• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Everyday Latina
  • Recipes
  • Authentic Mexican Recipes
  • Mi Casa
    • Kid-Friendly Tips
    • Natural Home Remedies
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • All Recipes
  • Authentic Mexican Recipes
  • Mi Casa
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Whole30 Slow Cooker Crispy Chicken Tacos

    Published: Dec 4, 2018 · Modified: Jul 2, 2022 by Gemma · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Perfectly seasoned chicken is slow cooked, then made crispy in the oven for easy, flavorful Whole30 Slow Cooker Crispy Chicken Tacos.

    Whole30 slow cooker crispy chicken tacos in lettuce leaves #whole30slowcookercrispychickentacos #chickentacos #lettucetacos

    Whole30 Slow Cooker Crispy Chicken Tacos

    Have you tried the recipe for Creamy Tomatillo Avocado Salsa? If not, then I am going to give you the perfect reason to try it!

    These Whole30 slow cooker crispy chicken tacos are delicious all by themselves. However, once topped off with a spicy and creamy salsa they are elevated to a whole new level of deliciousness!

    Tacos have to be one of my favorite dishes, and not just one specific type either. That's the beauty of this Mexican dish, the possibilities are endless and so good.

    In Mexico, traditional tacos are served on soft warm corn tortillas, filled with a mouthwatering, skillfully prepared meat, then topped with a fresh salsa.

    These Whole30 slow cooker crispy chicken tacos deviate a bit from the traditional since I served the meat on lettuce leaves. However, this is an optional way to serve them for those who are on Whole30.

    When I created this recipe I also tried the chicken on corn tortillas and it was just as good. Honestly it was better, but that might just be my preference since I have an obsession with tortillas.

    Ultimately the way you serve them is up to you, but I think you will love them either way.

    Whole30 slow cooker crispy chicken tacos #whole30slowcookercrispychickentacos #chickentacos

    How to Make Slow Cooker Crispy Chicken Tacos

    Slow Cooking

    To begin, add 1 ½ to 2 pounds of boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs to your slow cooker.

    Then mix together adobo, salt, pepper, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano and chili powder. If you are on Whole30, check the ingredients of your adobo to make sure it is compliant or omit it if it is not.

    Add the juice of 3 limes and 1 ½ cups of water or chicken broth to the mixture. Pour this mixture on top of the chicken in the slow cooker.

    Stir everything together to make sure the chicken is coated with the spices on all sides. Then add a chopped jalapeño on top.

    Cook for 4 hours until chicken is tender and easy to shred.

    Shredded chicken #whole30slowcookercrispychickentacos #chickentacos
    Crispy shredded chicken #whole30slowcookercrispychickentacos #chickentacos

    Broiling

    Once the chicken is done cooking, turn your oven to broil.

    Take the chicken out of the slow cooker and shred. It will be tender enough to pull apart with two forks. Our you can also use this handy meat shredder.

    Next, cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick spray or olive oil.

    Place the chicken on the baking sheet. Spread out into one even layer.

    Pour about ¼ cup of the liquid from the slow cooker on top of the chicken.

    Place the baking sheet in the oven. Let it broil for about 5 minutes until the chicken starts getting crispy.

    Remove the baking sheet from the oven and pour another ¼ cup of liquid over the chicken and give it a quick toss.

    Then, place the baking sheet back in the broiler for another 3-5 minutes until the chicken is crispy and golden.

    To Serve

    Like I said earlier, you can serve the crispy shredded chicken on warm corn tortillas or lettuce leaves for a Whole30 compliant version.

    These tacos are great topped off with a simple and healthy pico de gallo or a creamy tomatillo avocado salsa. I used both because I was looking for some extra heat and I was very pleased!

    There you have it, Whole30 slow cooker crispy chicken tacos for an easy and healthy dinner or to satisfy your next taco craving.

    Whole30 slow cooker crispy chicken tacos #whole30slowcookercrispychickentacos #chickentacos #lettucetacos

    I hope you enjoy!

    Please leave me a comment below if you make this or tag me on Instagram @everydaylatina.

    Recipe

    Whole30 slow cooker crispy chicken tacos in lettuce leaves #whole30slowcookercrispychickentacos #chickentacos #lettucetacos

    Whole30 Slow Cooker Crispy Chicken Tacos

    by Gemma Aguayo-Murphy
    Perfectly seasoned chicken begins in the slow cooker, then made crispy in the oven for easy and flavorful Whole30 slow cooker crispy chicken tacos.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ - 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
    • 1 teaspoon adobo (see notes)
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon cumin
    • ¼ teaspoon oregano
    • ½ teaspoon chili powder
    • 2 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 2 teaspoon onion powder
    • 3 limes
    • 1 ½ cups water or chicken broth
    • 1 jalapeño

    Instructions
     

    • Add chicken to the slow cooker.
    • In a separate bowl, mix together adobo*, salt, pepper, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and chili powder.
    • Add the juice of 3 limes and 1 ½ cups of water or chicken broth to the mixture. Pour this mixture on top of the chicken in the slow cooker.
    • Stir everything together to make sure the chicken is coated with the spices on all sides. 
    • Chop the jalapeño and add it on top of the chicken.
    • Cook for 4 hours until chicken is tender and easy to shred. Once the chicken is done cooking, turn your oven to broil.*
    • Take the chicken out of the slow cooker and shred. It will be tender enough to pull apart with two forks.
    • Next, cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick spray or olive oil. Place the chicken on the baking sheet. Spread out into one even layer.
    • Pour about ¼ cup of the liquid from the slow cooker on top of the chicken.
    • Place the baking sheet in the oven. Let it broil for about 5 minutes until the chicken starts getting crispy. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and pour another ¼ cup of liquid over the chicken and give it a quick toss.
    • Then, place the baking sheet back in the broiler for another 3-5 minutes until the chicken is crispy and golden.
    • Serve on warm corn tortillas or lettuce leaves for a Whole30 compliant version. Top with pico de gallo or creamy tomatillo avocado salsa.

    Notes

    *If you are on Whole30, check the ingredients of your adobo to make sure it is compliant and omit it if it is not.
    *The chicken does dry out when broiled. Be sure to only place it under the broiler when you are ready to serve.
    Did you try this recipe?Leave me a comment and star rating below or mention @everydaylatina on Instagram!
    Did you make this recipe? Tag @everydaylatina on Instagram and hashtag it #everydaylatina

    {This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.}

    My Amazon Picks

    More Healthy & Whole30 Recipes

    • Plate with refried beans, toast and huevos con jamon
      Huevos con Jamon (Scrambled Eggs with Ham)
    • Glass full of Mexican shrimp cocktail
      Coctel de Camarones (Mexican Shrimp Cocktail)
    • Bowl of salsa bandera with a plant and red cloth in the background
      Fresh Salsa Bandera (Pico de Gallo)
    • Bowl of 4-ingredient guacamole surrounded by tortilla chips and vegetables
      4-Ingredient Guacamole Recipe with Roasted Vegetables

    About Gemma

    Gemma is the recipe developer, writer and food photographer behind Everyday Latina. Gemma was born in Mexico, but has spent the majority of her life in the United States. She has been sharing recipes since 2018 with an emphasis on her parents' traditional Mexican cuisine and a focus on clean, healthy ingredients. Her goal is to build a community of people who appreciate family, food and culture and, who like her, want to live a healthy, happy everyday life.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Yadira Zapata

      January 06, 2021 at 9:44 pm

      Hi! Is it 4 hours in the slow cooker on high or on low?

      Thank you!

      Reply
      • everydaylatina

        January 06, 2021 at 9:46 pm

        Hi, it is 4 hours on high.

        Reply
    2. Kathryn Felgenhauer

      December 13, 2018 at 9:52 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious - YUM! I have avocados growing in my yard just now so the salsa recipe is enticing!

      Reply
      • everydaylatina

        December 13, 2018 at 12:49 pm

        You have to try it, I bet it is even better with homegrown avocados!

        Reply
    3. Michele Vadnais

      December 12, 2018 at 6:24 am

      Your food always sounds amazing! Growing up in Texas I have a taco obsession too!

      Reply
      • everydaylatina

        December 13, 2018 at 12:49 pm

        Thank you so much! Tacos are just so good!

        Reply
    4. Jeremee Duncan

      December 11, 2018 at 9:42 pm

      5 stars
      I have to try this!! They look delicious!!

      Reply
      • everydaylatina

        December 13, 2018 at 12:49 pm

        Thank you, I hope you do. The crispy chicken is even great over a salad.

        Reply
    5. Margaret Jackson

      December 11, 2018 at 7:26 pm

      Looks like a great recipe! Printing! I've done the Whole 30 a couple of years ago and never felt better!

      Reply
      • everydaylatina

        December 13, 2018 at 12:50 pm

        Oh good, I hope you like it! Isn't crazy what a difference the Whole30 makes? My husband and I are planning another round at the beginning of the year.

        Reply
    6. Angela Greven

      December 11, 2018 at 6:12 pm

      5 stars
      Oh, girl now these look good and that salsa is right up my alley too! Mexican fare is always so bright and fresh, a favorite here too. Thanks for the great idea! ☺️

      Reply
      • everydaylatina

        December 13, 2018 at 12:51 pm

        You will love these, especially with the salsa. It is a must, and it makes a good amount so you can have salsa to use for other dishes.

        Reply
    7. Kelli Smith

      December 11, 2018 at 5:20 pm

      5 stars
      This looks amazing! I love your blog and your recipes for healthy Mexican food. I'll be trying these out this week!

      Reply
      • everydaylatina

        December 13, 2018 at 9:14 am

        Oh good, let me know how you like them. I just had them again last night and that crispiness really is a game changer.

        Reply
    8. Tracy Foster

      December 11, 2018 at 1:43 pm

      5 stars
      These look fantastic! I just printed the recipe. My Mom and oldest son are flying in for a couple weeks for Christmas. This will be a perfect recipe to try while they are here! Thank you.

      Reply
      • everydaylatina

        December 13, 2018 at 12:52 pm

        That's great! I hope you all love it.

        Reply
    9. Amy @ Orison Orchards

      December 04, 2018 at 8:53 pm

      These look amazing! Your pico and your creamy avocado tomatillo salsa sound to die for! Thanks for the awesome recipe!

      Reply
      • everydaylatina

        December 06, 2018 at 11:07 pm

        Thank you! I hope you try them out.

        Reply
    10. Lily

      December 04, 2018 at 6:03 pm

      5 stars
      You had me at slow cooker tacos! Putting the chicken in the broiler is genius! Making it crispy really adds nice textures to the meal. I’m always looking for good slow cooker recipes. Your pictures look soo delicious!

      Reply
      • everydaylatina

        December 06, 2018 at 11:17 pm

        Yes I agree. I like the taste of the chicken when it comes out of the slow cooker, but putting it under the broiler adds such a great texture.

        Reply
    11. jenna | the urben life

      December 04, 2018 at 4:40 pm

      These look awesome and perfect for Taco Tuesday!! I need to try that creamy tomatillo avocado salsa 🙂 YUM!

      Reply
      • everydaylatina

        December 06, 2018 at 11:08 pm

        The salsa is so good and would go great with so many different types of tacos.

        Reply
    12. Ina @ Crafty For Home

      December 04, 2018 at 12:23 pm

      5 stars
      Slow cooker chicken always the best texture when shred it. And it is spicy food, my kind of meal.

      Reply
      • everydaylatina

        December 04, 2018 at 1:30 pm

        I know, I love how tender chicken comes out of the slow cooker.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Gemma! I am originally from Mexico and the recipe developer, writer, and food photographer behind Everyday Latina. Here you will find traditional Mexican cuisine and a focus on clean, healthy ingredients. 

    More About Me →

    Trending Recipes

    • Two gluten-free empanadas de sardina on a plate with cilantro and jalapeño slices beside them.
      Gluten-Free Empanadas de Sardina
    • Frijoles Refritos (Mexican Refried Beans)
    • Guajillo enchilada sauce in a saucepan
      Guajillo Enchilada Sauce
    • Three tacos dorados de pollo on a brown Mexican plate topped with garnishes
      Tacos Dorados de Pollo (Crispy Chicken Tacos)

    Summer Recipes

    • Shrimp Ceviche in a brown bowl with a lime.
      Mexican Shrimp Ceviche
    • Three clear glasses of Agua De Sandia with water slices besides them.
      Agua De Sandia
    • Grilled Rajas con Papas #grilledrajasconpapas #rajasconpapas #papasconrajas #mexicanfood
      Grilled Rajas con Papas
    • Spicy pineapple-jalapeño salsa #pineapplesalsa
      Spicy Pineapple-Jalapeño Salsa

    Follow Me

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Disclosure and Privacy

    Newsletter

    Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • TikTok

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Everyday Latina