Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos
These Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos are so delicious and simple to make! A five ingredient dump-and-go meal that takes minutes to prepare and cooks all day in the slow cooker!
Since fall is in full swing, that means it’s also crockpot season!
My favorite kind of crockpot meals are the ones that require absolutely zero work aside from throwing everything into the crockpot (like Mississippi Pot Roast) and these Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos fit that bill, y’all!
Five ingredients, dump ’em in, and check back in a few hours. You cannot beat that.
I served up these Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos over some freshly made flour tortillas from H.E.B (the most amazing grocery store I’ve ever set foot in, by the way; God Bless Texas!) then topped them with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, a drizzle of ranch, and even more cilantro!
Yes, hopefully if you’re reading this post you are a fellow cilantro lover, because there is plenty of it in this recipe!
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos
- chicken breasts
- taco seasoning
- salsa
- cilantro
- limes
How to Make Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos – Step by Step
- Place chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning over the top, then cover with salsa, lime juice, and cilantro.
- Place lid on top and cook for four hours on high, or 6-7 hours on low. Remove chicken from crockpot to a separate bowl and shred with two forks. Moisten chicken with small amounts of juice left over from the crockpot until you get the amount of moisture that you like. I used about 1/2 – 3/4 cup juice.
- Serve with taco shells or tortillas, adding on your favorite toppings. I like to use shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced avocado, cheese, sour cream, and even a drizzle of ranch dressing. Enjoy!
Tips and Notes
How to make Cilantro Lime Chicken in the Instant Pot
On super busy nights, or when I forget to put everything in the crockpot in time, I like to make this in the Instant Pot. Add 1/2 a cup of chicken broth or water to the bottom of your Instant Pot, then add the rest of the ingredients on top. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, then allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes. Release any remaining pressure, remove the lid, and shred chicken as directed.
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes! Chicken thighs work great in place of chicken thighs. All instructions and cook times remain the same for thighs.
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes! You can use frozen chicken in either the crockpot or Instant Pot version. You might need to increase the cook time by about 1-2 hours in the slow cooker. For the Instant Pot, cook on high pressure for 20 minutes with a 10 minute natural release before releasing any remaining pressure.
Is Cilantro Lime Chicken Gluten Free?
Yes, just make sure you choose a gluten-free taco seasoning. Many of the kinds that you can buy at the store are gluten-free, just double check the labels. You can also make a this homemade taco seasoning.
Can I freeze Cilantro Lime Chicken?
Yes! I like to make a big batch and freeze leftovers. Once your chicken is cooled, add small servings to individual ziplock bags and squeeze out the air. Lay flat and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight then reheat on the stove over low heat, or in the microwave.
How to serve Cilantro Lime Chicken
You can serve with hard or soft taco shells, and sprinkle on all of your favorite toppings! Pico, guacamole, cilantro, sour cream, and cheese are some of our favorites.
You can also serve over rice to make cilantro lime chicken burrito bowls, or over mixed salad greens for a cilantro lime chicken salad!
More Delicious Crockpot Recipes
Recipe: Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
- 2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, (fresh or frozen)
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix, (I use low sodium)
- 1 16 oz jar salsa , (use your favorite; I used a local Texas brand)
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- juice from two limes
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the top, then cover with salsa, lime juice, and cilantro.
- Place lid on top and cook for four hours on high, or 6-7 hours on low. Remove chicken from crockpot to a separate bowl and shred with two forks. Moisten chicken with small amounts of juice left over from the crockpot until you get the amount of moisture that you like. I used about 1/2 - 3/4 cup juice.
- Serve with taco shells or tortillas, adding on your favorite toppings. I like to use shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced avocado, cheese, sour cream, and even a drizzle of ranch dressing. Enjoy!
Notes
- How to make Cilantro Lime Chicken in the Instant Pot: On super busy nights, or when I forget to put everything in the crockpot in time, I like to make this in the Instant Pot. Add 1/2 a cup of chicken broth or water to the bottom of your Instant Pot, then add the rest of the ingredients on top. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, then allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes. Release any remaining pressure, remove the lid, and shred chicken as directed.
- Using chicken thighs: Chicken thighs work great in place of chicken thighs. All instructions and cook times remain the same for thighs.
- Using frozen chicken: You can use frozen chicken in either the crockpot or Instant Pot version. You might need to increase the cook time by about 1-2 hours in the slow cooker. For the Instant Pot, cook on high pressure for 20 minutes with a 10 minute natural release before releasing any remaining pressure.
- Gluten Free: This recipe is gluten free, just make sure you choose a gluten-free taco seasoning. Many of the kinds that you can buy at the store are gluten-free, just double check the labels. You can also make a this homemade taco seasoning.
- Freezing leftovers: I like to make a big batch and freeze leftovers. Once your chicken is cooled, add small servings to individual ziplock bags and squeeze out the air. Lay flat and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight then reheat on the stove over low heat, or in the microwave.
- Serving Suggestions: You can serve with hard or soft taco shells, and sprinkle on all of your favorite toppings! Pico, guacamole, cilantro, sour cream, and cheese are some of our favorites. You can also serve over rice to make cilantro lime chicken burrito bowls, or over mixed salad greens for a cilantro lime chicken salad!
Adapted from Allrecipes
Can this be made with chicken thighs instead of breasts?
I use chicken thighs for other recipes that call for breasts a lot, so I think you could here as well!
I have this in the crockpot now. I substituted salsa with Rotel. I can’t wait to try it.
Hope you enjoyed it, Lori!
How was it with the Rotel? Sorry, I’m just now finding this recipe!
Could you double this, or at least do one and half amounts?
Thanks
Hi Pam, I think you could definitely do both of those with success. Enjoy!
I have a jar of taco seasoning mix…how much should I add? Tablespoon?
Hi Sara, so sorry for the late response. I’ve been pretty sick and have been taking a break. You can use about 2-3 TB of taco seasoning.
What’s the calories for a serving??
Hi Sara, you can find nutrition info for the recipe here: http://www.yummly.com/recipe/Slow-Cooker-Cilantro-Lime-Chicken-Tacos-1849804
Do you cool the chicken beforehand or no?
Hi Sara, so sorry for the late response. I’ve been pretty sick and have been taking a break. No need to cool the chicken. You can put in frozen if you wish!
Hi there! Anxious to see what this tastes like tonight but I’m stuck…do u follow the instructions on the back of the taco seasoning pack to mix or just pour the dry seasoning over the chicken?
Hi Shannon, so sorry for the late response. I’ve been pretty sick and have been taking a break. Just dump the taco seasoning over the chicken. Ignore the packet instructions! Enjoy!
Made this for dinner last night. It’s amazing! So yummy! Juicy and so flavorful. Even my 18month old son loved it. Will be making again. Also super easy.
So glad y’all enjoyed it Carrie!!
Hi, is it okay if I leave the chicken in the pot to cook longer because I am gone for 8-9 hours… and if not what are some tips? 🙂 Cooking this tomorrow evening!
Hi Megan, so sorry for the late response. I’ve been pretty sick and have been taking a break. Do you have a slow cooker that can switch to warm after it’s done cooking? I’d recommend that because chicken breasts can get tough in the slow cooker if cooked too long.
I just have an old fashioned slow cooker, but I use a timer to plug the crock into so it will start at the time that will allow it not to overcook,,works fine!
DO you think this recipe would work with ground chicken also?
So sorry for the late response, Julia. I’ve been very sick and have been taking a break for awhile. Now to be honest about the ground chicken, I’m not sure. I don’t think it would do well in the slow cooker. You might be able to try it with ground chicken on the stove top though. Let me know if you give it a try!
SO, SO good!! I tried the same day I pinned this b/c it was a late night getting home with the kids, absolutely delicious! Everyone loved it, especially the kids – winner, thanks for sharing!
So glad y’all enjoyed this, Julie!!!
These look delicious! I will try them today!
Hope you enjoyed them, Liz!
I’m sorry, but what size crockpot should I use? This might be stupid questions!
Hi Shelley, not a dumb question at all! Mine is a six quart crockpot. Hope you enjoy the recipe!
Should the size of crock pot change the recipe or ingredients, or cooking time? I have a 7 qt crock pot and an electric crockpot/pressure cooker??
You shouldn’t need to change anything, Kimm! Mine is a six quart, but if I had a 7 quart I would use the same ingredients and measurements.
These look delicious…and easy!! I have a little one and another on the way so I love recipes that I can make quicky for busy times. I am so jealous you got the opportunity to live in Hawaii; I am dying to visit!! Thank you for sharing your recipe!
Thanks Nicole! And yes Hawaii was wonderful. I dream about it and miss it everyday! Hope you enjoy the recipe!
What is a serving size?
I’ve never measured exactly, but I would say about 1/3-2/3 of a cup!
Tried this tonight and I loved it! Quick, easy and sooooo yummy…thank you, Belle of the Kitchen!!
So glad you enjoyed it, Sue! Thanks for coming back and letting me know. 🙂
we eat tacos quite a bit in my house because its something that the kids want. They love to customize their own toppings so throwing the meat and have it cook in a slow cooker all day makes it so much easier to throw together at night!