Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Tacos (Printable)

Slow-cooked chicken in bright salsa verde, served on warm tortillas with cilantro, red onion, avocado and lime.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken & Sauce

01 - 2 lbs (900 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
02 - 2 cups (475 ml) salsa verde (store-bought or homemade)
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ To Serve

09 - 12 small corn or flour tortillas
10 - 1/2 cup (50 g) fresh cilantro, chopped
11 - 1/2 cup (60 g) diced red onion
12 - 1 avocado, sliced
13 - 1/2 cup (120 ml) sour cream or Mexican crema
14 - 1 lime, cut into wedges

# How-To Steps:

01 - Place the chicken, salsa verde, chopped onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper into the slow cooker.
02 - Stir ingredients lightly to ensure the chicken is well coated.
03 - Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours, or until the chicken is very tender and shreds easily.
04 - Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the sauce and stir to combine.
05 - Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave.
06 - Spoon the salsa verde chicken onto each tortilla. Top with cilantro, diced red onion, avocado slices, and a drizzle of sour cream. Serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • You can have a fiesta on even the busiest weeknight without feeling frazzled.
  • The chicken comes out impossibly juicy every single time, and the leftovers are just as good as the first bite.
02 -
  • One time, in my rush, I cranked the slow cooker to high and the chicken turned out tough and dry—the lesson: low and slow really is everything here.
  • Testing with both breasts and thighs taught me that thighs resist drying out, making them almost foolproof for lazy Sunday suppers.
03 -
  • Sautéing the onion and garlic before slow cooking brings out a sweeter, deeper flavor—worth the extra pan, especially if you have time.
  • Lining the slow cooker with a disposable liner or parchment makes clean-up a breeze and lets you enjoy taco night without fuss.
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