Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

Featured in: Honey-Glazed Cozy Dinners

This dish features succulent chicken cooked slowly until tender and easy to shred. A flavorful blend of tomato salsa, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika infuses the meat with rich Mexican-inspired spices. Once cooked, the juicy shredded chicken is warmed in soft tortillas and topped with fresh ingredients like shredded lettuce, cheese, avocado, and lime wedges. It's a straightforward, satisfying meal that balances smoky, tangy, and fresh flavors, ideal for a casual family dinner or entertaining guests.

Updated on Sat, 13 Dec 2025 16:32:00 GMT
Mouthwatering slow cooker shredded chicken tacos, ready to be filled with vibrant toppings and served. Pin It
Mouthwatering slow cooker shredded chicken tacos, ready to be filled with vibrant toppings and served. | honeyravel.com

Tender, flavorful shredded chicken cooked in a slow cooker and served in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings—perfect for an easy and satisfying family meal.

This recipe has been a favorite in our household for quick weeknight dinners and family gatherings.

Ingredients

  • Chicken: 1.5 lbs (700 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • Sauce & Seasonings: 1 cup (240 ml) tomato salsa (mild or medium as preferred) 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Tacos: 12 small corn or flour tortillas warmed
  • Optional Toppings: 1 cup (100 g) shredded lettuce 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheese (cheddar Monterey Jack or Mexican blend) ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream 1 avocado sliced ½ cup (80 g) diced tomatoes ¼ cup (15 g) chopped fresh cilantro Lime wedges for serving

Instructions

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Step 1:
Place the chicken breasts or thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Step 2:
In a bowl mix together the salsa chili powder cumin smoked paprika garlic powder onion powder salt and pepper.
Step 3:
Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken ensuring all pieces are well-coated.
Step 4:
Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours until the chicken is tender and easily shredded.
Step 5:
Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the cooker stirring to combine with the sauce.
Step 6:
Warm the tortillas. Fill each with a generous portion of shredded chicken and your choice of toppings.
Step 7:
Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
Product image
Crisp vegetables, roast meats, bake snacks, and reheat leftovers quickly for easy, flavorful home cooking.
Check price on Amazon
Product image
Crisp vegetables, roast meats, bake snacks, and reheat leftovers quickly for easy, flavorful home cooking.
Check price on Amazon
Perfectly cooked, tender slow cooker shredded chicken tacos, brimming with flavorful Mexican spices. Pin It
Perfectly cooked, tender slow cooker shredded chicken tacos, brimming with flavorful Mexican spices. | honeyravel.com

This recipe brings my family together every time with its comforting flavors and easy preparation.

Required Tools

Slow cooker Mixing bowl Forks (for shredding) Knife and cutting board

Allergen Information

Contains Milk (if using cheese or sour cream) Wheat (if using flour tortillas) For gluten-free use corn tortillas and double-check labels on all packaged ingredients.

Nutritional Information

Per serving without toppings: Calories 210 Total Fat 5 g Carbohydrates 15 g Protein 25 g

Golden, steaming slow cooker shredded chicken tacos, perfect for a family dinner tonight. Pin It
Golden, steaming slow cooker shredded chicken tacos, perfect for a family dinner tonight. | honeyravel.com
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Prep meals effortlessly by chopping vegetables, slicing meats, and serving dinner with the right knife always ready.
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Enjoy these delicious tacos fresh and customize with your favorite toppings for the perfect meal every time.

Recipe FAQs

What cut of chicken works best for slow cooking?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs both work well; thighs tend to stay more moist during longer cooking.

Can I adjust the spice level in the sauce?

Yes, use mild or medium salsa as preferred, or add cayenne pepper for extra heat.

How do I shred the chicken after cooking?

Remove cooked chicken and use two forks to pull apart the meat into fine, tender shreds.

What toppings complement this dish best?

Common toppings include shredded lettuce, cheese, diced tomatoes, avocado slices, sour cream, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges.

Can I prepare this dish gluten-free?

Yes, use corn tortillas and verify that all other ingredients are gluten-free.

How long should the chicken cook in the slow cooker?

Cook on low for about 6 hours or on high for approximately 4 hours until tender and easy to shred.

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

Savory shredded chicken slow-cooked for tenderness, served with warm tortillas and fresh toppings.

Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
360 minutes
Overall Time
370 minutes
Author Tyler Morris


Level Easy

Cuisine Mexican-Inspired

Makes 6 Portions

Diet Preferences None specified

What You Need

Chicken

01 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

Sauce & Seasonings

01 1 cup tomato salsa (mild or medium)
02 1 tablespoon chili powder
03 1 teaspoon ground cumin
04 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 1 teaspoon onion powder
07 ½ teaspoon salt
08 ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Tacos

01 12 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed

Optional Toppings

01 1 cup shredded lettuce
02 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
03 ½ cup sour cream
04 1 avocado, sliced
05 ½ cup diced tomatoes
06 ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
07 Lime wedges for serving

Steps

Step 01

Prepare chicken in slow cooker: Place chicken breasts or thighs in the base of the slow cooker.

Step 02

Combine sauce and seasonings: In a bowl, mix salsa, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until well blended.

Step 03

Coat chicken with sauce: Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated.

Step 04

Cook chicken slowly: Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours until chicken is tender and can be shredded easily.

Step 05

Shred chicken: Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred using two forks, then return shredded chicken to the cooker and stir to combine with sauce.

Step 06

Warm tortillas and assemble: Warm tortillas, fill each with shredded chicken, and top with desired accompaniments.

Step 07

Serve with lime wedges: Serve tacos immediately accompanied by lime wedges.

What You'll Need

  • Slow cooker
  • Mixing bowl
  • Forks for shredding chicken
  • Knife and cutting board

Allergy Details

Always check each item for allergens, and reach out to your healthcare provider with any concerns.
  • Contains milk if cheese or sour cream are used
  • Contains wheat if flour tortillas are selected
  • Gluten-free option available using corn tortillas

Nutrition Info (per portion)

Nutrition info serves as a guide only—consult your doctor for specific needs.
  • Total Calories: 210
  • Fats: 5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Proteins: 25 g