This slow cooker Mexican shredded chicken uses only three ingredients is super easy to throw together, and is perfect in all your Mexican dishes, from tacos to burritos to salads. Made easily in the Crockpot or Instant Pot, naturally Whole30 and paleo.
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I’ve been making this 3 ingredients slow cooker Mexican shredded chicken for almost a decade now, and there’s a reason why.
No, there’s like many reasons why.
Why This Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Is So Good
- It’s crazy easy to make. Stir together with a few ingredients, let it cook in the Crockpot or slow cooker, then shred the chicken, and you’re done!
- I have a great hack for making the chicken super easy to shred.
- The chicken is tender and moist and full of flavor.
- This slow cooker Mexican chicken is really versatile and is delicious in tacos, burritos, chimichangas, on salads, or on burrito bowls.
- This recipe is quite economical, too!
- Hello – three ingredients!
I shared an Instant Pot version of this slow cooker Mexican chicken in my cookbook, The Paleo Instant Pot, and I really think you should grab a copy! It’s all about smarter not harder: delicious and healthy food made easily and quickly in the Instant Pot. No brainer, eh?
How to Make Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken
Oh, oh, oh, it’s so easy. Are you ready?
Combine the chicken breasts, salsa, and taco seasoning in the slow cooker. Add a few good pinches of salt if your taco seasoning does not include it. Cook covered on High for 3 hours or Low for 5 hours.
Shred your chicken. I like to do this by simply using my hand mixer and beating (Really!) the chicken on low speed until shredded. Or you can use two forks to shred the chicken by hand.
Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it around in all the juices. Cook uncovered on High for 30 minutes or Low for 60 minutes. Serve!
Variations & Tips
- Make your own taco seasoning. It’s really easy, and you can control the additives and sodium content. Ideal if you’re on a Whole30 and cannot eat many of the anti-caking agents or sugars found in commercial taco seasoning blends.
- Shred the chicken oh so easily but using your hand mixer. Make sure you beat the chicken on low speed, otherwise you’ll end up with salsa splattered on your walls!
- Use a slow cooker liner for super easy cleanup.
Ways to Use This Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken
- In tacos with cheese (Queso fresco is great, and we like shredded cheese, too, for a gringo taco), avocado salsa, or chipotle aioli.
- As a burrito bowl. Simply replace the carnitas with chicken in this recipe.
- In a burrito with rice, beans, shredded lettuce, cheese, and salsa.
- In chilaquiles.
- Over nachos. Try this vegan queso if you’re dairy-free.
Instant Pot Directions
Prefer to use the Instant Pot or an electric pressure cooker? No stress. Follow these directions:
- Combine chicken breasts, taco seasoning, and salsa in Instant Pot. Do not add water. Secure lid with valve in Sealing position and cook on Manual High Pressure for 20 minutes. Quick Release.
- Remove chicken breasts from the pot. Shred with two forks then return to pot. Stir on Sauté mode a few minutes until sauce is absorbed.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- The Best Shredded Chicken
- Top 30 Shredded Chicken Recipes
- Chicken Tacos in Lettuce Wraps (Paleo, Whole30, Low Carb, Keto)
- Mexican Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Best Sheet Pan Fajitas with Steak
- Steak Taco Bowls (Street Taco Style)
- Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla-Less Soup
- Shredded Chicken Tacos
- Mexican Salad with Cilantro-Lime Dressing
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Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts a little less than 2 pounds
- 1 cup salsa
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- salt if desired
Instructions
- In a slow cooker, combine all ingredients and stir. Do not add water. Add a few pinches of salt if your taco seasoning does not contain it.
- Cover and cook on low for 5 hours, or on high for 3 hours.
- Shred the chicken, either with two forks or with a hand mixer. See Note for more detail.
- Return chicken to slow cooker, if you shredded it on a cutting board or plate. Stir and cook uncovered for 30 minutes on High or 60 minutes on Low.
- Serve in tacos, enchiladas, burritos, salads, or burrito bowls.
Storage Notes
- Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Video
Notes
- To easily shred chicken, beat with a hand mixer on low speed. Alternately, transfer cooked chicken breasts to a stand mixer and beat on low or medium speed with the paddle attachment.
- If you’re on a Whole30, make sure both your salsa and your taco seasoning are compliant.
- To make this recipe in the Instant Pot, combine all ingredients in the Instant Pot and stir. Do not add water. Seal and cook High Pressure for 20 minutes. Quick Release, shred the chicken breasts, then return chicken to Instant Pot. Cook on Sauté mode for a few minutes until liquid is absorbed.
Nutrition
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Cheryl Malik is the recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind the healthy, flavorful, family friendly recipes at 40 Aprons. She’s been a blogger for 10+ years and is known for her delicious recipes and detailed recipe instructions. Cheryl is a mom of three who lives in Memphis, TN.
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Belinda Clarkterstraat says
This was fantastic! Super easy, super tasty and kid friendly to boot. Thanks.
Cheryl Malik says
Thanks for the great review. Glad you loved it!
W says
Simple and delicious
Archana Govan says
What salsa should i use? I find some to be very salty.
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
We like the salsa from Sprouts! Fresh salsa is also good.
Sky says
Can you use frozen chicken at all, I have frozen in my freezer but don’t know if I could?
Amelia Camurati says
You COULD do this with frozen chicken breasts, but you’d have to cook it longer.
Renee says
Can you freeze my and if so how do you freeze it
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
Yes! Just transfer it to a freezer-safe storage bag or container and freeze! It should last up to six months.
DishesDeli says
Very tasty recipe it’s my fav, thanks for sharing
Sandy says
Awesome insta pot recipe! So quick, easy and delicious!
Susan says
What salsa (brand) do you use?
Becky says
So for instant pot you have two times- high pressure for 20 mins then quick release and further down it says high pressure for 12 mins then quick release? which one should i use? thanks!
Cheryl Malik says
20 minutes! So sorry about that typo. Thank you so much for pointing that out, Becky!
laurie keil says
GREAT RECIPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Megan says
Yum! But, I find that no matter how I slow-cook them, chicken breasts always come out a bit to dry in a recipe like this. Am I overcooking them? Can I stick with chicken thighs instead?
Cheryl Malik says
Are you using enough liquid? Hope it worked out, Megan!
Kim says
I find if you over cook the chicken in the crockpot it drys out it only takes 3 to 4 hours tops for chicken ..makes a huge difference.