Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Chili

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Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Chili is the answer to “what’s for dinner?” With an abundance of tex mex spices and tender chicken, this tasty chili is going to be hit in your home. I know it!

Love chili? Be sure to try our classic slow cooker taco chili (made with beef)! Or this vegetarian chili recipe is a reader favorite.

Chicken taco chili in a white bowl garnished with cheese, avocado, and sour cream.
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Why this Recipe is Best

Here’s what I love about cooking in the crockpot: I can toss is a bunch of ingredients, and there’s a 90% chance it’s going to taste amazing.

Partly because I haven’t had to slave in the kitchen (easy food tastes better, it’s a fact), and partly because chili and soup in the crockpot is always amazing.

  • The slow cooker is ideal for these kinds of recipes because the longer cooking time means all the flavors have a chance to mingle, meld and marry.
  • That’s the key to amazing food in the crockpot: YOU HAVE TO SEASON IT. You can’t just toss in meat and veggies and expect delicious food.

And speaking of seasoning, have you all started making your own taco seasoning yet? No? You should. It’s so easy. Keep a small mason jar in your cabinet at all times people. ALL TIMES.

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients needed to make taco chili in the slow cooker.

This chili recipe calls for very few ingredients in proportion to the incredible flavor it delivers, compared to many similar taco chili recipes.

They’re also ingredients you’re likely to have on hand in your pantry and fridge already:

  • Chicken breast– can also use chicken thighs
  • Jarred Salsa
  • Canned Beans 
  • Tomato Sauce
  • Sweet Corn
  • Taco Seasoning
  • Optional toppings: sour cream, plain Greek yogurt, guacamole, shredded cheese, tortilla chips

Because it used all shelf-stable ingredients (minus the chicken), it’s a fantastic choice for winter when fresh seasonal produce is harder to come by.

How to Make Chicken Taco Chili

Step by step photos showing how to make taco chili in the slow cooker.

Writing out directions for making slow cooker chili almost feels laughable because it’s just so easy!

STEP 1. Put all ingredients in your slow cooker. Cook for six hours on low.

STEP 2. Shred the cooked chicken with a fork and serve!

That’s it. Truly. I can’t emphasize enough how nice it is to not have to chop, dice or sautee anything and still have a homemade bowl of delicious warming chili at the end of the day.

Slow Cooker Chili is easier than grabbing take out or fast food and so much more nourishing, too! I love the way the spices make my kitchen smell while this dish is cooking. By the time dinnertime arrives, we’re all anxiously awaiting diving into a hot bowl of taco chili.

I’ve also left this chili in the slow cooker for as many as 8 hours while out and about and it’s been great!

Chicken taco chili in a white bowl.

What should I serve with taco chili?

Most of the time I’ve made Chicken Taco Chili for dinner, I’ve served it with a batch of corn muffins and a simple side salad. It’s also heavenly with this Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread and Instant Pot Cornbread.

To really emphasize the “taco” in “Taco Chili”, serve this with crunchy corn tortilla chips on top! I also like to put diced avocado and a little shredded cheese on each bowl.

A few more fun topping ideas for Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Chili: 

  • Diced fresh or pickled jalapeños
  • Minced red onion
  • Fritos
  • Pico de Gallo
  • Cojita cheese
  • Guacamole
  • Taco sauce or hot sauce

If you’re making the chili in advance, be sure to wait until serving to add your toppings!

Taco chili with chicken in a bowl with garnishes.

Tips and Tricks

  • Salsa: Use a salsa you love! Most of the heat in this recipe comes from the jarred salsa. If you’re cooking for kids or folks who are sensitive to heat, start with a mild to medium salsa and adjust the other spices accordingly. I recommend a thick and chunky salsa style–the chunks of tomato and onion add so much to this chili!
  • Beans: I used black beans and red kidney beans for our taco chili because that’s what I had on hand. Pinto beans would be a delicious substitute for either one, or you could use all black or all red beans. I drained the black beans but didn’t drain the red beans, as I like the thickness and saltiness it adds to the finished chili.
  • Tomato sauce: Use a canned, unseasoned tomato sauce for this recipe. I almost always keep a few jars ready in the pantry for use in all kinds of recipes, including this chili.
  • Storing the chili: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. It also freezes well!
  • Mango Guacamole: add a dollop to the top for a delicious, cool burst of flavor!

More Easy Dinner Recipes:

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Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Chili

5 from 3 votes
By: Aimee
Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Chili is the answer to "what's for dinner?" With an abundance of tex mex spices and tender chicken, this tasty chili is going to be hit in your home. I know it!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients 

  • 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds)
  • 1 can sweet corn, don't drain 15.25 ounce
  • 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained 15 ounce
  • 1 can dark red kidney beans, don't drain 15 ounce
  • 1 can tomato sauce 15 ounce
  • 1 cup salsa I used a thick and chunky style
  • 3 Tablespoons taco seasoning
  • garnish with plain greek yogurt, shredded colby jack cheese and diced avocado
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Instructions 

  • In a large crockpot, add chicken, corn, black beans, kidney beans, tomato sauce, salsa and taco seasoning.
  • Heat for at least 6 hours on low. Before serving, use two forks to shred chicken.
  • To serve, top with shredded cheese, plain greek yogurt and some diced avocado. Serve with a salad and corn muffins! ENJOY

Notes

  • Salsa: Use a salsa you love! Most of the heat in this recipe comes from the jarred salsa. If you’re cooking for kids or folks who are sensitive to heat, start with a mild to medium salsa and adjust the other spices accordingly. I recommend a thick and chunky salsa style–the chunks of tomato and onion add so much to this chili!
  • Beans: I used black beans and red kidney beans for our taco chili because that’s what I had on hand. Pinto beans would be a delicious substitute for either one, or you could use all black or all red beans. I drained the black beans but didn’t drain the red beans, as I like the thickness and saltiness it adds to the finished chili.
  • Tomato sauce: Use a canned, unseasoned tomato sauce for this recipe. I almost always keep a few jars ready in the pantry for use in all kinds of recipes, including this chili.
  • Storing the chili: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. It also freezes well!

Nutrition

Calories: 397kcal, Carbohydrates: 28g, Protein: 39g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 88mg, Sodium: 748mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugar: 8g
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!
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About Aimee

Aimee is a dessert lover (specifically rice krispie treats), workout enthusiast, self-taught foodie, and recipe creator.

Learn more about Aimee.

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Posted on December 4, 2021

Comments & Reviews

  1. This chilli is ticking all the flavour boxes for me! LOVE the fact it’s cooked in a slow cooker- a great quick dinner recipe if I’m working late! 😀 Cannot wait to try this out!

  2. I love quick and painless dinner ideas!!! Your crock pot chili sounds very similar to mine…which reminds me I have never shared. I guess I should get on that since I’m doing more meals huh? Anyway, back to your chili…it looks and sounds amazing! I love the chicken in it!!!

  3. I’m totally loving this recipe! Never apologize for chili… you can NEVER have too much, especially when it’s this chilly outside 🙂

  4. It’s so funny – we’ve been on a major soup kick lately from all this cold weather!! And you know I’m obsessed with my slow cooker. Thanks for the green beans and beef love! xo

  5. I love to use my crockpot but I seriously do not use it enough! This chili looks amazing!

  6. Looks delicious! We are on a soup and stew kick right now with all this cold weather. Can’t wait to try this!

  7. Yum! Looks so delicious! I love making chili – and all kinds of dishes in my slow cooker! Love that slow cooker!!!

  8. Everything about this chili screams yes! Slow cooker, taco, and chili. This would be fabulous for dinner tonight!

  9. It’s 30 degrees in CLE today and it feels like a heat wave! I think I’d still fill my slow cooker with chili though. You can never go wrong with chili and this chicken taco version sounds amazing!

    1. We had weather in the 40’s this weekend and it was “no coats” kind of weather. so crazy, LOL

  10. Chili in the crock pot is one of our all time favorites! A perfect weeknight meal! Stay warm 🙂

5 from 3 votes

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