Cilantro lime chicken crockpot tacos are full of simple, bright flavors: cilantro, lime juice, garlic and a touch of honey! No sauteeing required (just 15 min prep!), and easy to meal prep.
After updating these delicious Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs, these cilantro lime chicken crockpot tacos absolutely had to go on the menu next!
If you are looking for cilantro lime chicken that actually tastes like cilantro and lime…you have the right recipe!
While I love cilantro, I do not love soggy cilantro leaves. This recipe blends the cilantro into the cooking liquid before cooking, eliminating the soggy cilantro leave conundrum, and infusing the chicken with so. much. dang. flavor.
And? No sauteeing. Hallelujah! That means this can work as a freezer crockpot meal (find 7 more freezable Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes here!)
Reasons you’re going to ♡ these cilantro lime chicken crockpot tacos
- they taste like cilantro & lime but without the soggy cilantro leaf situation
- no sauteeing & 15 minutes prep
- you can assemble ahead and freeze OR cook ahead and freeze!
Recipe video
Watch the video below to see how this recipe comes together. It’s so easy! You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel.
Don’t forget to pin this post to save it for later!
No sautéing for easy prep
We are skipping the sautéing for this recipe for an easy ‘dump dinner’ (can we please find a better name for this?!). You can have your cilantro lime sauce and chicken into the slow cooker in just 15 minutes! This also means that we can assemble ahead and store in the fridge or freezer (more on this in the meal prep tips section below)
Optional add-ins
You can make this recipe a few different ways: just chicken, or chicken + corn + black beans + red onions. Totally up to you!
Adding in corn, beans and onions is a great way to bulk this meal out and make more servings while saving money.
Chicken shredding hack
I have been LOVING this ‘hack’ to shred your chicken quickly: transfer your cooked chicken to a clean bowl, then shred with an electric hand mixer. You can also use a paddle attachment in a stand mixer.
Assemble ahead for easy dinners
Freezer crockpot meals are a STAPLE in my house…try them and prepare to have your life changed by how easy they make dinner!
Here’s how you can turn this slow cooker cilantro lime chicken into a freezer pack:
- Assemble the chicken and all other ingredients in a gallon-sized freezer bag (update– we no longer use plastic bags, we use 1/2 gallon stasher bags or glass meal prep containers, our faves are the 3 quart glass containers from IKEA).
- Squeeze out as much air as possible.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
So incredibly simple! When you’re ready to cook, you will need to thaw completely before placing everything in the slow cooker and cooking on low for 4-5 hours.
What kind of chicken can I use in this recipe?
We make it with either boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs. Chicken thighs can cook a little longer (5-6 hrs) than chicken breasts (4 hrs).
Can I cook cilantro lime chicken in my Instant Pot?
I bet that would work (8 min high pressure + quick pressure release for chicken breasts, 10 min for thighs), though I haven’t tried. If you do try it, I’d love if you left a comment below!
Can I freeze the cooked cilantro lime chicken?
You sure can! Leftovers can be frozen for up to 3 months.
How to serve cilantro lime chicken
Well obviously tacos is one idea, but there are a bunch more ways you could use up your chicken:
- burrito bowls– serve with rice, lettuce, pico de gallo, avocado (see how to cut an avocado) and a dollop of sour cream
- taco salad– serve with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, tortilla chips and salsa
- rice– I bet this coconut rice or this coconut cauliflower rice would go great!
- sweet potato– what about stuffing your sweet potato with cilantro lime chicken? Sounds good to me! See How to Bake Sweet Potatoes (with a trick to get super fluffy insides)
More freezer crockpot recipes
- Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
- Crockpot BBQ Chicken
- Crockpot Salsa Chicken
- Spicy Slow Cooker Chickpea Chili
- Crockpot Mexican Chicken Stew
This recipe was originally published in 2017! We have tweaked the recipe slightly and added a video in 2019…same great flavors but less liquid!
Cilantro Lime Chicken Crockpot Tacos
Ingredients
Sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
- zest of 1 limes
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup packed cilantro leaves
To serve (you will just need these ingredients the day you serve)
- Tortillas 2 small tortillas per person
- shredded cabbage
- radish slices
- greek yogurt
Instructions
- In the base of a 6 quart slow cooker, place the chicken breasts, corn and onion slices.
- Using a stand or immersion blender, blend the sauce ingredients and pour over slow cooker contents.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours, until chicken is cooked through.
- Serve in tortillas topped with yogurt, shredded cabbage and radish slices
To assemble and freeze:
- In a gallon sized freezer bag (see note), place the chicken breasts, corn and onion slices.
- Using a stand or immersion blender, blend the sauce ingredients and pour into the bag.
- Seal and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw completely and cook as directed above.
Tammy Hanson
Made this today and it was delicious. We like our food a little spicier so I will probably double the seasonings next time around. Increased the garlic this time but would have liked to have the cumin and coriander flavors come through a little stronger. Everyone agreed that the overall combination was fantastic.
Denise Bustard
Hi Tammy! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed! Thanks so much for coming back to leave a review, particularly with the notes about seasoning. That’s so helpful!
Sarah Beth
Thank you for this amazing recipe!! Made it today and it was DELICIOUS. I’m terrible at cooking but this was so healthy, tasty and easy to follow!
Denise
I’m so happy you enjoyed! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review <3
Liza
What is the serving size of the cooked chicken/onion/corn combo? A cup? I’m trying to measure my food. Thanks!
Denise
Hey Liza! I am strictly estimating here but I would say 1 cup would be about right. Usually 1/2 chicken breast is 1/2 cup and then whatever the corn + onions add to the bulk. Hope this helps and hope you enjoy!
Jodi
Do you think you could make this in a pressure cooker AKA instapot? if so any idea how long to cook? Also would you blend the liquids and add that with chicken?
Denise
Hi Jodi! I bet you could, though I haven’t tried. I would try for 8 min with a quick pressure release, and I would blend all the liquids. Hope you enjoy!
Vanessa
Hi!Can I put the crockpot on high if I have less time to make it?
Denise
Hi Vanessa! I think that would be OK, but be careful as chicken breasts can overcook in the slow cooker! I would cook on high for no more than 3 hours in my slow cooker (though mine definitely cooks ‘hot’).
STEVEN R RODRIGUEZ
It was a little unclear how much chicken breast to use. There is a slider that adjusts the recipe but the chicken always says 28 oz. Is the base recipe for about 28 oz of chicken or was I supposed to use giant chicken breasts each being 28 oz?
Denise
Hi Steven! Sorry for the confusion, each chicken breast is roughly 7 oz working out to 28 oz. Hope that makes sense!
Morgan
If I am halfing the recipe what should I cook it on in crockpot, thank you!
Denise
Hi Morgan! If you are halving the recipe I recommend using a smaller slow cooker like a 2.5 quart model. This one *may* be OK halved in a larger slow cooker (5 quart) but it might cook a lot faster due to low liquid in the pot. I would cook it on the lowest setting for 3-5 hours and keep an eye on it so it doesn’t over-reduce and burn. Hope you enjoy!
Brandy
Does the end product tend to be watery / juicy? I don’t mind a little juice but too much ruins the shells.
Thanks!
Denise
Hi Brandy! This recipe is a bit liquidy, but we scooped the chicken out before stuffing the tacos. If you are interested in a thicker sauce, you could try this one.
Nichole
This was so delicious! I’m going to make this a staple in our home. Everyone absolutely loved it! Even the picky toddlers!!
Denise
Yay! Picky toddlers are the toughest critics 😀 Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review, Nichole!
Rachael
I dread bringing meals to neighbors because I never know what to make! Pinning this to make the next time an occasion arises, although I think I may try it for my family too. Thanks Denise!
Denise
I hope you enjoy it Rachael!
Terry
Can’t find a Pin button!!
Denise
Hi Terry, I’m having some technical issues with my social sharing buttons at the moment. The pin it button is the green button above that says ‘b’. I have no idea why it says ‘b’, LOL, but I’m working on getting my share buttons fixed!