ingredients) in various brands of taco seasoning. We recommend choosing a reduced-sodium variety such as Ortega 40% less sodium.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/2 cup shredded chicken | Calories: 137 | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0g | Unsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Carbohydrates: 5g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Protein: 22g
Nutrition calculation does not include items listed as “Ideas for serving” (various tortillas and toppings) since those can vary widely.

* Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only, and may vary depending on your choice of ingredients or preparation. No guarantees are made regarding allergies or dietary needs. Always consult a physician or dietician for specific advice and questions.

Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: Mexican
Diet: Low Fat
Tried this recipe?We’d LOVE to hear … please leave a star-rating!
Older version of the photo showing 3 rolled tacos, stacked on a rectangular white plate, made simply of meat wrapped in corn tortillas.
Older version of the photo showing one open-face taco, loaded with pretty toppings, laying on white parchment paper.
Older version of the photo showing 3 tacos assembled on a serving plate, with whole wheat tortillas, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, and shredded cheese.
3-Ingredient Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos Recipe {www.TwoHealthyKitchens.com}
3-Ingredient Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos Recipe {www.TwoHealthyKitchens.com}
3-Ingredient Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos Recipe {www.TwoHealthyKitchens.com}
4.54 from 669 votes (667 ratings without comment)

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313 Comments

  1. Simple! Easy! And absolutely delicious! 12 out of 10! Even my super picky eater of a 6 year old ate two whole tacos! And that’s saying something for a girl that barely eats chicken. Easly a new standard in the house. This recipe fed my family of 4, for 2 meals, and I was still able to make my self a nacho for lunch.

    Tonight I decided to add one more pound of chicken to recipe without scaling up the other parts and it still turned out perfect. Tasted the same and just a little less drippy.

    1. Oh, Nate, this just made my morning! I’m so thrilled to hear that your family loved the tacos, including your picky little eater (I raised a picky little girl like that – so I feel ya lol!). Thank you so very much for taking the time to leave such a lovely review – I truly appreciate it! 😀 ~Shelley

  2. Can u use leftover rotisserie chicken in the crockpot instead of uncooked chicken breast and if so do u need to add a little chicken broth or liquid and how long to cook it in the crockpot

    1. I wouldn’t recommend using already cooked chicken (such as rotisserie chicken) in this recipe (as written), since it will likely become quite over-cooked in the time frame specified. Usually, slow cooker recipes that use pre-cooked chicken will have you just stir it in at the end to warm through. I’ve never tried that with these chicken tacos, but if you want to give it a shot, I’d be so interested how it works for you. Lastly, though, if you’re looking for recipes that use leftover rotisserie chicken, we actually have a whole collection of our “Best Rotisserie Chicken Recipes” (including a different chicken taco recipe). Hope that helps! 😀 ~Shelley

    1. Thanks for the great feedback, Dianna! I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe – it’s always a hit for me, every time I serve these tacos, and I’m delighted you loved the recipe, too! ~Shelley