Easy 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
Tender, flavorful shredded chicken tacos made with just five simple ingredients in your slow cooker. Perfect for busy weeknights, this set-it-and-forget-it recipe delivers bold flavor with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours (low) or 3 to 4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes to 8 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup (240 ml) salsa (mild, medium, or hot)
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) orange juice
- 2 tablespoons (16 grams) chili powder
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Place the chicken in a single layer at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Pour the salsa evenly over the chicken.
- Pour the orange juice around the edges of the slow cooker (avoid pouring directly on top of the chicken).
- Sprinkle the chili powder and minced garlic over the chicken. Do not stir.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender enough to shred with a fork.
- Using two forks, shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker.
- Let the shredded chicken rest in the cooking liquid for 10 to 15 minutes to absorb moisture.
- Serve immediately with warm tortillas and desired toppings.
Notes
Use chicken thighs for extra juiciness. Do not lift the lid during cooking. Let the shredded chicken rest in the cooking liquid for 10-15 minutes before serving to keep it moist. Toast tortillas in a dry skillet for better flavor and pliability. Season to taste at the end with salt and lime juice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (chicken o
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 38
Keywords: slow cooker chicken tacos, easy chicken tacos, 5-ingredient tacos, shredded chicken tacos, weeknight dinner, set-it-and-forget-it