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Home » Recipes » Poultry

Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken

Published: Dec 30, 2021 · Modified: Apr 29, 2023 by Marisa Franca

Jump to Recipe
Three shredded chicken tacos on a cutting board and all topped with a jalapeño circle.

The slow cooker takes the work out of making these pulled chicken tacos. The zesty shredded chicken cooked with spicy taco seasoned salsa along with the crunchy flavorful Ranch dressing mixed salad makes taco night fun and easy.

Stack those tortillas high with your favorite toppings, the sky is the limit.

Two soft corn tacos made with crockpot shredded chicken and topped with seasoned salad mix.
Making pulled chicken soft tacos is easy when we use our slow cooker.
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
  • 🛒 Ingredients
  • 🗒 Instructions
  • 🔪 Equipment
  • 🤔 FAQs
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 Tips
  • 📚 Variations
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 📗 Related Recipes
  • 🍽 Serve with
  • 📞 Chiacchierata (chat)
  • 📝 Recipe Card
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

  • quick and easy to make.
  • budget friendly with only 5 main ingredients.
  • you can use the filling in Mexican dishes including burritos, nachos, enchiladas and more!
  • spice up the pulled chicken to your liking.

Chicken taco night is always one of our favorites. It's so easy to throw everything together in the slow cooker and let it do it's magic on the chicken breasts. We especially enjoy having the pulled chicken tacos on game day. We prepare our toppings ahead of time and then assemble our taco first chance we get.

🛒 Ingredients

Image of the ingredients for Crockpot Shredded Chicken tacos.

Note: The full list of this slow cooker pulled chicken crockpot recipe ingredients with their amounts and options are listed in the recipe card below.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Chicken breasts -- we use boneless and skinless.
  • Jarred Salsa -- we like it spicy, use your favorite.
  • Taco Seasoning -- adds that great Tex-Mex flavor.
  • Corn tortillas
  • Bagged salad or cabbage mix
  • Ranch dressing
  • Cilantro
  • Fresh lime

🗒 Instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.

First four steps making the slow cooker shredded chicken soft tacos.
  1. Place chicken in a slow cooker, sprinkle on the taco seasoning and top with salsa. Cook on low heat for about 4-6 hours or until the chicken pulls apart easily.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl combine salad mix, ranch dressing, and reserved salsa.
  3. Once chicken is done, shred with 2 forks and stir to combine the pulled chicken with the salsa. Over the slow cooker pot or sink, drain the chicken using a strainer or colander.
  4. Heat the tortillas in a small skillet until slightly browned on both sides. Add desired amount of salad mix to a tortilla and top with chicken. Garnish with a sprinkle of cilantro and a squeeze of lime or use your favorite toppings.

🔪 Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant i the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You’ll need the following items to make the Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Taco recipe.

  • Slow Cooker medium size -- this cooks the meat easily ensuring the chicken is a snap to shred.
  • Mixing bowls -- for combining the salad ingredients.
  • Two forks -- use for shredding the cooked chicken.
  • Skillet -10 inch -- needed for heating the tortillas.
  • Strainer or Colander -- use to remove the liquid from the pulled chicken.
Side view of the pulled chicken tacos with the slow cooker in the background.
Pile your favorite toppings on the spicy shredded chicken tacos.

🤔 FAQs

These are the questions we are most frequently asked about making (recipe name)

Can you put raw chicken in a slow cooker?

Yes. Raw chicken cooked on a low setting, will usually cook in 4-6 hours if you haven't overfilled your slow cooker with ingredients. The more sauce in the pot and the fewer pieces of chicken, the shorter that time is needed to cook.

How long does chicken take to cook in slow cooker?

Depending on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces, it will take 6-8 hours on low or high for 3-4 hours.

Is it better to cook chicken on high or low in crockpot?

For the best results, always cook your boneless skinless chicken breasts on low. Cooking boneless chicken breast on HIGH could make them dry. I always recommend using the low setting for chicken breast.

Can you overcook chicken in a slow cooker?

Yes, it is possible! If the meat is cooked too long it could end up dry and not juicy and tender. It's wise to follow the recommended times in the recipe for the best results.

👩🏻‍🍳 Tips

  • Slow cookers vary in cook time so be sure to check the chicken breast to make sure they're done. Mine was done in about 4 hours.
  • For this recipe, you can use fresh or frozen boneless ,skinless chicken breasts.
  • Use your favorite salad or cole slaw mix. If a salad dressing is included in the package, use it at a later date. This recipe is for the Salsa-Ranch dressing combination.
  • Be sure to drain the chicken after shredding and combining with the salsa. This helps prevent the tortillas from getting soggy and ripping.
  • Slightly cooking the tortillas brings out their flavor. Don't skip this step.

📚 Variations

You may use pulled pork or bbq pork in place of the shredded chicken.

Make a seafood taco with shrimp, salmon, even fresh tuna.

If you don't like corn tortillas, you may use flour tortillas instead.

Your toppings are endless: sour cream, avocados, jalapeños, guacamole, diced peppers, diced tomatoes, etc.

🥫 Storage

Store leftover shredded chicken and salad mix in the refrigerator. Reheat the meat in the slow cooker of microwave.

If you use fresh chicken, you can store it in an airtight freezer container for up to 3 months.

📗 Related Recipes

If you love Tex-Mex flavors, you'll really enjoy our Beef enchiladas with an amazing cheese sauce.

And a Southwest inspired party can't begin unless you have plenty of salsa bandera or better known as Pico de Gallo. Make sure to have LOTS of tortilla chips.

And you'll find a delicious fusion of food cultures in our Chipotle Cashew Chicken with Brown Rice.

Next time your hungry family clamors for something delicious, cheesy, and quick, make them this Fajita Chicken Quesadilla recipe. They will be thrilled.

Nutty about tacos? Then this Blackened Mahi-Mahi Tacos with Cilantro Lime Sauce will make you swoon.

Instead of using packaged seasoning, make some Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix, it's so much better.

Two Shredded Chicken Tacos on a cutting board with lime and cilantro on the side.
Let your guests make their own shredded chicken taco by supplying the additional toppings.

🍽 Serve with

The shredded chicken tacos would be delicious served along with nachos and Creamy Guacamole Dip.Easy Creamy Guacamole Salsa Recipe. If you like a chunky salsa, then our Italian inspired avocado salsa is what you want.

Let family and friends make their own pulled chicken taco. Supply all the toppings you think the gang will want:

  • Black beans
  • Homemade Salsa
  • Pico de Gallo
  • Sour Cream
  • Tomatillo Salsa Verde
  • Mango Salsa
  • Pineapple Salsa
  • Guacamole
  • Chipotle Sauce
  • Shredded cheese
  • Roasted corn

The list is endless -- Sweet, spicy, savory, whatever floats their boat.

📞 Chiacchierata (chat)

Anytime I say that we're having Mexican for dinner I get a standing ovation. Well, I may be exaggerating a bit but it is super popular. If I really want to jazz up this recipe I'll even add some taco seasoning to it before flipping on the crockpot. Taco night is easy when the chicken is already made!

Four pulled chicken crockpot tacos with salad mix on top and a jalapeño circle.

What's new? Check out my All Our Way Store on Amazon. We'll be adding more items we love and use or wish we had to make cooking fun and easy.

📝 Recipe Card

What I love best about this crockpot pulled chicken recipe is that it’s just so easy to make! If you have chicken, and salsa, you can cook up the most tender and flavorful tortilla filling in no time at all. These crock pot chicken tacos are on my regular dinner menu rotation, and they’re always a hit.

If you're as crazy as we are for Mexican inspired dishes, you're going to go nuts over our White Chicken Enchiladas that's super easy to make.

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

📖 Recipe

Close up of Shredded chicken in a soft corn tortilla with a salad mix and a jalapeño circle garnish.

Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Tacos

These crockpot chicken tacos are loaded with spicy shredded chicken and Ranch dressed crunchy salad mix. The chicken only requires 3 ingredients and can be in the crock pot with just 5 minutes of prep time. Set out your favorite toppings and let everyone make their own personal taco.
5 from 12 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Lunch Dish, Main Course Chicken
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours hours
Total Time: 6 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 362kcal
Author: Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
As An Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

  • Slow cooker
  • Fine sieves - medium and small
  • Mixing bowls
  • Forks
  • Whisk
  • Skillet - small

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Chicken breasts skinless, boneless
  • 16 ounces Salsa remove 2 Tablespoons for salad
  • 2 Tablespoons Taco Seasonings
  • 8 Corn Tortillas

Salsa-Ranch Salad

  • 12 ounce Salad Mix may use coleslaw mix
  • 2 ounces Prepared ranch dressing
  • 2 Tablespoons Salsa your favorite jarred variety
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place chicken in slow cooker, sprinkle with the taco seasoning and top with 12 ounces salsa. Cook on low heat about 4-6 hours or until chicken pulls apart easily.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the Ranch dressing and the reserved salsa. In a medium size bowl mix together the salad and the salad dressing. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to use.
  • Once the chicken is done, shred with 2 forks and stir to combine with the salsa.
  • Heat tortillas in a small skillet until slightly browned on both sides. Over the slow cooker or sink, drain the chicken using a strainer or colander.
  • To serve, add the desired amount of salad mix to each tortilla and top with the pulled chicken.
  • Garnish with your favorite toppings. We like to sprinkle some fresh cilantro over the chicken and add a squeeze of lime.

Notes

NOTE:
  • Slow cookers vary so check cook time. Mine was done in about 4 hours using frozen chicken breasts. 
  • You may use fresh or frozen chicken breast.
  • Use your favorite salad or cabbage mix or chop your own. This recipe is for a salsa-Ranch dressing. Some bagged mixes come with dressing. This recipe does not use the dressing included in the bagged mix. You can use that dressing at a later date. 
  • It's important to drain the cooked chicken. This helps prevent the tortillas from ripping. 
  • Corn tortillas are best slightly cooked, be sure not to skip this step. You can also use flour tortillas if you wish.
  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator and reheat in the slow cooker or microwave.
  • If you use fresh chicken for this recipe, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. 

Nutrition

Calories: 362kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 1289mg | Potassium: 1017mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1707IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 2mg

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    128 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dee | Grammy's Grid

      February 05, 2022 at 6:11 am

      CONGRATS! Your post is FEATURED at A Themed Linkup 95 for All Things Love and Valentine’s Day from the previous linkup for Crock Pot and Instant Pot Recipes.

      Reply
    2. Dee | Grammy's Grid

      January 31, 2022 at 7:58 am

      Looks good. Thanks so much for linking up at A Themed Linkup 94 for Crock Pot and Instant Pot Recipes. Pinned!

      Reply
    3. Veronika Sykorova

      January 03, 2022 at 10:49 am

      5 stars
      You can never go wrong with tacos, I could honestly eat them every day! These were amazing! Incredibly easy to make and really flavorful.

      Reply
    4. Silvia

      January 03, 2022 at 3:28 am

      5 stars
      I love easy recipes like this one and who doesn't like tacos! Nothing is more convenient than adding all the ingredients to a pot and letting it do all the work. This was a very easy dinner.

      Reply
    5. Erin

      January 02, 2022 at 2:52 pm

      5 stars
      I love how quick and easy this was! My husband made it and didn't even have to ask me anything while doing it. 😁 Thanks for the great recipe!

      Reply
    6. Loreto and Nicoletta

      January 02, 2022 at 6:36 am

      5 stars
      Wow, the chicken looks do tasty and tender. This is a perfect family fun meal. We lo e tacos abd your pulled chicken recipe along with all the great easy accompaniments, makes it so easy!
      Thanks for sharing!
      Cheers!

      Reply
      • Marisa Franca

        January 02, 2022 at 10:46 am

        You're welcome! We love our taco night too - and the chicken can be used for so many other dishes.

        Reply
    7. Cathleen

      January 01, 2022 at 2:21 pm

      5 stars
      I had to get rid of my slow cooker when I moved, but this recipe is almost convincing me to get a new one!! Bookmarked for when I finally pull the trigger and buy a slow cooker again, haha

      Reply
    8. Jacqueline Debono

      January 01, 2022 at 1:55 pm

      5 stars
      I've bookmarked this chicken tacos recipe for later in the week. We love tacos and make them a couple of times a month. Cooking the chicken in the slow cooker is a great idea!

      Reply
    9. Sharon

      December 31, 2021 at 11:01 am

      5 stars
      This is the perfect 'set-it and forget it' chicken recipe. It's great for dinner on those busy weeknights.

      Reply
      • Marisa Franca

        January 02, 2022 at 2:15 pm

        That it is Sharon. We all need those recipes in our back pocket.

        Reply
    10. Megan Ellam

      December 30, 2021 at 5:18 pm

      5 stars
      This is my absolute favourite way to make pulled chicken. So easy and I can just chillax while it cooks. Thanks so much for sharing.

      Reply
      • Marisa Franca

        January 02, 2022 at 2:15 pm

        I agree completely with you, Megan. xoxo

        Reply
    11. Farrukh Aziz

      December 30, 2021 at 3:25 pm

      5 stars
      These tacos taste delicious, can't get over them! Our Mexican night would have been incomplete without these tacos.

      Reply
      • Marisa Franca

        January 02, 2022 at 2:16 pm

        Thank you Farrukh! We also love our taco nights. xoxo

        Reply
    12. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer

      December 30, 2021 at 1:19 pm

      5 stars
      Mmmm I love recipes like this! Super easy to make and packed with so much flavor! Such a great set it and forget it recipe. Thank you so much for sharing!

      Reply
      • Marisa Franca

        January 02, 2022 at 2:18 pm

        You're welcome, Lori!! This is definitely going to be the year for easy and budget friendly recipes. xoxo

        Reply
    5 from 12 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    I’m Marisa Franca, a home chef, food writer, and photographer who believes that you can make gourmet quality food at home with simple seasonal ingredients. I’m passionate about family, food, friends, everything Italian, and happy endings.

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