These slow cooker chicken tacos are super hands off and easy but so tender and full of flavor! Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or for a crowd, they’re topped with a quick avocado-cilantro sauce. Healthy with paleo, Whole30, low carb options.
Simple boneless skinless chicken breasts grow up and become tender, shredded Mexican chicken, stuffed into tortillas or lettuce cups, topped with an easy avocado-cilantro sauce. You’re officially the queen of Taco Night!
Who knew that chicken breasts and salsa would do this if you left them alone for most of the day? I had no idea.
This is seriously life-altering information, isn’t it?
OK, but shredding chicken breasts is like not my favorite way to spend my time, either. I see you, and I understand you, lady. Luckily, I have a super simple and efficient hack for all of that, making these maybe, just maybe, the easiest chicken tacos in the world. In the world(!!)!
Why These Crockpot Chicken Tacos Are So Good
- The slow cooker Mexican shredded chicken uses only three ingredients and is made entirely in the Crockpot.
- My hack for shredding the chicken breasts makes these quite possibly the easiest chicken tacos in the world.
- The avocado-cilantro sauce levels these Crockpot chicken tacos up, with tons of flavor from the garlic, fresh jalapeño, creamy avocado, and cilantro.
- You can skip the avocado-cilantro sauce altogether and go with a multitude of other options, like the chipotle aioli from my Fish Taco Bowls.
- They’re super versatile: you can top them with cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole, cilantro, and onion, or anything else you might imagine!
How to Easily Shred Chicken Taco Meat
It’s something of a secret that you can shred chicken breasts with a hand mixer, but this recipe is even cooler:
To shred the chicken taco meat, simply beat the chicken breasts in the Crockpot after cooking. That’s it! Beat on low and press the beaters against the chicken to be really efficient, but that’s all it takes.
Learn more tips and tricks over at my recipe for 3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken.
That Avocado Cilantro Sauce, Though
This avocado-cilantro sauce is so dang good, and I really, really want you to make it. It’s a bit garlicky, rich and creamy from the avocado, brightened by the vinegar, and super flavorful thanks to the cilantro.
Best of all, it’s made entirely in the food processor or blender, so it’s really perfectly quick and easy.
You can skip it or use another sauce, like my avocado crema from my Chicken Tacos in Lettuce Wraps, or my chipotle aioli from my Fish Taco Bowls.
How to Make Crockpot Chicken Tacos
Start by combining the chicken breasts, taco seasoning, and salsa in the Crockpot. Stir and cover. Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 5 hours.
Shred the chicken: beat on low speed with a hand mixer or shred with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the Crockpot and cook uncovered on low for 30 minutes or on high for 60 minutes. Get more info about the chicken taco meat over at my recipe for 3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken.
Meanwhile, make the avocado-cilantro sauce. Combine all the ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend until totally smooth. Season with more salt to taste.
Warm your tortillas. By microwave: Wrap them in a couple of very lightly damp paper towels and microwave for about 20 seconds. By skillet: Heat a large or medium skillet over medium heat. Add the tortilla and warm through until a few small brown dots appear about 15-20 seconds. Flip and repeat. Repeat the process, warming on both sides, with the rest of the tortillas.
Use tongs to portion shredded chicken in warmed tortillas. Top with avocado-cilantro sauce and crumbled queso fresco or other toppings. Enjoy!
Toppings for the Crockpot Chicken Tacos
- Avocado-cilantro sauce, of course
- Diced red onions
- Diced tomatoes
- Fresh pico de gallo
- Guacamole
- Sliced avocado
- Shredded cheese
- Crumbled queso fresco
- Chipotle aioli, from my Fish Taco Bowls recipe
- Mango salsa, also from my Fish Taco Bowls recipe
- Thinly sliced radishes
- Diced white onion and chopped cilantro
Make Them Whole30, Paleo, or Low Carb
Instead of tortillas, use lettuce cups. I love Bibb lettuce cups, grown hydroponically, as the leaves are so soft! If paleo, you can use cassava flour tortillas or other options by Siete Foods, but you can’t eat those on Whole30. If low carb, you can also use low carb tortillas. Lots of options!
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- 3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken
- Avocado Salsa
- Healthy Mexican Chicken Meal Prep (Whole30, Paleo, Keto)
- Mexican Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes (Whole30, Paleo, Instant Pot)
Hey – you’ve made it this far, and now we’re best friends! If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook, too!
Crockpot Chicken Tacos with Avocado-Cilantro Sauce
Ingredients
Crockpot Chicken Taco Meat
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup salsa
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- salt if your taco seasoning doesn't contain it
Avocado-Cilantro Sauce
- 1 avocado peeled and seeded
- 1 medium jalapeno stemmed and quartered
- 1/2 cup cilantro leaves
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 cloves garlic peeled
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar
- salt to taste
Toppings
- 8 tortillas flour or corn
- queso fresco crumbled
- red onion diced
- fresh cilantro chopped
- avocado sliced or diced
- other toppings as desired
Instructions
- In a Crockpot, combine all ingredients and stir. Don't add water. Cover. Cook on low for 5 to 6 hours, or cook on high for 3-3 1/2 hours.
- Shred the chicken breasts with a hand mixer or with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the Crockpot if you shredded it by hand. See Note for more detail.
- Stir shredded chicken together with the sauce. Cook uncovered on high 30 minutes or on low 60 minutes.
- Make the avocado-cilantro sauce: combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and process until very smooth with additional salt to taste.
- Heat tortillas. By microwave: wrap all tortillas in a couple of very lightly damp paper towels and microwave about 20 seconds or until warm. By skillet: heat a medium or large skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium heat until warm. Working one at a time, add a tortilla and cook until light brown spots appear on the bottom side, about 15 seconds. Flip and repeat, cooking about 15 seconds. Repeat with remaining tortillas, covering in a clean kitchen towel to keep warm.
- Make tacos: use tongs to portion shredded chicken into warm tortillas. Drizzle avocado-cilantro sauce over. See Note for drizzle suggestions. Top with crumbled queso fresco or shredded cheese, chopped red onions, or other toppings, as desired.
Notes
Nutrition
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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Veralyn Amaya says
Can you do this recipe with chicken thighs instead?
Cheryl Malik says
Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
Denise says
Absolutely delicious! I was a little bit skeptical at first but it turned out to be great! Simple, delicious, and easy 🙂
Katie says
Hi! Can this be made in an instapot? If so, what would you suggest fir cook time? Thank you!
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
Hi! We think that if you combine the chicken ingredients and cook on high for about 10 minutes or so with a natural release of five minutes, then the chicken could be cooked in the Instant Pot! Make sure the temperature reaches at least 165°F.
After the chicken has cooked, shred the chicken and proceed with the next steps!
Lindsey says
Hi!
I had a question. Do you drain the liquid after the chicken is done cooking, or do you add it to the shredded chicken? Thanks!
Amelia Camurati says
I usually mix it together! If it’s TOO much liquid, let it go.
Jillian says
Hi! Can you use frozen chicken breasts or do they need to be thawed? Thanks!
Kristin says
Is the sauce mentioned in step 3 the same sauce that you make in step 4? If so, do you set some aside to drizzle on top?
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
Yes, the same sauce. 🙂
Nicole says
Can you please provide a link to the taco seasoning recipe you make? And can I mention how amazing it is to have the option to increase the number of servings in your recipes????? It is so incredibly helpful as we have a huge family and I don’t have the time to crunch numbers like that. I will be using your blog on a regular basis for that reason!!!
Cheryl Malik says
Yes ma’am! Here’s the recipe I use: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/46653/taco-seasoning-i/
I’m so glad you like the customization for volume! That’s awesome. So glad you’re gonna come back to 40 Aprons! 😀
BW says
These came out awesome! I used salsa verde, and made it into a taco salad. Gonna make this recipe often! Thanks!
Cheryl Malik says
Wow.. thanks a lot. Now I’m SUPER hungry. 😀
Christine says
Can you place the chicken in frozen or does it need to be thawed first?
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
You can try it frozen! Just make sure to cook the chicken until it reaches 165° internally. 🙂
Megan Barrow says
What is the dressing drizzled over the top in the photos?
Cheryl Hurley says
That’s a chipotle sauce I had every intention of quickly photographing and publishing as a recipe! 🙂 The recipe is this:
about 1/2 cup mayonnaise
2-3 cloves garlic
1 chipotle pepper in adobo
juice of one lime
adobo sauce from can to taste (will add spiciness.. quick! so start with about 1/2 teaspoon)
half-and-half or milk for consistency
salt, to taste
Blend first five ingredients together then add half-and-half or milk to thin, until desired consistency. From there, add additional adobo sauce to taste. Add salt to taste. Voila!
Caroline says
I was going to ask about the chipotle sauce recipe! Can’t wait to make this!
milky1018 says
I love the soft shell better. You made me hungry with your post. http://www.thewilkinsongroup.com
Deanne says
Yum! Thanks for sharing this!
Please check out my blog and let me know what you think!
xo
Deanne
http://myfashavenue.blogspot.ca
thestylistquo says
Ooh, definitely adding your blog to my Google Reader! I love a girl who knows how to wear head-to-toe black! 🙂
Thank your reading! Follow me on Twitter and I’ll follow back
Cheryl