Crockpot Mexican Shredded Chicken
This is one of the easiest and most flavorful crockpot Mexican shredded chicken recipes. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, the slow cooker does most of the work for you, making it perfect for a stress-free dinner.
Recipe Overview
Time: 5 minutes of prep, then 3 hours on high or 6 hours on low in the slow cooker
Ingredients: Chicken, salsa, taco seasoning, lime juice, and cilantro
Ease: Super easy! There is very little preparation, and the slow cooker handles the cooking.
Uses: Perfect for tacos, enchiladas, burritos, bowls, salads, and more.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Chicken: About 1 ½ pounds of raw chicken is enough to make approximately 10 enchiladas or 12 tacos. Any leftovers can easily be added to a salad or burrito bowl the next day.
Salsa: Since this recipe uses only a handful of ingredients, the quality and flavor of the salsa can make a big difference. Choose a salsa that you enjoy and that complements Mexican-style dishes.
Taco Seasoning: Use your favorite taco seasoning. You can also adjust the amount depending on how bold you want the flavor to be.
Cilantro: This is optional, but fresh cilantro adds a bright, fresh flavor to the shredded chicken.
Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice adds a little acidity and helps brighten all the flavors.
Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below
How to make Mexican Shredded Chicken
Step 1. Mix: Add the salsa and taco seasoning to your slow cooker and stir them together. Place the chicken into the mixture and make sure it is coated with the salsa.
Step 2. Cook: Cover and cook the chicken on high for about 3 hours or on low for approximately 6 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Step 3. Shred: Remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, then stir in the cilantro and lime juice.
Step 4. Assemble: Use the flavorful shredded chicken to prepare tacos, enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas, or any other favorite Mexican-inspired meal.
Tips
Cooking the chicken on high for 3 hours works well when you need dinner ready sooner. However, if you have more time, cooking the chicken on low for 6 hours can result in especially tender and juicy chicken.
A slow cooker that automatically switches to the warm setting once cooking is finished can also make meal preparation much easier. It helps keep the chicken warm without requiring you to monitor the cooking time as closely.
What to Make with Mexican Shredded Chicken
- Chicken Tacos
- Burritos
- Chicken Enchiladas
- Chicken Quesadillas
- Taco Salad
- Meal Prep Burrito Bowls with Mexican shredded chicken, Mexican rice, black beans, corn, and guacamole
Recipe Questions
What’s the best way to shred chicken?
Because the chicken is cooked slowly until tender, shredding it is very easy. Simply pull the chicken apart using two forks. When it is fully cooked, the meat should separate easily.
Are corn tortillas or flour tortillas better?
Corn tortillas are more traditional and add a distinct flavor to tacos, enchiladas, and similar dishes. Flour tortillas are also a popular choice, especially in the United States, because they are easy to find and tend to be softer and less fragile.
What cheese is the best cheese to use?
A Mexican cheese blend works especially well for enchiladas and burritos. Oaxaca or mozzarella cheese is a great choice for quesadillas. For tacos, you can use Mexican cheese, cheddar, or cotija depending on your preference.
Is this spicy?
The spice level depends largely on the salsa and taco seasoning you choose. Using a mild to medium salsa along with regular taco seasoning will result in a relatively mild chicken. For more heat, choose a spicy salsa and hot taco seasoning.
