Slow Cooker Honey Chipotle Chicken Tacos

Who wants tacos?! These sweet and spicy slow cooker chipotle chicken tacos are the perfect weeknight dinner. They make a ton, so get ready for leftovers!

By
Nick Evans
Nick Evans
Nick Evans
Nick has been creating recipes for home cooks for almost 12 years. He is the author of Love Your Leftovers and has contributed to Simply Recipes since 2017.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated May 01, 2023
Nick Evans
Crockpot Chipotle Chicken Tacos topped with radishes and cilantro on a plate
Nick Evans

My slow cooker is almost always on my kitchen counter. It’s just so easy to make dinner happen, even on the busiest weeknights.

These Slow Cooker Honey Chipotle Chicken Tacos need to be on your regular rotation right now.

Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Tacos
Nick Evans

Crowd-Pleasing Slow Cooker Tacos

They make an effortless midweek meal for the whole family, and they're also a crowd-pleaser for any Game Day party you might be throwing. Just set the slow cooker to "warm" and let everyone help themselves when they're hungry.

These tacos definitely bring the flavor! Made with shredded chicken, chipotle peppers, and honey, each bite has just enough sweetness and heat to wake up your taste buds. The chicken also stays really juicy when cooked in the slow cooker – after cooking, you'll be able to shred the meat with a fork!

Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Tacos
Nick Evans

Best Toppings for Chicken Tacos

When it comes to toppings, keep it simple. A little queso fresco, some crunchy red onions and radishes, and chopped fresh cilantro are all you need. Unless, of course, if you hate cilantro! If so, skip it and use chopped green onions instead.

For the tortillas, go for soft flour tortillas. These tortillas a so easy to fold and won’t rip or tear like some other tortillas.

Storing and Freezing Chicken Tacos

Leftovers will keep for up to 5 days in the fridge, or can be frozen for up to three months. If freezing, we recommend packaging them in individual containers or freezer bags. Thaw overnight and reheat in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave.

More Favorite Taco Recipes

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Slow Cooker Honey Chipotle Chicken Tacos

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 4 hrs
Total Time 4 hrs 10 mins
Servings 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

For the tacos:

  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thighs, or a mix

  • 1/2 cup plain tomato sauce

  • 1/4 cup honey

  • 1/2 white onion, chopped

  • Juice from 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons)

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 to 3 chipotle peppers from a can of Chipotles en Adobo, chopped (stems and seeds removed)

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons Adobo sauce, from a can of Chipotles en Adobo

  • 8 to 10 soft flour tortillas

Toppings:

  • Crumbled queso fresco

  • Diced red onion

  • Diced radish

  • Fresh cilantro

Method

  1. Combine the taco ingredients (except tortillas) in the slow cooker:

    Combine the chicken, tomato sauce, honey, onion, lime juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to your slow cooker. Add 1 to 3 chopped chipotle peppers and 1 to 2 tablespoons of Adobo sauce, depending on your preferred level of heat. Mix together well.

    Ingredients for slow cooker chicken tacos in the crockpot: chicken breasts, spices, onions, honey, tomato sauce, and chipotle
    Nick Evans
  2. Cover and cook:

    Cook in the slow cooker on high for 4 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours on low.

    Chicken breasts in a slow cooker for shredded chicken tacos
    Nick Evans
  3. Shred the chicken:

    At the end of cooking time, use two forks to shred chicken in the pot. Mix the shredded chicken with the sauce.

    At this point, the chicken can be held on the "warm" setting, covered, for 1 to 2 hours. Stir additional water as needed if the pot starts to become dry.

    Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Tacos
    Nick Evans
  4. Serve:

    Set out a stack of tortillas and all the toppings. Assemble and serve the tacos from the slow cooker.

    Leftover chicken will keep refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
546 Calories
14g Fat
58g Carbs
46g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 546
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14g 18%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 110mg 37%
Sodium 784mg 34%
Total Carbohydrate 58g 21%
Dietary Fiber 4g 13%
Total Sugars 15g
Protein 46g
Vitamin C 9mg 47%
Calcium 179mg 14%
Iron 4mg 23%
Potassium 590mg 13%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.