Cozy Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken Tacos: Easy 3-Ingredient Dinner
Tender, shredded chicken slow-cooked in salsa with warm spices, served in tortillas with your favorite toppings. An easy, comforting dinner that comes together with just three main ingredients.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (low) or 3.5 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes (low) or 3 hours 40 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1.5 cups (360ml) salsa (tomato-based or tomatillo-based)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- Juice of 1 lime
- Small corn or flour tortillas (for serving)
- Optional toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream or Greek yogurt, crumbled queso fresco or shredded cheddar, fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, pickled jalapeños, hot sauce
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and place in the bottom of the slow cooker in a single layer.
- In a small bowl, mix chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt. Sprinkle evenly over the chicken and rub in gently.
- Pour the salsa over the chicken, spreading to cover most of the chicken. Do not stir.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and shreds easily.
- Transfer the chicken to a cutting board or large bowl and shred into bite-sized pieces using two forks.
- Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir into the cooking liquid. Let sit in the warm sauce for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Squeeze the lime juice over the chicken and stir. Adjust salt or spice to taste.
- Warm tortillas in a dry skillet, over a gas flame, or in the microwave.
- Assemble tacos by spooning the chicken into warm tortillas and adding desired toppings. Serve immediately.
Notes
For best results, use thick, chunky salsa. Avoid peeking too often during cooking. Shred chicken while warm for best texture. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (without t
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 38
Keywords: slow cooker salsa chicken, easy chicken tacos, 3-ingredient dinner, salsa chicken tacos, slow cooker tacos