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With just a handful of simple ingredients, your slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, leaving you with tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned chicken that pairs beautifully with tacos, burrito bowls, salads, or nachos.

Updated: January 15, 2025

If you’re looking for a meal that’s effortless, flavorful, and perfect for just about any occasion, this Crock Pot Chicken Taco Meat recipe is about to become your new go-to. Whether you’re planning a cozy family dinner, meal prepping for the week, or hosting a casual taco night, this dish delivers on every level.

Before we begin… A word about tacos…don’t over-complicate them! I love unique different tastes as much as the next foodie, but with this recipe, we are talking about a simple, tummy-filling dinner on a hectic, busy night! A huge bonus is this recipe is so budget friendly!

Here are the Ingredients You’ll Need

• 2 chicken breasts, fillet, boneless and skinless, frozen or thawed
• 1 package taco seasoning mix or two tablespoons of taco seasoning
• 2 tablespoons of dried minced onions or freshly diced onions
• ½ cup enchilada sauce
• ¼ cup chicken broth
• 2-3 minced cloves of garlic
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• Choice of toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, sliced olives, sour cream and salsa
• 8-12 taco shells or soft taco shells

How to Make Crock Pot Chicken

On the bottom of your slow cooker place chicken breasts. Add the onion and garlic.

Note: 3 chicken breasts will feed 5–6 adults. However, if you’re feeding teenage boys who can eat everything in the refrigerator and your back-up food storage supply…I’d do more. This is such a simple recipe. Just add more chicken, more seasoning, and more liquid. It’s easy-peasy!

Tip: The chicken breast can be frozen or thawed. You’ll just adjust your cooking time. Sprinkle your chicken breast with taco seasoning and some dried onion flakes.

Add the packet of taco seasoning, and cumin. I also added a ½ teaspoon of Blackstone tequila lime seasoning, but that is totally optional. If you have a seasoning or spice you enjoy in your Mexican food dishes, add it!

Pour in a 1/2 cup of red enchilada sauce and ¼ cup of chicken broth. Give everything a little stir to combine.

TIP: Because these are boneless skinless chicken breast, with not a lot of fat, we want some liquid in there, so they don’t dry out.

Slow Cooking Chicken Instructions

Please note I will give you cooking instructions for thawed and frozen chicken. In addition, for “high” and “low” slow cooker temps.

First, let’s go over the low temp instructions. Cover the slow cooker with the lid, and bake on low for 5–6 hours for thawed chicken, 8 hours for frozen chicken.

Now if you need to cook at a high temperature, maybe because you forgot to start it earlier in the day, not that that ever happens to me…cough, cough! I always like to caution you that when cooking on “high” in your crock pot, keep an eye on things! It can get very hot and burn the food if you do not keep an eye on it from time to time.

Cook on high for 3–4 hours for thawed chicken and 5–6 hours on high for frozen chicken.

HELPFUL TIP: If the chicken breasts have been cut in half, it helps to reduce the cooking time.

Finishing Tacos and Serving

Check your chicken with a fork to see if it is done. If your chicken is falling apart and easily shreds, it’s ready. Do not drain the juice from the chicken.

Shred the meat in the slow cooker, stir, and cover until ready to serve. The chicken will continue to absorb the flavors of the sauce.

Tip: I use a potato masher to shred my chicken right in the crock pot! A couple of “smashes and twists” and you have beautiful shredded chicken that the juices have been incorporated back into.

Chop, dice and shred your favorite taco toppings. We like shredded red leafy green lettuce. Chopped tomatoes, sliced black olives, and shredded cheese. We also add sour cream, and salsa.

Don’t forget to load up your tacos with your favorite toppings like fresh salsa, creamy avocado, or a squeeze of lime to make them truly your own.

I love frying my own taco shells. However, you can use store-bought shells, or soft taco shells. You can use this meat for nachos, burritos, and even quesadillas!

There you have it—an easy, delicious, and versatile recipe that will make your mealtime a breeze. This Crock Pot Chicken Taco Meat is proof that great flavor doesn’t have to mean spending hours in the kitchen.

Whether it’s your first time making it or your tenth, this recipe is sure to earn a permanent spot in your meal rotation. Enjoy Friends!

Favorite Slow Cooker & Instant Pot Recipes

• Instant Pot Pork Chili Verde 
• Slow Cooker Copy Cat Cafe Rio Chicken
• Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy
• Pepper Jack Steak Sandwiches
• Easy Slow Cooker Hawaiian Haystacks
• Slow Cooker Beef Brisket by Soulfully
• Crock Pot Fiesta Beef Recipe by Julia’s Simply Southern

Thanks for “popping” by and visiting! I really hope this recipe will help ease at least one dinner time for you this week! The printable recipe is below. Have fun with it and have a GREAT day!

Printable Recipe Card

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