Crock pot Mexican Shredded Chicken is perfect for tacos, burritos, salads, or nachos. Made with chicken, canned tomatoes and chilies, this chicken is packed full of flavor.
This shredded chicken is perfect for dinner and for meal prepping. You can make a batch of this chicken and use for dinner and then freeze the leftovers and use for another meal. This shredded chicken is perfect in baked chicken taquitos and green chili enchiladas.
Use your favorite cut of chicken
My recipe uses boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Using boneless and skinless makes this dish so easy to make.
I have made this using a whole chicken before. The results are the same, but the cooking time is longer and the shredding takes more time.
Flavor boosters
To help keep this chicken extra moist and to add some great Mexican flavors, I've added canned tomatoes and roasted chilies. You can make your own or buy cans of tomatoes and chilies at the grocery store.
The seasonings include chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder and salt and pepper.
How to use shredded chicken
There are so many great ways to use this Mexican shredded chicken. A few ideas include:
- Make chicken enchiladas
- Add to a salad
- Fill a burrito and make chicken burritos
- Add to a burrito bowl
- Add a bit to a quesadilla
- Make chicken tortilla soup
- Use as a filling for tacos
Tips for making shredded chicken
- Use diced, chopped or stewed tomatoes
- Add liquid from canned tomatoes
- Drain canned chilies
- Use any variety of chilies and select the heat you prefer
- Recipe can be doubled, but cook time will increase
- Cooking time may vary depending on your crock pot and the amount you are cooking
- Shred chicken with two forks or a fork and a pair of tongs
To freeze
To freeze the shredded chicken, allow chicken to cool. Place in a freezer safe container along with a bit of the cooking liquid and freeze for up to two months.
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Crock Pot Mexican Shredded Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2-3 pounds chicken breasts or thighs (boneless and skinless)
- 1 quart canned diced tomatoes (or 1 can (28 ounces) )
- 1 can roasted chilies (7 ounce, drain liquid)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Place chicken in crock pot
- Add tomatoes, chilies and seasonings
- Cook on high 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours
- Remove chicken and let cool just enough to handle
- Shred chicken with two forks
- Add chicken back into crock pot and heat through.
Notes
Tips for making shredded chicken
- Use diced, chopped or stewed tomatoes
- Add liquid from canned tomatoes
- Drain canned chilies
- Use any variety of chilies and select the heat you prefer
- Recipe can be doubled, but cook time will increase
- Cooking time may vary depending on your crock pot and the amount you are cooking
- Shred chicken with two forks or a fork and a pair of tongs
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in February 2016. The recipe, images and content have been updated.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Love the flavours in this Kathy and talk about versatile! This shredded chicken can be used in so many delicious ways. Bet it's so great for meal prep for the week ahead 🙂
David @ Spiced says
I remember the first time I ever had crock pot shredded chicken. A professor in grad school invited us over to her house for dinner on the night of our last class. We made simple tacos using shredded chicken like this...and I couldn't get enough! I remember asking her all of the details on how to make it. It's such a versatile 'ingredient' for other recipes! I like the addition of roasted chiles in your version!
Kathy says
Thanks! There are indeed so many ways to make shredded chicken and so many uses for it!
karrie @ Tasty Ever After says
Yes to a taco bar with this shredded chicken!! Love it and love that it's made in the crockpot too 🙂
Kathy says
The crock pot makes it so easy!
David @ Spiced says
We grew Anaheims last summer, too. Actually I think it was 2 summers ago. Either way, I digress. This chicken looks so incredibly tasty! I'm thinking we need to make a big pot and turn them into delicious tacos. (My mouth is seriously watering just thinking about that right now...haha!)
Kathy says
It is very tasty and perfect in tacos!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I am definitely ready for the big game... because we are going to a neighbors house, so all I have to do is shower and get dressed. 😉 I think I can handle that much. lol. LOVE this shredded chicken! Mexican flavored anything makes my taste buds tingle! Plus hello crock pot easy! Yesss! Cheers, Kathy and happy almost weekend!
Kathy says
We eat a lot of Mexican food in our house. Love it!
Laura ~ Raise Your Garden says
Again, I'm just laughing at this post (at myself not you!) because my Mom is always getting on me about having shredded chicken on hand. She is always telling how useful it is and all the wonderful things you are saying in this post =) You're both right!
Kathy says
You should always listen to your mother! 🙂
Melanie @ Melanie Cooks says
Love the crockpot meals! There are so many yummy things I can make with the shredded chicken, can never have enough of it!
Kathy says
I don't use my crock pot nearly enough!
Meghan | Fox and Briar says
I love that you can just throw everything in the crock pot and go! I am just like you, planning ahead is not always my thing. So often it is almost dinner time and the meat is still frozen! I love this simple recipe, definitely going to try!
Kathy says
I think you are going to love it! Delicious and easy!
Suzi says
Cooking a whole chicken in the crockpot is my favorite go to meal. This Sunday I'm going to try the queso recipe you posted last year.
Kathy says
Perfect game watching food!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
Dear Kathy, what a great staple recipe! I can only imagine how good this tastes with your own fresh chicken and garden Anaheims. I also love that it's a slow cooker recipe. Just the word slow cooker and my breathing relaxes. Seriously. The slow cooker is my best friend and helps keep things calm at meal times. Thanks for this great, flexible recipe!
Kathy says
I love coming home and having a meal all ready to go!