The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
These Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos are my go-to weeknight dinner. They’re juicy, flavorful, and SO easy to make.
This recipe makes six servings for $4.06. That works out to be $0.68 per serving.
These Shredded Chicken Tacos can be served with this easy Mexican Rice, Restaurant Style Refried Beans, and some Guacamole for a completely satisfying meal.
Crockpot Shredded Chicken
Taco nights made easy with this shredded chicken recipe. The crockpot does the work for you! Toss the ingredients into the slow cooker, and six hours later, you will have perfectly flavored shredded chicken for tacos.
- Enchiladas: My favorite recipe is for my New Mexico-Style Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas.
- Loaded nachos: I layer mine with shredded chicken from the recipe below, queso blanco dip, green chile pinto beans, honey-lime chipotle salsa, and guacamole.
- Chicken chili: My 30-minute white chicken chili recipe is my all-time favorite.
- Mexican soups: Use this shredded chicken in my 20-minute chicken taco soup, Mexican tortilla soup, and chicken enchilada soup.
- Burritos: Layer your burrito with the shredded chicken below, Mexican rice, refried beans, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and tomatillo salsa.
Can you put raw chicken straight into a slow cooker?
It is safe to place raw chicken directly into a slow cooker. The chicken will release liquid during the cooking process, which results in moist chicken pieces. And less work for you to defrost it first!
Do you have to flip chicken in a slow cooker?
No, you do not need to flip the chicken during the cooking process. In fact, you do not want to open the lid as it releases the steam and humidity that builds up inside the slow cooker and will alter the cooking time.
Is it better to slow cook on high or low?
While you can cook the chicken on high for 3 hours, I don’t suggest it. I find the chicken is a little rubbery when cooked quickly. When it’s cooked low and slow, the juices penetrate the meat more and make it SO succulent!
How to make Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos:
STEP ONE: First, mix the vinegar, juice, olive oil, sugar, salt, and pepper in a measuring cup.
STEP TWO: Next, place the chicken in the crockpot and pour the vinegar mixture over the chicken. Cover and cook on low for six hours.
STEP THREE: Finally, shred the chicken with forks and add seasonings. Cover and let rest for ten minutes before serving.
*NOTE: There’s a recipe video in the recipe card below!
Cook’s Tools:
- crockpot
- liquid measuring cup
- meat shredder
How long is the shredded chicken good for:
SERVE: You can keep the finished chicken at room temperature for up to two hours before you’ll need to refrigerate it.
STORE: Store the shredded chicken in an airtight container for 4-5 days in the refrigerator.
FREEZE: Place the cooled, shredded chicken in a freezer-safe Ziploc bag for up to 6 months. I like to cook up 5 pounds of chicken and then freeze it, so I always have tasty shredded chicken on hand.
How much will this Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos recipe cost to make:
RECIPE COST: $4.06
PER SERVING COST: $0.68
NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have.
- ⅛ cup white vinegar or red wine vinegar – $0.13
- ⅛ cup lime or orange juice – $0.12
- 1 ½ pound skinless, boneless chicken breast – $2.98
- ⅛ cup olive oil – $0.74
- ½ teaspoon salt – $0.01
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper – $0.03
- 1 teaspoon white sugar – $0.01
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin – $0.01
- ½ teaspoon chili powder – $0.02
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder – $0.01
More Slow Cooker Recipes:
- Sausage and Peppers
- Beef Stew
- Whole Chicken
- Little Smokies
- Easy Crockpot Chili
- Boston Baked Beans
- Spare Ribs
- Cheesy Potatoes
- Tuscan White Bean Soup
- Kielbasa Kapusta
- Ham Chowder
- Honey Baked Ham
Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds skinless boneless chicken breast frozen or thawed
- ⅛ cup white vinegar or red wine vinegar
- ⅛ cup lime juice or orange juice
- ⅛ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped (optional)
FOR SERVING:
- hard taco shells
- flour tortillas
- corn tortillas
- shredded Mexican cheese
- shredded lettuce
- salsa
- diced avocado
- lime wedges
Instructions
- In a measuring cup, whisk together vinegar, juice, olive oil, sugar, salt, and pepper. Place chicken in Crockpot and pour vinegar mixture over chicken. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours.
- Shred chicken with forks and then add cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and cilantro (if using). Cover slow cooker and let the meat rest for 10 minutes, and then serve with hard tacos shells, flour tortillas, or corn tortillas and the toppings of your choice.
Video
Notes
- This recipe can be doubled and even tripled if your slow cooker can handle it. If tripling the recipe, increase the cooking time by 30 minutes. If you're doubling the recipe, there's no need to increase the cooking time.
- The nutrition information calculated below is just for the shredded chicken. It does not include tacho shells and toppings.
maleahbliss says
This is on my menu for the week! It looks so yummy. Thank you so much for linking up last week! I hope you’ll stop by again today. I’ll be doing a featured post very soon…
LittleEme.blogspot.com
Jillian Wade says
@maleahbliss: I hope you like this recipe. It’s super easy and in my weekly dinner rotation often. I love how it’s versatile and can be used not just for tacos, but in soups, sandwiches and nachos, too!
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry says
I love the crockpot, food always tastes so good made in it. Excellent recipe thats family friendly too
Jagruti says
These tacos look great and I love the seasoning that you have used.
Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert says
Love the addition of citrus in this recipe! So much flavor and easy too – win/win easy dinner 🙂
Barbara Henry says
This is a great way to save time for several meals for the week!
Jillian says
You’re absolutely right! I love making a triple batch of this recipe to either use during the week or shred and freeze.
Tialyn says
This recipe was perfect! Taco Tuesdays here I come!
Krissy Allori says
This is by far the easiest and most flavorful way to make chicken tacos!
Katherine says
So many awesome flavors in these chicken tacos!
Pam says
I’m always looking for new recipes to do in the slow cooker! I love how versatile this one is. I’m still thinking of ways I can use the chicken.
Beth says
My family and I are going to love this recipe! I can’t wait to give this a try! So excited!
Cal Abriola says
Excellent. I really enjoy your recipes and your site. Thank you so much. Cal
Jillian says
Cal, your comment made my day. Thank you! 🙂