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.
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.
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!
- 4-Ingredient Tomatillo Rice
- Chicken Taco Salad Bowl
- Frozen Magic Margarita Pie
- Cherry Chipotle Salad Recipe
Crockpot Chipotle Chicken Tacos Recipe
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
Nutrition
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!
Suzanne says
This was so delicious! I want to make these tacos every week.
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Suzanne! You’re so sweet to let me know that you liked them!
Al says
Tacos were out of sight
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.
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 !
Julie Menghini says
Thank you so much for your wonderful comments and great rating!
Deanna says
This CROCKPOT CHIPOTLE CHICKEN TACOS is so perfect for taco tuesday!!!! YUM!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Deanna!
Michaela Kenkel says
Taco Tuesday never looked so good!! Seriously drooling over here!!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you! I love easy recipes like this one!
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!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you! What did we ever do without that trusty crockpot?
Christie says
I could easily eat tacos once a week if they looked like this! So delicious looking and packed with flavor.
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Christie! I love easy make it and forget it recipes.
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. 🙂
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Ashlyn! I don’t know how we got buy before the crockpot was invented!
[email protected]'s Dinnertime Dish says
This makes me seriously want tacos for dinner tonight! These tacos look incredible and sound like they’re full of so much flavor!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Lisa!
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!
Julie Menghini says
I hope you loved it! Thanks, michele!
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!
Julie Menghini says
Thanks Debra! I’m a WHIMP!
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!
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!
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!
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!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Scarlett! (I just love your name!)
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!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Lily! We eat fish tacos too.
Frugal Hausfrau says
Sounds delish and perfect for Cinco de Mayo!! Thanks for bringing this to Fiesta Friday!
Mollie
Julie Menghini says
Thank you so much! I appreciate you co-hosting! Have a wonderful FF and weekend!
Caroline says
That sounds like one truly delicious paste in with your chicken and your photos are drool worthy. Yum!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you so much Caroline!
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.
Julie Menghini says
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!
cookingwithauntjuju.com says
Josette (The Brookcook) told me about them – Rick posts a different taco recipe every Tues.
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Judi!
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!
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!
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/
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!
Annie @ GiveMeMeatloaf says
Wow, these look fabulous! I will absolutely try these!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Annie! I hope you’ll let me know what you think!
Debbie Spivey says
You had me at chipotle!
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?
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.
Celebrating Sunshine says
Haha,”ole cast iron stomach”! So funny! As for your tacos… they look amazing! I’ll bring the Margarita! 🙂
Julie Menghini says
Ha!! Thank you Ana
Elaine @ foodbod says
Great flavours! I know my menfolk would love this…I take it I could replicate it in the oven?
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Elaine! Yes you could. I think most recipes from a crock pot can be made in a covered pot in the oven.
Elaine @ foodbod says
Cool 🙂 x
Johanne Lamarche says
This will be another favorite with my sons. Yum!
Julie Menghini says
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.
Johanne Lamarche says
You know us too well Julie!
[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? 😉
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!
freda says
Such a fabulous recipe, it looks delicious, Julie 🙂
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Freda!
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!
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.
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?
Julie Menghini says
I do Shari. I usually use olive oil so the rub adheres and it also helps keep the chicken moist
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
Spicy tacos are a hit in our house and your chipotle chicken ones sound great.
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Karen! We enjoyed them and they freeze well too.
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!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Sarah! They freeze well to so you can make a bunch and freeze the rest for a busy day.
James says
These look fantastic, Julie!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you James! Home up for sale yet?