Crockpot Chipotle Chicken Tacos take the guesswork out of what’s for dinner. Everyone will love this simple yet delicious recipe.
I don’t use a crockpot nearly as much as I should. It’s a super 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. These Crockpot Chipotle Chicken Tacos start with a simple paste that is allowed to marry into the chicken for a delicious taco with a kick!
This super easy Chipotle Chicken Taco 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. I buy the little can and there are about a dozen of them in there. I use about 3 chilis in the taco meat. Then I make more paste with the remaining chilis. I just double the paste ingredients and put some of it in the refrigerator so ole cast iron stomach can smear more on his taco. I freeze the rest for the next time I want to make these tacos.
For garnishes, you can add your favorites. I routinely mash up an avocado and add diced tomato, onion, cilantro and a sprinkling of salt to it. I find that it helps keep all of your goodies in the taco shell. Sliced avocado tends to slide right out.

- 2 lbs chicken breasts skinless and boneless
- 1 cup chicken broth or water
- 6 Taco shells
- 2 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
- Shredded cabbage or lettuce avocado, cheese, green onion, tomatoes, lime and cilantro
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Add chicken to the crockpot
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Combine paste ingredients and process in a blender or food processor until a thick paste form.
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Mix the paste with the chicken.
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Pour chicken broth (or water) over the chicken
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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.
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Serve with taco garnishes of your choice.
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.
The only thing that these tacos are missing is a great Margarita to go with them!
Here are a few other Mexican inspired dishes that I think you will love!
The Ultimate Spicy Tacos Al Pastor Recipe
Really Good Green Mole Chicken Enchiladas – Zacatecas Style
Magic Margarita Pie
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These look fantastic, Julie!
Thank you James! Home up for sale yet?
I love using my Crockpot! And boy do we love tacos in our house. I see this in our very near future 🙂 Pinned!
Thank you Sarah! They freeze well to so you can make a bunch and freeze the rest for a busy day.
Spicy tacos are a hit in our house and your chipotle chicken ones sound great.
Thank you Karen! We enjoyed them and they freeze well too.
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!
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.
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?
I do Shari. I usually use olive oil so the rub adheres and it also helps keep the chicken moist
Such a fabulous recipe, it looks delicious, Julie 🙂
Thank you Freda!
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? 😉
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!
This will be another favorite with my sons. Yum!
I thought of you Johanne! I know they will like this one. You can make a boat load of this stuff and put it in the freezer for when those boys need fed.
You know us too well Julie!
Great flavours! I know my menfolk would love this…I take it I could replicate it in the oven?
Thank you Elaine! Yes you could. I think most recipes from a crock pot can be made in a covered pot in the oven.
Cool 🙂 x
Haha,”ole cast iron stomach”! So funny! As for your tacos… they look amazing! I’ll bring the Margarita! 🙂
Ha!! Thank you Ana
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?
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.
You had me at chipotle!
Wow, these look fabulous! I will absolutely try these!
Thank you Annie! I hope you’ll let me know what you think!
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/
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!
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!
Thank you! The oven would work too, but it heats the house up in the warmer weather so treat yourself! Have a wonderful day!
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.
Thank you Judi! I didn’t know about Rick Bayless Taco Tuesday emails. I’ll have to sign up. I need to use my crockpot more!
Josette (The Brookcook) told me about them – Rick posts a different taco recipe every Tues.
Thank you Judi!
That sounds like one truly delicious paste in with your chicken and your photos are drool worthy. Yum!
Thank you so much Caroline!
Sounds delish and perfect for Cinco de Mayo!! Thanks for bringing this to Fiesta Friday!
Mollie
Thank you so much! I appreciate you co-hosting! Have a wonderful FF and weekend!
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!
Thank you Lily! We eat fish tacos too.
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!
Thank you Scarlett! (I just love your name!)
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!
We have tacos at least once a week and most every ingredient is in our pantry. So, these will go in rotation very soon!
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!
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!
Thanks Debra! I’m a WHIMP!
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!
I hope you loved it! Thanks, michele!
This makes me seriously want tacos for dinner tonight! These tacos look incredible and sound like they’re full of so much flavor!
Thank you, Lisa!
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. 🙂
Thank you, Ashlyn! I don’t know how we got buy before the crockpot was invented!
I could easily eat tacos once a week if they looked like this! So delicious looking and packed with flavor.
Thank you Christie! I love easy make it and forget it recipes.
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!
Thank you! What did we ever do without that trusty crockpot?
Taco Tuesday never looked so good!! Seriously drooling over here!!
Thank you! I love easy recipes like this one!
This CROCKPOT CHIPOTLE CHICKEN TACOS is so perfect for taco tuesday!!!! YUM!
Thank you, Deanna!
I really enjoyed this recipe. I made a couple of small changes to make it spicier, but otherwise I thought it was fab !
Thank you so much for your wonderful comments and great rating!
Tacos were out of sight
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.