This easy, delicious recipe for Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Taco Meat is perfect for large gatherings or to freeze for other meals. A simple trick makes the shredding of the chicken breasts effortless too!
Is there anyone who doesn’t love Mexican food? It’s my favorite! Whenever I’m not sure what to make for dinner I whip something up in that direction. I love that it’s so relaxed and unpretentious but mostly those gorgeous, earthy, spicy flavors!
I’ve been hankering to share a new Mexican-inspired recipe with you and as I thought of it there is one I make all the time and haven’t thought to post: Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Taco Meat (for a crowd or for leftovers). It’s super simple (yay!) and makes a ton of savory, taco meat perfect for a party taco buffet OR to freeze and pull out when you need something quick to make for dinner (tostadas, on taco salad, etc.).
The recipe is basic. It uses skinless boneless chicken breasts, chicken stock, a can of spicy diced tomatoes and spices that create a homemade taco seasoning. A few notes on the ingredients. We are so fortunate that canned food producers have dialed in on all the uses for canned diced tomatoes and do the work for us. Have you noticed how many varieties there are now?!
Every manufacturer has multiple versions of fire roasted or regular diced tomatoes with salsa, green chilies, cilantro and lime, with habaneros, etc. For this recipe, I use diced tomatoes with some sort of spicy flavor that works with tacos (and the can juices).
As much as I love convenience and making recipes easy I have a problem with most taco seasoning packets; they are way too salty! Do you notice that? I feel that salt overwhelms the flavors I WANT in the mix to the point that is overpowers the taco meat.
Though it takes a few minutes longer using a blend of spices creates flavors that are on point. Well-rounded seasonings that create mouthwatering meat that’s spicy enough and not overly salty (if you LOVE salt, you can add more but this way it doesn’t highjack the natural flavors in the recipe).
The part that I love the most? If you’ve read my post about making Moist Homemade Shredded Chicken Breasts (which was my most popular post for 2016, with good reason; once you make it you’ll never buy shredded chicken meat again!!) I have a little trick I use to shred chicken: I put it in my standing mixer! In about 30 seconds the meat is wonderfully shredded with no pulling it apart with forks. You can watch a video of it here.
So, I’ll tip you off to something before you begin. When I first began to make this I was panicked that it was way too much liquid. Of course, the beauty of a slow cooker is that the liquid does NOT evaporate (as well as you can fix it and forget it). I was really worried the amount of liquid would create soup; not so.
Toward the end of the cooking, the chicken is shredded and returned to the slow cooker to cook a bit longer and drink in the savory spicy broth. It keeps the meat moist with some juices but certainly not more than is needed. On the other hand, if you are a person who loves lots of juice in their meat, add an extra ½-1 cup of broth when you begin!
Thinking of the Big Game this weekend, this pot of Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Taco Meat would be great to set up on a buffet with all the taco fixings. It will stay warm for people to nosh throughout the day. If you are making it for yourself or your family, it makes a ton! Leftovers can be packaged up in freezer-safe containers and saved for another meal or prepped for salads for the week. So many options!
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Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That sounds amazing. I can’t wait to try this. I can see this going in tacos, fajitas, and you know what, I’m thinking chili, too.
Toni Dash says
The more I think about it, the more ideas I have of how to use it!
Colleen Lanin says
This is perfect for making up big batches and freezing! Taco Tuesday and game days are going to be so much easier now.
Jeni Hawkins says
I’ve never done taco meat in my slow cooker- but will now! I never even considered it, but yours came out looking AMAZING! Thanks for the great recipe! Bookmarked!
Toni Dash says
Jenny it’s a complete life changer, really! The recipe makes about 10 cups of shredded chicken so it’s plenty for all sorts of uses, including freezing some for later (love having it at the ready when needed).
Jeanette says
This looks absolutely delicious, can you deliver it to me? Seriously though I think I need to make something like this for Super Bowl Sunday. People can eat it all day long! It’ll stay warm and it’s easy.
Diana Rambles says
Delicious! This is perfect for our Super Bowl party. Picking up the ingredients tomorrow. Pinned!
Liz Mays says
Ah, I’m going to have to try this out the next time we want to make tacos. Usually we prep our meat in the skillet but this could be super tasty.
Olivia Douglass says
Thank you! I need to try this, we love tacos
TColeman says
This looks really delicious! I have never thought of making my taco meat in the slow cooker but it looks amazing.
Pam says
We have tacos at least once a week at my house, so we can get into a rut. These tacos look delicious and I love that they’re chicken. I am always looking for more ways to use chicken.
Toni Dash says
And Pam you’ll find once you make this chicken, it’s just a jumping off point for so many things you can put it in. Also it’s healthy! It’s chicken, spices, tomatoes and chicken broth. Yipee!
Theresa says
Well, you had me at slow cooker lol. I agree about the salty taco packets and always end up making my own seasoning. I bet these tacos would be a hit at our Cinco de Mayo party this year.
Toni Dash says
Glad to know I’m not the only one Theresa. I’ve felt that way for awhile about the taco packets. I’ll forget about it for a few months and try again, hoping I was wrong! This is a much better way to go.
Kathy says
These look great. I love how this is different then your normal taco. I’d love to give this a try. I bet it tastes great.
Ann Bacciaglia says
I love recipes that save me time. I will have to make this for dinner this weekend. It looks so delicious and easy to make.
Claudia Krusch says
I am always looking for new slow cooker recipes to try. These Chicken tacos will be a big hit with my family.
gingermommyrants says
I will have to get the ingredients I need to make this for dinner next week. It looks so good I wish I could have some right now.
Jonna says
I’ve been on the hunt for more slow cooker recipes. This one looks fantastic. I’m so excited to try it out!
Toni Dash says
Yay! I think you’ll love it Jonna and you can use it so many different recipes, not just (completely delicious) tacos!
Janell Poulette says
These look so yummy! We love any kids of taco in this house, and i love anything i can make in the crock pot! Cant wait to try this for our taco Tuesday!
Kassandra says
We love taco night! I can’t wait to try this recipe out.
Aimee Smith says
Yummy! This will be perfect for our weekly taco night! Thanks for sharing!
Jocelyn @Hip Mama's Place says
What a great recipe and a great idea! Would be great for cookouts, SuperBowl parties, and so much more.
Dogvills says
The presentation is good, they look yummy. I want a spicy one.
Annemarie LeBlanc says
My daughter is a young wife and mother and she just discovered the convenience of having a slow cooker. She is trying out all sorts of recipes and I think this mexican chicken taco recipe will be something she can enjoy making. I’m sharing this recipe with her too.
Angela says
These tacos look so good. It is just the type of meal I like to make when I have a big crowd to feed.
Rosey says
What a great way to use the slow cooker. I think those were the greatest invention since the washing machine.
Tara says
I like to use chicken in my tacos. It creates a lighter flavor I find. I’ll have to try your trick for shredding chicken. That is ingenious!
Seattle Travel Blogger says
This looks like a yummy recipe. I am a big fan of tacos. And I do like to use the slow cooker, as does my father.
We are preparing more meat-type dishes lately and this looks like a perfect one to add into our mix.
Jeanine says
I have never thought of using chicken for tacos. This would for sure change it up and probably get my kids eating and finishing their dinner when we do venture over to taco night. This looks so good!
Amanda Love says
I love my slow cooker! There are just so many recipe to try with it. This one’s going to be loved by my sons! I’m definitely keeping the recipe.
Kita Bryant says
I’ve been looking for an excuse to eat more tacos. This recipe is right up my alley.
Beeb Ashcroft says
I just love chicken tacos! I currently have my own recipe, but reading some of the differences mine has with yours has me questioning myself on whether or not mine are the best. Can’t wait to try this.
Melissa says
Definitely a great recipe to add to a taco Tuesday spread! I love how you share step by step how readers can recreate your foodie creations with the most beautiful corresponding imagery!
Reesa Lewandowski says
This is my go to feed a crowd meal! It’s so cheap too when you need to feed a lot of people!
Crystal says
We haven’t had our friends over for Taco Tuesday in a long time, but it certainly is time. These tacos sound perfect for our next get together!
Jennifer says
These look amazingly delicious. My goodness. My kids would love these too I am willing to bed. They LOVE their tacos. I am going to have to try this for dinner, the fact that it’s a slowcooker recipe is a BONUS!
Toni Dash says
My kids feel the same way. We’ve added the meat to quesadillas (and microwaved them with shredded Mexican cheese blend; a 2 minute meal!), on salads and that’s just the start!
Kiwi says
Cinco de Mayo is any day of the week for me! This looks good and it would be so convenient for a gathering!
Brianne says
This looks so yummy! I love crock pot recipes and will definitely be trying this one!
Toni Dash says
We love it Brianne! I hope you will too.