Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken

I love a slow cooker recipe that takes hardly any effort, and this Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken is exactly that. There are just four ingredients, everything gets thrown into the crockpot, and then you can pretty much forget about it until dinner.

The chicken cooks in taco seasoning, salsa, and corn until it’s really tender and easy to shred. It’s nothing fancy at all, but it’s full of flavor and one of those handy recipes that you can use in loads of different ways.

We’ll have it in tacos one night, but it’s just as good piled onto nachos, stuffed into burritos, or served over rice with all our favorite toppings. It’s especially useful on those busy days when I know I’m not going to want to start making dinner from scratch later on.

Ingredients

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts: I use three large chicken breasts for this, and there’s no need to cut them up before they go into the slow cooker.

• Taco seasoning: A packet of taco seasoning keeps things really easy and gives the chicken plenty of flavor without needing lots of different spices.

• Corn: Just drain the corn well before adding it to the slow cooker, I use a regular can of sweet corn.

• Salsa: Use whichever salsa you normally buy and love; mild, medium, or hot all work depending on how much heat you want.

Recipe Instructions

Full measurements and cooking times can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1: Place the chicken breast in the bottom of your crockpot and sprinkle the taco seasoning evenly over the top.

Step 2: Add the corn, followed by the salsa.

Step 3: Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.

Step 4: Shred the chicken, then use it for tacos, burritos, nachos, bowls, or any of your favorite Mexican-inspired meals.

What to Serve with Crockpot Mexican Chicken

This is one of those recipes you can serve a different way every time you make it. We usually just put a few different things on the table and let everyone build their own, which also makes dinner nice and easy.

• Tacos – Spoon the shredded chicken into soft or crunchy taco shells and add your favorite toppings.

• Rice bowls – Serve it over rice with avocado, cheese, sour cream, and anything else you fancy.

• Nachos – Pile it over tortilla chips, add plenty of cheese, and pop everything in the oven until the cheese has melted.

• Burritos – Wrap it up with rice, beans, cheese, and a little extra salsa.

• Quesadillas – Add the chicken and plenty of cheese between tortillas for a really easy dinner or lunch.

• Salad – It’s also really good over a simple salad if you want something a little lighter.

Storing

If you have any leftovers, let the chicken cool and then pop it into an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll keep well for around 3–4 days, so it’s handy to have there for an easy lunch or another dinner later in the week.

You can reheat it in the microwave or warm it gently in a pan on the stove. I like to add a little of the leftover cooking liquid or an extra spoonful of salsa when reheating so the chicken stays nice and juicy.

Variations & Substitutions

This is such a simple recipe that it’s really easy to change things around depending on what you have in the kitchen. I make it pretty much as written most of the time, but there are plenty of little swaps you can make.

• Use chicken thighs – Boneless skinless chicken thighs work really well and stay lovely and tender in the slow cooker.

• Make it spicier – Use a hot salsa or add some sliced jalapeños if you like a bit more heat.

• Add black beans – Drain and rinse a can of black beans and add them for an easy way to bulk everything out.

• Switch up the corn – Frozen corn works just as well if that’s what you already have.

• Add some veggies – Diced bell peppers or onions are easy additions and can go straight into the slow cooker.

• Use homemade taco seasoning – If you have your own taco seasoning mix, you can use that instead of a packet.

FAQs

Can you put raw chicken in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can put raw chicken straight into the slow cooker. Just make sure it’s fully cooked before serving and has reached an internal temperature of 165°F.

How long does chicken take to cook in the slow cooker?

For this recipe, cook the chicken on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours. Once it’s cooked through, it should be really tender and easy to shred with two forks.

Can I use chicken thighs for Crockpot Mexican chicken?

Yes! Boneless skinless chicken thighs are a great substitute for chicken breasts and work really well in the slow cooker. You may find they’re even a little juicier once shredded.

Can I use frozen chicken in the slow cooker?

It’s best to thaw frozen chicken before putting it in the slow cooker. This helps the chicken cook safely and evenly.

How do you shred slow cooker chicken?

Once the chicken is cooked, take two forks and pull it apart right in the slow cooker. Give everything a good stir afterward so the shredded chicken gets coated in all that salsa and seasoning.

What can I make with Mexican shredded chicken?

There are loads of options! Use it for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, enchiladas, rice bowls, salads, or even loaded baked potatoes.

Can you freeze Crockpot Mexican chicken?

Yes, this freezes really well. Let it cool completely, pop it into a freezer-safe container or bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How can I make slow cooker Mexican chicken spicier?

The easiest way is to use a hot salsa, but you can also add jalapeños, diced green chiles, cayenne pepper, or a little hot sauce. You can always keep the chicken fairly mild and let everyone add extra heat to their own serving instead.