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Crockpot Chipotle Chicken Tacos Recipe

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Crockpot Chipotle Chicken Tacos recipe is loaded with a spicy juicy shredded chicken. This hands-off recipe takes the guesswork out of what’s for dinner!

This post has been upgraded from 4/25/16 to improve reader experience.

Three tacos filled with shredded chipotle chicken cabbage avocado & tomatoes

Crockpot Chipotle Chicken Tacos start with a simple paste that infuses into a delicious juicy shredded chicken taco recipe with a kick!

I don’t use a crockpot nearly as much as I should. It’s an easy way to plan dinner when you don’t have a lot of hands-on time. That isn’t the only reason, it’s a great way to infuse flavors.

The only tacos that I knew how to make were with ground beef seasoned with a spice packet called taco seasoning. It was a quick meal and we loved them. That is until we had a taste of what Chipotle Chicken Tacos tasted like.

We loved going out and trying other Mexican dishes. At the time I had no clue what was in them. So when I started making a lot of our own crockpot shredded chicken tacos at home, I wanted a flavorful spice combination. We wanted to infuse the meat with flavor, not boil it. This chipotle taco recipe was the way to go!

I had a few questions regarding chipotle taco seasoning options:

What is Chipotle? Chipotle is a jalapeno pepper that has been smoked. The Aztecs found that the jalapeno doesn’t dry as well as other peppers because of it’s thicker walls so they smoked them as a way to preserve them.
Is Chipotle spicier than a jalapeno? Generally yes because Chipotle is made using a red, fully ripened jalapeno.
What is adobo? Adobo can have separate meanings. We’re referring to the spicy sauce that’s intensely red due to paprika. This chipotle marinated in this sauce is called Chipotle in Adobe sauce and is what’s used here.

This Chipotle Chicken Taco recipe is spicy enough for my tastes. That isn’t the case with John. I swear he has a cast-iron stomach. The heat in these tacos comes from Chipotle Chilies in Adobo. The heat can be adjusted according to your tastes.

How do you make the chipotle paste for this Easy Chicken Taco Crock Pot recipe?

Combine Chipotle peppers with spices, onion, and cilantro and then blend into a paste using a blender or food processor.

The can of Chipotle in Adobe sauce has about a dozen chipotle peppers in it. This chipotle tacos recipe uses 3 chilis in the shredded chicken taco meat but I double the paste ingredients to use up the whole can of chipotle peppers. Then I’ll put some in the refrigerator so ole cast-iron stomach can smear more on his Shredded Chicken Tacos and freeze the rest for the next time I want to make these tacos.

Pro tips:

  • If you like using avocado in tacos or sandwiches, mash them into a spread. I find that it helps keep all of your goodies in the taco shell or sandwich. Sliced avocado tends to slide right out taking the remaining ingredients with it.
  • Cut the carbs and pice it on a taco salad!
  • Using slow cooker shredded chicken makes meal prep easy on a busy day. And, it will not heat up the kitchen making it perfect for a summer day.
  • Shredded chicken recipes can feed a crowd so are perfect for entertaining. Set up a taco bar!

Garnishes for Chipotle Chicken Tacos:

  • Diced Tomato
  • Green onion (mild compared to some other varieties)
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Shredded cheese
  • Sour cream
  • Shredded cabbage or lettuce

You may need:

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  • Mini Food Processor – I use this little powerhouse for chopping and blending smaller quantities so I don’t have to use my much bigger and heavier food processor.
  • Boxed Grater – I grate my own cabbage, lettuce, and cheese. The convenience packages of cheese have non-clumping ingredients and everything tastes so much fresher when you do it yourself. It doesn’t add that much time.
These spicy chipotle tacos are stuffed with shredded chicken, avocado, tomatoes and cabbage

If you like this recipe, please comment below and leave me a 5-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review! Here are a few more recipes I think you’ll love!

Three tacos filled with shredded chipotle chicken cabbage avocado & tomatoes
Print
4.94 from 15 votes

Crockpot Chipotle Chicken Tacos Recipe

Crockpot Chipotle Chicken Tacos recipe is loaded with spicy juicy shredded chicken.  This hands-off recipe takes the guesswork out of what's for dinner!
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 4 hrs
Total Time 4 hrs 15 mins
Servings 6
Author Julie Menghini

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs chicken breasts skinless and boneless
  • 1 cup chicken broth or water
  • 6 Taco shells

Chipotle Paste

  • 3 Chipotle Chilies in Adobo
  • 3 tbsp olive oil vegetable or canola is fine too
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp diced onion
  • 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro I use the stems for the paste and the leaves for garnish
  • 1 tbsp chile powder
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp Mexican oregano
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • Zest of one lime optional

Suggested Garnishes

  • Shredded cabbage or lettuce avocado, cheese, green onion, tomatoes, lime and cilantro

Instructions

  • Add chicken to the crockpot
  • Combine paste ingredients and process in a blender or food processor until thick paste forms.
  • Mix the paste with the chicken.
  • Pour chicken broth (or water) over the chicken
  • Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or up to 8 hours on low. Shred chicken with two forks. Allow the shredded chicken to sit in the liquid until the liquid is absorbed.
  • Serve with taco garnishes of your choice.

Notes

I actually mash the avocado and add diced tomatoes, green onion, cilantro and a bit of salt. It helps keep all of the goodies in the taco.

Nutrition

Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 916mg | Potassium: 661mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 845IU | Vitamin C: 2.5mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1.7mg
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
Tried this recipe? That’s awesome!Mention @hostessatheart or tag #hostessatheart!

The only thing that these super easy crock pot tacos need is a great Margarita to go with them!

We still love a good ground beef taco but no longer use that little packet of seasoning. Our Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe is so much better and I always have a big jar of it mixed up.

What is your favorite taco recipe? We do love a great taco so please share!

Comments

    • Julie Menghini says

      Thank you Al! This is one of my favorite recipes too! I appreciate you leaving me a note letting me know that you tried them.

      Reply

  3. Yum ! says

    I really enjoyed this recipe. I made a couple of small changes to make it spicier, but otherwise I thought it was fab !

    Reply

  6. Jennifer A Stewart says

    I am all about tacos even if it isn’t Tuesday! I think we should have tacos for every day of the week. A crock pot makes it even better!

    Reply

  7. Christie says

    I could easily eat tacos once a week if they looked like this! So delicious looking and packed with flavor.

    Reply

  8. Ashlyn says

    I always love a good crockpot chicken recipe, especially one with chipotle in it! I live for chipotle flavor! Definitely putting this on the menu for one of the nights my oldest has soccer. We do a lot of crockpot meals on those busy nights. 🙂

    Reply

  10. michele says

    Ive got this all set up for my husband to put in the crockpot this week while Im away! It was easy to put in a bag and have it ready for him to set up….. It sounds so good and I cant wait to have some leftovers when I get back!

    Reply

  11. Debra C. says

    Ha! I would be with John – lighting my food on fire and piling on the jalapeños! I’m loving these easy tacos – what a delicious meal. Slow cooker meals are always a hit here!

    Reply

  12. Rob Ainbinder says

    We have tacos at least once a week and most every ingredient is in our pantry. So, these will go in rotation very soon!

    Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Woo hoo thank you Rob! I hope you’ll let me know what you think. We loved them. Enjoy your evening and thanks again for stopping by!

      Reply

  13. Kloe's Kitchen says

    Haha! I think we live off of our crockpot so this recipe would fit in or me and my family really well. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  14. Scarlett says

    My mouth is watering looking at these! I am crazy about tacos. I’m going to pin this. Thanks again for sharing at FF #117!

    Reply

  15. Lily says

    My husband is a huge taco fan, but I’m tired of the traditional ground beef tacos, so I love the idea of crockpot shredded chicken. Pinned for later!

    Reply

  18. cookingwithauntjuju.com says

    I love tacos (I get Rick Bayless’ Taco Tuesday emails every Tues. if you’re interested) and I love to use my slow cookers all year long. Your recipe looks really good – I would have to do a taste test to see if I wanted more chiles.

    Reply

  19. Bam's Kitchen says

    Julie, these tacos rock and so simple that you made them in the crock pot. I need to get a crock pot just so that I can cook your recipe. Gorgeous photos pinning and sharing!

    Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Thank you! The oven would work too, but it heats the house up in the warmer weather so treat yourself! Have a wonderful day!

      Reply

  20. Ivette says

    That looks really good! I’ve nominated you for the Creative Blogger Award! 🙂 If you’d like to participate, thats the link https://joyofspanishcooking.com/2016/04/25/the-creative-blogger-award/

    Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Thank you so much Ivette! You are so sweet to nominate me. My fellow bloggers mean the world to me. Thank you so much for acknowledging me with this nomination. Hugs!

      Reply

  23. Loretta says

    Wonderfully spicy and savory tacos Julie. I find anything you put in the crockpot becomes a great meal for shredding, even pork. Love the chipotle flavors, and I like the idea of mashing up the avocado. The great thing about a crock pot too in the summer time, is it does not heat up the kitchen. I tend to leave out the curries in the summertime as it is so hot, but I’ve since cooked it twice in a slow cooker, and it has been amazing! So looking forward to cooking it every so often in my crockpot. Do you use a special type of tortilla for your tacos?

    Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Thank you Loretta! We cook outside a lot in the summer. I don’t like heating up the kitchen either. I’ve found taco shells at my grocery store that aren’t cooked called tortilla land. We really like them a lot.

      Reply

  24. Celebrating Sunshine says

    Haha,”ole cast iron stomach”! So funny! As for your tacos… they look amazing! I’ll bring the Margarita! 🙂

    Reply

  25. Elaine @ foodbod says

    Great flavours! I know my menfolk would love this…I take it I could replicate it in the oven?

    Reply

  27. [email protected] says

    Ok, so I have had a MAD craving for tacos for WEEKS now and this officially just sent that craving over the top Julie, so…thanks. I think lol

    I love that these were made in a crockpot, I don’t use mine nearly as much either. Guess it’s time to change that huh? 😉

    Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Thanks Jess! Ha! Our stomachs think alike. I love food like this when it gets a little nicer out. I need to use that crock pot more too!

      Reply

  29. Shari says

    These look absolutely wonderful, Julie! I love everything about them. Chipotle peppers are one of my favorite things, and I love all the spices you incorporated into the meat. Yum! Pinning to make soon!

    Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Thank you Shari! Did you ever get a chance to try the dry rub? I put it on boneless skinless chicken thighs last week and used them on salads for lunch.

      Reply

      • Shari says

        I didn’t yet, but still plan to. Last week just got crazy for me. By the way, do you coat the chicken in oil first?

        Reply

  31. Sarah says

    I love using my Crockpot! And boy do we love tacos in our house. I see this in our very near future 🙂 Pinned!

    Reply

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