Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Salad Recipe for Busy Weeknights

One of our favorite healthy, low-carb lunches is slow cooker chicken taco salad. It’s simple: add the ingredients to the slow cooker in the morning, then return later to a flavorful, ready-to-serve meal.

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Salad Recipe

This slow cooker chicken taco salad is low in carbs, packed with flavor, and incredibly versatile. The seasoned shredded chicken pairs perfectly with crisp lettuce and your favorite taco toppings. It’s a great option for meal prep because the chicken can be used in salads, tacos, tostadas, quesadillas, or even soups. The combination of spices and salsa-style tomato sauce creates a bright, satisfying base that’s easy to customize.

Video: Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Salad

Best Slow Cooker Chicken for Many Meals

This slow cooker chicken is one of the most useful recipes to keep on hand. Use it to build a healthy salad, or swap the lettuce for tortillas if you want tacos or quesadillas. Freeze portions for quick meals later, or add broth, vegetables, and corn or beans to turn it into a hearty Mexican-style soup such as tortilla soup or posole. The simple spice blend and savory tomato base make it easy to adapt to many dishes.

Can You Freeze The Chicken?

Yes. This recipe is excellent for meal planning. Allow the chicken to cool completely before packing it for the freezer, and be sure to include some of the sauce so the meat stays moist and flavorful when reheated.

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Salad

Yield:

6
servings

Prep Time:
15 mins

Cook Time:
6 hrs

Total Time:
6 hrs 15 mins

You can use one packet of taco seasoning if you prefer, but the homemade spice blend delivers deeper flavor.

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 2 pounds (907 g) chicken
• 1 cup (245 g) tomato sauce or salsa
• 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) Worcestershire or soy sauce
• 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) chili powder
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) onion powder
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt, or more to taste
• Fresh cracked black pepper to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) chipotle powder (optional, for heat)

For the Salad

• 6 cups (1.5 L) chopped lettuce

Optional Toppings

• Salsa
• Cheese
• Sliced avocado
• Lime wedges
• Hot sauce
• Sliced radishes
• Diced red onion
• Sour cream

Equipment

• Slow Cooker

Instructions

• Add the chicken and all chicken ingredients to the slow cooker: tomato sauce or salsa, Worcestershire (or soy sauce), chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional chipotle powder. Stir to combine so the spices are evenly distributed.
• Cook on low for 6–8 hours or on high for 4–5 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
• Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and cut into 1–2 inch pieces. Return the pieces to the slow cooker and use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces, mixing with the sauce.
• Taste and add more salt or pepper if needed.
• To serve, top the chopped lettuce with shredded chicken and your preferred toppings.

Video

Nutrition Information per Serving

Calories: 187kcal,
Carbohydrates: 6g,
Protein: 15g,
Fat: 11g
, Saturated Fat: 3 g, Cholesterol: 54 mg, Sodium: 544 mg, Potassium: 472 mg, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 3 g, Vitamin A: 4817 IU, Vitamin C: 7 mg, Calcium: 42 mg, Iron: 2 mg

Course: Main Course, Salad

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Calories: 187

For more low-carb and easy chicken ideas, search for other chicken recipes to expand your meal rotation and simplify weeknight cooking.