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
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
LOVE this recipe! Has anyone converted it to the Instant Pot for an even faster dinner? If so, how long did you need to cook it?
Family favorite! Quick, easy O points if your on blue program of weight watchers and affordable. Love love this recipe!!
This is a great recipe! I’ve made it numerous times now, and I use a cilantro lime salsa and packed 1/4 cup cilantro. I return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker with all the juices and cook it for just another five minutes to let the flavor really soak in. This is my go-to for taco night! Thanks for sharing, so easy and hardly any cleanup!
This is amazing and super easy!
I have very picky eaters who LOVE this.
This is delicious! I made a mango salsa to go with it on the tacos, muy bien 😋
Yum! Taco night is a regular occurrence at our house. I’ll have to give these a try 🙂
Can I make these ahead a day or two do you think?
This loooks amazing! I can’t wait to try it. This is for sure going on my meal plan for next week.
These chicken tacos are so good! I love that I can put the chicken in the slow cooker and it’s ready when I get home.
I like to review comments of recipes I’m considering to find others tweaks and modifications. Sometimes the recipe poster has made an error or missed an essential step or ingredient. NOT ONE PERSON HAD ANY CRITICISM OF THIS RECIPE!! I’m getting ready to make this GRAND-SLAM of a recipe now and can’t wait!!!
Thank you for such a winning recipe!!!
Anybody try adding canned black beans to this? Or corn? Full burrito style😉
I always serve with black beans.
Excellent recipe.
Love these! I’ve made them many times. They are stupid easy!
How long should you set for instapot?
First of all, welcome to Texas!
I haven’t tried this recipe yet, but it sounds delicious! Everyone in my family loves all the ingredients, so it should be a huge hit.
This recipe has become a staple in our home and I’m so grateful every time I make it! We do chicken burritos or pile a heap onto lettuce or sauteed kale. Thank you for this great recipe! I share it with everyone I know.
These pack a great flavour punch – they were definitely a hit with the whole family, and will be made on regular repeat. SO tasty!
I love how incredibly easy this dish is. And as someone in the process of moving right now, I know exactly what you mean on the stress and hassle! But sounds like you had a great trip on the way.
You had me at cilantro! Yum this is a new fave!
Everyone in my family loves these tacos. Easy to prepare too!
This was so easy to make but turned out to be so flavorful! Love the shortcut of using a slow cooker + taco seasoning to get deep flavor without a ton of work!
I am cooking for just 2 people and don’t mind left overs but 8 servings seems a lot. May I cook half the recipe in a 6qt size crock pot?
Yes!
I have been using HEBs fresh medium salsa (in the produce department) for a lot of my Mexican recipes and it has been the perfect combination of tomato, onion, cilantro and spice! Ground meat and diced potatoes in broth with that salsa is the perfect picadillo soup. Much easier than dicing all the ingredients separately for a quick dinner.
I will definitely try the cilantro lime chicken recipe soon. Thanks and I hope you are loving Texas!
This recipe has turned into one of my all time favorites to make because not only is it delicious, it’s SUPER easy to make! 10/10 recommend
Can you use fresh salsa?
Sure!