Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Why This Recipe Works

From chicken breasts to chili powder, this slow cooker chicken taco recipe works any which way you like it. 

Chicken breasts — I always have chicken in my freezer (and I am known to stock up when it’s on sale too!) for days such as this one, where I need the slow cooker to come to my rescue. Easy to cook, easy to shred into tacos, so tasty, there’s nothing I don’t love about chicken. 

Spices — This is a no-brainer too. The combination of garlic powder and chili powder delivers a one-two punch to the tastebuds that’s just unparalleled. Plus, two spices makes for easy prep and putting away. 

Toppings — I’ll go into more on this later but it’s my favorite part of any taco, honestly. I always have avocado and cilantro, but you can add soooooo very much to tacos. Read on for more taco topping ideas. 

Leftovers — Double this baby up for all the shredded chicken taco leftovers. Shredded chicken will keep in the fridge for about 3 days and in the freezer for up to 5 months.

Ideas for Taco Toppings

Toppings? Toppings are my favorite! (Said in the voice of Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf.) 

Some of my favorite ways to crown a taco include, but are not limited to: 

• Salsa (for a simple recipe, try my Easy Blender Salsa)
• Avocado/guacamole (want more ideas to use guacamole? This Tex-Mex Turkey Burger recipe is next level!)
• Diced tomatoes
• Cilantro 
• A squeeze of lime juice
• Black olives
• Diced red onions
• Fruit salsa 
• Hot sauce 
• Shredded lettuce
• Shredded cabbage/slaw
• Chipotles in adobo 
• Sour cream/plain Greek yogurt
• Diced jalapenos
• Pickled red onions 
• Black beans
• Corn 
• Rice 

Ideas for Sides 

Tacos are fine but you know what makes tacos better (besides toppings?) all the sides!

• Try serving up a big side of Mexican rice and to go along with these shredded chicken tacos. 
• A black bean salad is an unexpected, but refreshing side dish that goes great with any kind of tacos. 
• Speaking of salads, this chicken avocado corn salad is great, just serve it without the chicken for a vegetarian side. 
• Not in the mood for a fancy salad? Try something simpler, like this easy greens salad. 
• If you are looking for a low-carb option, you can make cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, or spaghetti squash on the side. 

Expert Tips

• I think it’s easiest to shred the chicken with two forks right in the slow cooker, but you can also take the chicken out to shred one at a time on a plate (then put back into the sauce) or, I’ve heard it’s easy to shred chicken using a hand-held mixer but I’ve not done this myself so be careful if you decide to try it, it’ll definitely be hot and it could be messy too. 
• Make the tacos creamy by adding in a brick of cream cheese to the shredded chicken. Add the lid back on for a couple minutes to melt the cheese, then stir in. 
• A great way to store this chicken in the freezer is to put it in a ziploc baggie (once it’s cooled to room temperature), seal the bag, label it, and store flat. 
• If you are meal prepping with this slow cooker shredded chicken recipe, split the chicken up into portion sizes before putting in the fridge — so much easier to take and warm up when you already have it portioned out.