You have all waited patiently while my life changed with the arrival of my new slow cooker. Apparently, I am very late to this party. I had no idea there was this whole huge world of slow cooker devotees. There are even websites devoted to only slow cooker recipes. I could wallow in self pity right now, knowing that all these years I could have been starting my dinner first thing in the morning and then return at 6:00 pm to a fully cooked meal. I could think about all the fall apart tender meats I missed out on or the flavorful soups and stews that could have been. But who can be down when you’re in love? Not me, friends. Because I am in LOVE with my new slow cooker.
I use the words “slow cooker” instead of Crock Pot because Crock Pot is a brand which I don’t have. But for all intents and purposes, they are used in the same way. If you don’t have a slow cooker, I am not trying to sell you one here and I will provide directions in this recipe for how to make these tacos without one. But seriously people, this machine rocks. I don’t know what took me so long to get one. I think part of my resistance was that I don’t have any room in my kitchen to store it. I still don’t, but I did give away a box of Disney DVD’s in the garage to make space for it. (Shhhhhh!) I also never had a job where I left early in the morning and didn’t return until 6:00 pm to a house of hungry human beings. Until now.
The irony is that I bought my sister a slow cooker a few years ago when she had her second baby because she does have a job like that. She has been raving about it ever since! A few months ago, I gave my other sister the same slow cooker when she moved into a new house and I think she just started playing around with it. But I’ve used mine a few times a week since mid-December and I’m hooked.
Listen, no one needs a slow cooker, but here is why I love mine:
–if you spend a little time before you leave for the day, your slow cooker will make dinner and keep it warm for you until dinnertime;
–slow cookers cook at low heat for longer time. Lower heat prevents nutrient loss. Also, cooking above 350 degrees (which a slow cooker does NOT) can create AGE’s (advanced glycation end products) which are very inflammatory to the body and considered carcinogenic (ugh.) Yup, you heard that right. Preparing food in a slow cooker is better for your health!
–slow cooking can be very beneficial to tougher, leaner cuts of meat by breaking down the muscle and creating a very soft, tender meat;
–you can leave it unattended for up to 12 hours without overcooking your food or worrying about burning your kitchen down.
Again, I am new to slow cookers, and although I have learned a lot just by trail and error, I am no expert. But so far, I’ve noticed that I prefer the recipes that ask you to brown meat or saute vegetables before adding them to the slow cooker. You get much better flavor that way. Yes, I realize you’re getting another pan dirty, but it’s worth it and you’re getting it over with in advance. Also, I’ve made many non-slow cooker recipes in the slow cooker and just reduced the liquid a bit since there’s almost no evaporation happening and a lot of condensation.
The recipe I’m posting today is a super easy one which I made on Sunday. This is truly a measure, dump and press start recipe. I used two different kind of chicken parts to see how they would both turn out and I’ll tell you the truth — although my family much prefers white meat, no one could tell what was what. Both the thigh and breast meat were super fork-tender. I personally think thighs have more flavor, but that’s just me. Everyone L-O-V-E-D these! I set up a taco bar with lots of toppings so they could just help themselves so I could sit on the couch with a cozy blanket and the new issue of Bon Appetit while watching the football game. Bliss. Slow cooker + Me = Together Forever!
Any slow cooker love stories out there? I want to know it all — how and when you met, how you keep the passion alive, recipes for success, etc!
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts and/or thighs (I used 2 breasts and 3 thighs.)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground chipotle powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- black pepper to taste
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- ½ cup prepared tomato salsa, I used pico de gallo. + more for serving
- suggested accompaniments: corn tortillas, guacamole, salsa, shredded lettuce, cilantro-lime slaw
Instructions
- Place the chicken in slow cooker and sprinkle with chili powder, cumin, chipotle powder, salt and pepper. Add garlic and salsa and rub around to combine. Cover; cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
- Either shred the chicken with 2 forks right in the slow cooker or transfer to a plate to shred. Moisten chicken with cooking juices and serve with desired tortillas/taco shells and toppings. You could even serve the chicken over rice with salsa and diced avocados.
Notes
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
Thanks for the recipe. It’s great to find a chicken recipe that doesn’t have to be cooked in a pan and then put in the slow cooker. That’s what most recipes I find require unfortunately, and I want easy 1-step. Please post more! I’m a huge fan.
Thank you, Mark! Although I think sometimes that extra step creates great flavor, it’s hard to beat the ease of something like this recipe. Hope you enjoy!
What other suggestions on spices do you recomend me because i have 3 year old twins and i think chili powder, chipotle…Will be too strong. Thank you!
I think you can omit the chipotle (although it doesn’t make the chicken very spicy, just a hint) and I think you can halve the chili powder. Maybe add in a little onion powder and garlic powder. I think it will be great!
Made this tonight with a few variations. I used 2 1/2 tsp. Manjaman Redd Lava Chili spice instead of the chili pwdr, cumin and chipotle. I have been waiting to try the Red Lava spice since we’ve had it at GROW. I also substituted Amy’s organic jarred salsa (not the famous fresh GROW salsa)for the pico de gallo. SO DELICIOUS, easy as you said it would be and HUGE crowd favorite. Chicken was melt in your mouth!
I LOVE your substitutions Kathy, and I think using GROW salsa would be amazing! I’m going to make it that way for the Super Bowl. Thank you!!
I do not have a slow cooker yet but for whatever reason bought a slow cooker cookbook that gives the recipes to be cooked in either a slow cooker or dutch oven. Have you ever tried slow cooking in your Le Creuset dutch ovens?
I live for my Le Creuset Dutch oven. We have not broken up! Yes, I’ve “slow cooked” in that many, many times and it’s still a keeper.
Hi Pamela, this recipe looks great- I can’t wait to try it. I have the best luck cooking beef in the slow cooker- especially a cut that! needs to tenderize over a long cooking time. Sometimes I feel that chicken has a variable cooking time depending on the thickness of the pieces, so it’s hard for me to predict exactly how long to cook the chicken in the slow cooker– have you had that problem? Also, my new love is overnight slow cooker sweet potato oatmeal– I just posted the recipe if you want to check it out. Best, Dana
Thanks for your comments, Dana! I made a beef stew in the slow cooker and it turned out amazing. I’ve done chicken a few times, and I’m thinking 4 hours on high is just fine, but if 8 hours is more convenient it works too. YOur slow cooker sweet potato oatmeal recipe is right up my alley since pumpkin oatmeal is my fave. Here’s the link for anyone who want to see Dana’s recipe: http://foodiegoeshealthy.com/sweet-potato-oatmeal/#more-2219
Thank you for posting my link, Dana
I’ve been using a slow cooker for years. Its particularly fantastic for curries, osso bucco and minestrone soup!
Good suggestions, Bev!
I just bought a crock pot this weekend! I happened to see it on sale and loved it cause it’s red and matched all my other counter top appliances. I haven’t even had time to look up recipes and here you post one. What a coincidence. And my favorite food too, healthy mexican. Thank you Pamela, can’t wait to try it!
What luck! Report back when you try it out!
Oh this chicken just looks so succulent! Maybe time to get a slow cooker myself!
Melts in your mouth!
This looks so wonderful! I already had some chicken thawing and pinto beans soaking so this will be perfect to try tonight! So glad you posted this. 🙂
Perfect!
Which slow cooker did you buy? You made it sound so good I want to get one today!!
Deena, just click on the link in the text where I wrote “my slow cooker” and it will direct you to the link of the exact model I have, which is an ALl-Clad. I also provide the link to the ones I got my sisters which is a Hamilton Beach and a lot less $. Hope that helps!