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Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken for Tacos & Bowls

Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken – an easy, flavorful shredded chicken made in the slow cooker. Perfect for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, nachos, and dips.

This chicken is what I use in my Easy Chicken Enchiladas recipe and pairs well with a quick enchilada sauce made in a blender.

Mexican Chicken on a plate.

Skip the pre-packaged seasoning packets and try this simple slow cooker method for intensely flavored Mexican-style chicken. The chicken simmers with spices, crushed tomatoes, salsa and green chiles until tender, then is shredded for easy use in a variety of meals. It’s a hands-off shortcut to a delicious weeknight dinner that fills the kitchen with wonderful aromas while it cooks.

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 can (4 oz) green chiles
  • 14 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 3/4 cup salsa
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 3 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp lime juice
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

How to make Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken

  • Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
  • Sprinkle with cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Add the green chiles, salsa, crushed tomatoes, brown sugar, lime juice and minced garlic. Stir gently to combine.
  • Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6–7 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shredded.
  • Remove the chicken and shred it with two forks, then return it to the sauce to soak up the flavors.
  • Serve in tacos, enchiladas, burritos, on nachos, or use in your favorite dips.
Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Recipe - super easy and flavorful shredded chicken cooked in slow cooker! Use it in tacos, burritos, enchiladas, nachos and dips!

Best tips

  • Adjust the heat to your family’s taste by choosing mild, medium, or hot salsa and by adding more chili powder if desired.
  • Lime juice and brown sugar balance the flavors with brightness and a touch of sweetness, but they can be omitted if you don’t have them on hand.
  • If you prefer, use boneless skinless thighs for a juicier result; cooking time remains the same.
  • After shredding, let the chicken sit in the sauce for a few minutes so it absorbs more flavor before serving.

More easy Mexican recipes

  • 5-Minute Blender Enchilada Sauce
  • Instant Pot Fluffy Rice
  • Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
  • Easy Chicken Enchiladas
  • Taco Seasoning
  • Mexican Street Corn Salad
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If you make this recipe, take a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM — tag @crunchycreamysweet so I can see it!

Mexican chicken on a plate.

Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken

Author: Anna Hinman
Super easy and flavorful shredded chicken cooked in a slow cooker. Use it in tacos, burritos, enchiladas, nachos and dips.
5 from 4 votes
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Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
4 hrs
Total Time
4 hrs 10 mins

Course Dinner
Cuisine Mexican

Servings 6 people
Calories 235 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 4 oz (1 can) green chiles
  • 14 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 3/4 cup salsa
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 3 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp lime juice
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

Instructions

  • Place chicken in the slow cooker.
  • Add spices, then top with green chiles, salsa, crushed tomatoes, brown sugar, lime juice and garlic. Stir to combine.
  • Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6–7 hours, until the chicken is very tender.
  • Shred the chicken with two forks and return it to the sauce to soak up the juices.
  • Use the shredded chicken in tacos, enchiladas, burritos, nachos or your favorite dip.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 235kcal
|
Carbohydrates: 15 g
|
Protein: 33 g
|
Fat: 4 g


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