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Close up of a bowl of slow cooker salsa chicken with sprigs of cilantro to the side for garnish.
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4.62 from 63 votes

Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken

Slow cooker Mexican shredded chicken is just 3 easy ingredients and minutes to prep, but has such delicious flavor! Use it for tacos, nachos, grain bowls, sliders, salads and more!
Prep Time3 minutes
Cook Time5 hours
Total Time5 hours 3 minutes
Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1 (16 oz.) jar salsa (see notes)

Instructions

  • Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Sprinkle with taco seasoning.
  • Pour the salsa over the chicken breasts and cover the slow cooker.
  • Cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 2 ½ to 3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through.
  • Remove the chicken breasts and shred. Return the shredded meat to the slow cooker and stir to get it well mixed with the sauce. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Chicken: I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts but you could substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer, or use a mix of the two. You can also use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe.
Salsa: I prefer a chunky, jarred salsa for this. It will break down into the sauce without becoming too runny or liquidy like a fresh salsa or a more pureed salsa might. Feel free to use a mild, medium or hot salsa depending on your tastes. You could also use a flavored salsa if you want to change up the flavor here.
Taco seasoning: You can use store-bought taco seasoning or make my easy homemade taco seasoning.
Serving ideas: You can use this shredded chicken for tacos, nachos, burritos, enchiladas, wraps, salads, sliders and more! It's so versatile!
Topping ideas: Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, avocado slices or guacamole, extra salsa, Greek yogurt or sour cream, pickled red onions or pickled jalapenos, hot sauce or a drizzle of sriracha, etc.
Leftovers: The leftovers can be stored in a covered container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days or in the freezer for up to 5-6 months.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 199kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 347mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g
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