Description
This Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos recipe offers a delicious and easy way to prepare shredded chicken with vibrant taco seasonings. Perfect for busy weeknights, it can be made in a slow cooker or Instant Pot, delivering tender, flavorful chicken ready to be served in tacos, taco bowls, salads, or lettuce wraps with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 lbs. chicken breast or thighs
- 1 cup salsa, any kind
- ½ cup water
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander (optional but recommended)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (use more for extra spice)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
To Serve
- Taco shells for tacos, rice or cauliflower rice for taco bowls, lettuce for taco salads, or lettuce leaves for lettuce wraps
- Any of your favorite taco toppings, such as diced tomatoes, onions, jalapeno, fresh cilantro, olives, avocado, hot sauce, fresh salsa, lime wedge, shredded cheese, and sour cream
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Place chicken, salsa, water, and all spices into the slow cooker or Instant Pot.
- Slow Cooker Method: Cook chicken on high for 4-5 hours. Remove the chicken and shred it using two forks, then return it to the slow cooker and cook on low for an additional 30 minutes to meld flavors.
- Instant Pot Method: Lock the lid and set the vent to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Poultry” or “High Pressure” setting and adjust cooking time to 14-16 minutes depending on chicken thickness. After cooking, allow natural pressure release for 10-15 minutes, then release residual steam manually.
- Shred and Reduce Liquid (Instant Pot): Carefully remove the lid and shred the chicken with two forks directly in the pot. If there is excess liquid, use the “Saute” setting to reduce it for 5-8 minutes until desired consistency.
- Serve: Serve shredded chicken as tacos, taco bowls, salads, or lettuce wraps. Add desired toppings like fresh salsa, avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, lime wedges, and more to customize.
Notes
- This recipe offers minimal prep and is perfect for filling weeknight dinners that everyone enjoys.
- You can prepare the shredded chicken using either a slow cooker or an Instant Pot depending on your time constraints.
- Adjust cayenne pepper according to your preferred spice level.
- Optional ground coriander adds an extra layer of flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Use fresh or store-bought salsa to personalize the flavor as desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 ounces shredded chicken
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 76 mg
