Slow cooker Rotel tacos with shredded breasts are a cheap and easy meal that is healthy too. You can throw in in the morning with pantry ingredients and let it go until tender. Use fresh meat or Crockpot Frozen Chicken works just as well and turns out just as delicious.
Tacos with Rotel are simple. You could do the same thing in a pot on your stove too bubbling and breaking down until fork tender. Make in bulk for a large crowd for taco Tuesdays and you’ll be the hit of the party. Just one of our many Crockpot recipes on our site.
Now you could make this faster by following our Ninja Foodi Shredded Chicken directions and timing but with this sauce vs. just broth. WAY faster but many times low and slow is the way to go. Throw it in in the morning and it will be ready for an early dinner. If you aren’t ready after 6ish hours just keep it on low until you’re ready.
Now this is very similar to our Salsa Chicken Crockpot where you use a can or jar of diced tomatoes with other spicier ingredients. Makes it easier since it is like a dump and go style one pot meal. Breasts work great but if you love thighs better than go with those.
Let’s talk a little bit about slow cooking shall we?? First off I have a few different varieties and I love them all. Each one has an occasion to be used like….
- This is my favorite 6 quart programmable one with a locking lid so it’s great for bringing to a potluck too.
- I prefer not to use liners, but rather just spray olive oil inside before adding my food for easier cleanups.
Let me give you a peek of my pretty thang I bought recently. It goes with my kitchen so I can just leave it out on the countertop all the time. š
Personally we think that this is perfectly spicy for us. The Rotel mixture already has some green chilies and diced green peppers inside. If you wanted to add more spice you could. I like more Roasted Jalapenos to give it a deeper flavor or powdered peppers if all you have available are dried.
Rotel Tacos Ingredients
You are going to want to start out with a few pounds of medium sized chicken breasts boneless skinless is best so they break down easily to shred and are easier to serve when done.
Can you use thighs?
If slow cooker Mexican chicken thighs are your jam vs. white meat I get it. It took me a really long time to try them in a few dishes back in the day and I was a believer too. The reality is that I buy and cook with whatever is on sale my friends. Let’s be honest, groceries are expensive nowadays.
You only need one can rotel <—— buy it here, 10 oz or homemade linked in recipe card below
I like to add 1 packet store bought taco seasoning or you can certainly make this homemade
Adding a sliced or diced small onion is a nice touch for taste and texture for your end meal too. I always add minced garlic in everything around here nd chicken broth is better than water for flavor.
Variations
As for the meat you can use dark or light meat of course. With either it is much easier and the meat will cook more evenly if pieces are boneless.
If you wanted to make a spicy version use our Birria Taco Sauce to cook the meat in. Beyond this you will want tortillas. Small are great for tacos filled with all the fixings you love. Larger can be made into burritos with things like black beans, rice and toppings all wrapped up. Burrito bowls on top of a bed of rice are great.
How Long to Cook Rotel Tacos in Slow cooker
Prepare the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Place the breasts or Crockpot boneless skinless chicken thighs work really well too and take a bit less time to break down. Cook on the low until the chicken is tender and easily shreds with two forks (timing will depend on the thickness and whether they are bone-in) for about 5 hours.
For low carb you can certainly skip the wraps entirely and just enjoy as is in a bowl with shredded lettuce and other veggies on top. If you have leftover taco meat allow it to cool completely until at room temperature. Then store in freezer bags and in the fridge for 3 days, frozen for up to 3 months to use again.
Thereafter you can use it to make the same thing all over again reheated in a pot with a bit more broth to give it more moisture.
Slow Cooker Rotel Tacos Recipe
Equipment
- 1 slow cooker
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breasts, boneless skinless is best
- 1 can rotel, 10 oz
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 pinch salt, to taste at end
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Place the chicken breasts or thighs in the slow cooker. Sprinkle or pour the remaining ingredients over the chicken.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on the low setting for 4 to 6 hours or until the chicken is tender and easily shreds with two forks.
- Once the chicken is cooked, use two forks to shred it directly in the slow cooker. Stir into the sauce, allowing it to absorb the flavors
- Serve it inside warmed small tortillas with chopped cilantro, sour cream, slices of avocado and cheese.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Yes!! It is an easy way to add a lot of flavor actually, and a bit of heat if you like. Choose mild or spicy, pour in with some browned ground beef or cooked chicken, stir and allow to simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld. A great substitute for taco seasoning that is dry.
Absolutely, this is a great idea to add a lot more flavor to your protein. With the addition of diced chiles, onions and jalapenos gives life to your meat in a way you will use over and over again. There is enough liquid in 1-2 cans where you don’t need anything else other than this and your meat on low for 4-6 hours until it falls apart.
How long do I cook it on high??
I don’t love cooking on high but about 3 hours or until meat shreds easily