Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos (or Instant Pot)

These Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos – and the toppings that go with them – are always a good idea! Whether you call them crockpot chicken tacos or slow cooker chicken tacos, this recipes is one you’ll want to try! Better yet it can made in the Instant Pot, too. This recipe is Whole30-friendly when served with compatible toppings.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos are a weeknight staple win every time.

Whether it’s Taco Tuesday or any other day of the week, we think it’s safe to say that everyone wins when tacos are on the menu. And regardless of whether they’re the standard ground beef taco with minimal toppings (cheese, lettuce and tomato) or kicked up a notch with fish, roasted veggies or shredded chicken and a side of guacamole, there’s always room for everyone to make them their own. Our crockpot shredded chicken tacos can also be made in the instant pot. They’re made with only 8 ingredients (less if you use a premade taco seasoning mix), we’ve given this tender chicken a classic flavor – with our Real Foods Dietitians twist of course – that doesn’t interfere with your creative license when it comes to toppings.

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Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

• Chicken breast or thighs – we recommend 1 lb. of each. We love ButcherBox for its quality meat options.
• Salsa of choice – homemade or store-bought.
• Ground cumin*
• Chili powder*
• Garlic powder*
• Ground coriander* – optional but really adds delicious and authentic flavor in this recipe.
• Cayenne pepper* – for more heat add a pinch or two extra, for less heat omit.
• Salt and Pepper
• Salad greens or Butter leaf lettuce – for serving as a lettuce wrap or salad or serve them in a gluten-free tortilla (we like organic corn tortillas or grain-free tortilla)
• Toppings of choice – Fresh chopped veggies of choice, fresh cilantro, olives, avocado, hot sauce, fresh salsa, lime wedge etc. cheese and sour cream (not Whole30 compatible)

*May substitute  our homemade taco seasoning or a pre-made one of your choice.

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How to make Crockpot Chicken Tacos

Slow Cooker Directions

• Step 1: Place all of the chicken ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on high for 4-5 hours.
• Step 2: Remove chicken and shred with 2 forks. Return to slow cooker and cook on low for an additional 30 minutes.
• Step 3: Serve chicken taco meat in a lettuce wrap, gluten-free tortilla or on a bed of greens, top with cilantro and add desired toppings.

Instant Pot Directions

• Step 1: Place all chicken ingredients  into the bottom of the Instant Pot insert. Lock the lid in place and flip the vent valve to “Sealing” position.
• Step 2: Select “Poultry” or “High Pressure” setting then use the +/- buttons to adjust the cooking time up or down to 14-16 minutes (depending on how thick your chicken breasts are).
• Step 3: When cooking time is up, allow pressure to release naturally for 10-15 minutes before releasing any residual steam.
• Step 4: Carefully remove the lid once all steam has been released and shred the chicken with two forks right in the pot. If meat seems watery, select the “Sauté” setting and cook for 5-8 minutes or until liquid is reduced.
• Step 5: Serve chicken taco meat in a lettuce wrap, gluten-free tortilla or on a bed of greens, top with cilantro and add desired toppings.

Confused about poultry labeling? Check this post out to learn all about how to choose the best chicken in the grocery store. 

How to make shredded chicken tacos Whole30?

This recipes makes for a great Whole30 meal! Instead of wrapping the chicken in a tortilla, try a lettuce wrap or serving it bowl style over cauliflower rice or a bed of greens. Both are great options for turning this into a scrumptious Whole30 meal. You’ll want to hold the cheese and sour cream as well. Instead you can top your taco with guacamole, fresh salsa and cilantro.

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco toppings and serving ideas

Taco ’bout the possibilities! It’s all about the toppings. Yes, these crockpot shredded chicken tacos are delicious all on their own, but when you think of the fact that you could literally have a different version every night with toppings alone, it’s positively mind blowing, right?

We love setting up a taco bar with both family and guests. Not only do we feel as though our “adulting” game is on point, but it also looks impressive to onlookers. It has become a challenge to see just how many toppings we can offer! Don’t worry, with only five minutes of prep work before you set it and forget it in the slow cooker (or Instant Pot), you’ll have time to get them all in order.

Ideas for serving include – in a lettuce wraps, over a bed of greens, over cauliflower rice, over white rice, wrapped in a tortilla (soft or hard), over a baked sweet potato like we do with our Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken.

Ideas of toppings include – fresh chopped veggies of choice like peppers, onion, tomatoes, fresh cilantro, olives, avocado, hot sauce, fresh salsa, lime wedge cheese* and sour cream* (*not Whole30 compatible).

Looking for guidance with meal planning? Check out Real Plans, a highly customizable online meal planning service that includes over 300 of our very own recipes.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos are always a good idea!

Budget-friendly, freezer-friendly and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, we highly recommend doubling the recipe so you can be prepared for just about anything – consider it your emergency taco meal kit. Whether meetings run late, surprise visitors show up or heck, you just don’t feel like cooking, you’ll never regret this deliciously proactive move.

Other Mexican-inspired recipes you’ll love!

• Instant Pot Beef Barbacoa
• Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
• Healthy Taco Hotdish
• Tex-Mex Sweet Potato Hash

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Photo Credit: The photos in this blog post were taken by Jess of Plays Well with Butter. 

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

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