Slow Cooker Queso Chicken Tacos – The Original Viral Recipe from Sweet Little Bluebird! Only 4 simple ingredients. Chicken breasts are slow cooked in taco seasoning, Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, then shredded and smothered in velvety, melty Mexican cheese. Serve this insanely delicious chicken in soft or hard shell tacos topped with your favorite taco toppings for an awesome meal the whole family will love.
Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken Tacos
Slow Cooker Quseo Chicken Tacos (The Original Recipe) – Taco night just got cheesy in the best way! These 4-ingredient Slow Cooker Queso Chicken Tacos are bursting with flavor and practically cook themselves. Juicy chicken, creamy queso sauce, taco seasoning, along with and a touch of spice from Rotel tomatoes and chilies will have your family asking for seconds (and thirds!) Plus, they’re super easy to customize with your favorite toppings – Taco Tuesday never looked so good!
More than just tacos! This chicken is perfect for burritos, wraps, and bowls too. Make it your own with your favorite toppings. It’s super easy to adjust and feeds a crowd, plus your slow cooker does all the work! Win-win!
Original post date, January 20, 2019 – Post Updated February 11, 2024
READ RAVE REVIEWS FROM PEOPLE WHO TRIED THIS RECIPE ON PINTEREST (PHOTOS)! Read More Reviews and even More Rave Reviews
Ingredients Needed to Make Crock Pot Queso Chicken Tacos
- boneless skinless chicken breasts,
- taco seasoning
- Rotel (tomatoes with diced green chiles) or salsa
- chicken broth (optional)
- diced green chiles (optional)
- jar of your favorite salsa con queso (or make homemade)
- taco shells and your favorite taco toppings
PLEASE NOTE: If you have limited supplies, you can omit the green chiles and the chicken broth, the chicken will still be tender, flavorful and delicious. If you do not have Rotel, you can substitute with salsa. This recipe is super easy to adapt!
The original recipe was updated with adaptions in 2020, when people were dealing with limited supplies. This recipe is very easy to adapt!
How to Make Queso Chicken Tacos
To make these awesome queso chicken tacos, lightly spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Place chicken in a single layer and sprinkle taco seasoning evenly on top. In a medium size bowl, add Rotel, green chiles (optional) and chicken broth (optional), mix well and pour over chicken.
Cook on high for 3–5 hours (adjust cooking time according to how fast/slow your cooker cooks – for some cookers, chicken may be done in 3–4 hours on high).
When ready, drain excess liquid leaving just a smidgen behind (I use a soup ladle), then shred chicken using two forks.
IMPORTANT STEP!! Be sure to remove the majority of the liquid BEFORE adding queso!! Leaving behind too much liquid will result is watery chicken.
Last, spoon queso on top and gently mix with chicken, coating chicken evenly. Cook on low for 20 minutes or until heated through. Serve with your favorite toppings, enjoy!
My daughter’s favorite for this recipe is white queso…so, so good. Be sure to use your favorite queso!
Frequently Asked Questions:
These tacos are great served with chips and salsa, Mexican corn cake, beans, cilantro lime rice, and more. Don’t forget margaritas!
Rotel is canned diced tomatoes with green chiles. You can use off brand diced tomatoes and green chiles. Salsa is a great substitute!
Yes, boneless skinless thighs work, but I think chicken breasts are best.
Use your favorite! This recipe is super easy to adapt to your taste, using your favorite taco seasoning and queso. You can also use homemade queso.
You can control the heat with the type of queso you use. If you like hot and spicy, use hot queso. If that’s not hot enough, add jalapeños and top tacos with hot sauce.
Want More Easy Mexican Recipes Like This One?
- Cornbread Taco Bake, from The Country Cook, is a must-have in the recipe box!
PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT A SPONSORED POST. I have no affiliation with any of the products shared in this post and recipe.
Slow Cooker Queso Chicken Tacos (Easy 4 Ingredient Recipe)
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 ounce packet of favorite taco seasoning or use homemade
- 1 can (10 ounces) Rotel (diced tomatoes and greed chiles) or use salsa
- ¾ cup salsa con queso (use your favorite or use homemade)
Optional Ingredients
- ½ cup chicken broth optional
- 1 can (4 ounces) mild diced green chiles optional
Making Tacos
- taco shells, soft or hard
- favorite taco toppings lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, hot sauce and more
Instructions
- Lightly spray slow-cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
- Place chicken in single layer and sprinkle chicken evenly with taco seasoning. In a medium size bowl add Rotel, green chiles and chicken broth and mix well. Pour evenly over chicken.
- Cook on low for *6 to 8 hours, or on high for *3 to 5 hours. Cooking times may vary depending on your slow cooker, adjust accordingly.
- When ready, drain excess liquids leaving just a smidgen behind (I use a soup ladle), then shred chicken using two forks. DRAIN WELL! IMPORTANT STEP!! Be sure to remove the majority of the liquid BEFORE adding queso!! Leaving behind too much liquid will result is watery chicken.
- Last, spoon queso on top and gently mix with chicken, coating chicken evenly. Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes or until heated through.
- Serve with tortillas (hard or soft shell) and your favorite taco toppings. Enjoy!
Notes
- Be sure to remove most of the liquid BEFORE adding the queso. There are lots of copycat recipes out there that do not remove the excess liquid before adding the queso, resulting in watery chicken.
- *Be sure to adjust cooking time according to how fast or slow your cooker cooks – for some slow cookers, cooking on high, chicken may be ready in 3–4 hours.
- The recipe only calls for 3/4 of a cup of Queso. Depending on the size jar you are using, you may have some leftover. Use the extra queso to top tacos or to dip tortilla chips.
- You can use original Rotel or Rotel hot (or hot salsa) – this recipe is super easy to adapt to your taste if you like things spicy/hot.
Fran
Hi, could this be cooked in the instant pot and if so how long?? Thanks 😊
Jamie
I was wondering the same thing! I imagine it wouldn’t be too much different if you were making plain shredded chicken.. so I’m guessing 11 minutes?
Brittany A Kearney
I make something very similar with mexican lime and cilantro rotel. Ive never thought to add the queso. My tacos are already a favorite so ill have to try this!!
Deidrah Shutt
This recipe is a definite keeper! Also, I kept the liquid I ladled off and used it to make leftover taco juice soup. I added some chicken broth, veggies and cubed chicken breast.I would have used leftover chicken from the recipe but there wasn’t any. It turned out great.
Ryleigh
Could you use canned shredded chicken instead.
Greg
I can’t find out how many servings this recipe makes?
Mary Neumann
Greg – this can serve 6-8 people depending on how large each serving is and if you do sides. It can go far with sides. I make this for our family of 4.
Mary Ellen
Looking forward to making this. Before making a recipe I always read the reviews. In many cases they aren’t reviews but comments/questions which is fine but, very irritating when the same question is asked over and over again and it’s been previously answered. I wish people would read before asking.
Mary Neumann
Hi Mary,
This post was just updated. I didn’t have a recipe card with all the information until this month. Hopefully my updated posts answers lots of questions. My Queso Chicken Taco Recipe went viral in 2020…people had a lot questions on social media and here.
Kayla McIntire
I am making this tonight. So far it’s delicious. I’m using the seasoned broth to make my rice. What do you usually do with the broth?
lydia
wondering if you have tried this in an instant pot and if so what adjustments, if any, did you make
Belinda
I used the instant pot, I cooked the chicken and taco seasoning for 13 minutes. Released the pressure and added everything but the queso. Cooked 3 more minutes. Drained some liquid off and added the queso. 🙂 it turned out great
Scott Tonn
Is this Keto friendly? I don’t see the nutritional info.
Kiki
I am confused by the word “Rotel”. Could you use a noun that is not a brand name so that I know what to look for in the grocery store? There is no “Rotel” in any grocery stores. Is this salsa? Tomatoes?
Mary Neumann
Here you go kiki, how to make Rotel (Tomatoes and Green Chilies,
Homemade Rotel: https://www.mommyskitchen.net/2014/09/diy-homemade-rotel-tomatoes-green.html
Bethany
Rotel = Diced tomatoes with green chilis … there is a diced tomatoes with cilantro lime as well.
Kristie
Tomatoes and diced chilies in a can
Shelby Stalans
Can you set it on a lower temp for longer time?? I work 9 hours everyday.
Kori
Can I use velveeta as cheese sauce or queso?
Autumn
If I use rotisserie chicken with this, would I still put chicken in the crock pot?
Melissa
The slow cooker Queso Chicken Tacos, why do you ladle some out? What is it used for? Or is it to drain some of the liquid?
Becca
What kind of taco shell is that pictured? It looks thicker then a flour or corn tortilla?
Mary Neumann
Flour tortillas, Becca.
Talyre
Is it ok to use frozen chicken breast ? Or how would that adjust the recipe ?
Egremillion
How to cook this/cooking time without using a slow cooker? Not wanting to use a slow cooker
J vass
Have you ever cooked this in a instant pot?
Mary Neumann
I’m pretty sure you can, others have made my slow cooker chicken tacos in Instant Pots – just be sure to drain the liquid at the end before adding the queso.
Michelle
My picky husband loves this recipe. I just add everything in the slow cooker (after putting the chicken in first) instead of mixing it in a bowl. I dont spray the slow cooker either nor do I drain the liquid, I just use tongs to pick up the chicken after shredding and let the juice drip back into the slow cooker. But my husband doesn’t have a set time when he gets home from work so he usually ends up eating a couple hours after the kids and I so it helps keep it juicy.
Kate
So I messed up making this and added everything to the slow cooker does anyone see it coming out bad? I still plan to drain it and add queso in the end
Renee
I accidentally did that too! Did yours turn out? Mines currently cooking! Hoping it does!
Lindsay
How many does this feed?
angie
Do you drain the Rotel or just dump juice and all even if it’s the original???
Mary Neumann
Lindsay – this can serve 6-8 people depending on how large each serving is and if you do sides. It can go far with sides. I make this for our family of 4.
Jim
What would you suggest for pressure cooker time? Any afjusments need to be made to ingredients?
Dianne
To make it vegetarian–do you think it would work with black beans instead of the chicken?
Marisol
Can you use frozen chicken breast or do they need to be thawed out
Mary Neumann
I always defrost my chicken first, Marisol. If you are using frozen bag chicken breasts, many have juice pumped into them, so it may be a little watery if you’re using that kind of chicken.
Tiffany
Could you use velvetta instead of queso.. I have everything else just trying to adjust and not go to store!
Mary Neumann
Yes – you can make your own queso with Velvetta, Tiffany. I added a link in the post.
Courtne
I just have a question, and it’s pretty lame: do you by any chance know the nutritional information for the finished chicken? Looking for low carb and aside from the shell, this seems like it would be a good one!
Carlee
I love tacos any old way, but that drizzle of queso is really making me want these. Yummmmmm!
Emma
How many does this serve?
Mary Neumann
Emma, this can serve 6-8 people depending on how large each serving is and if you do sides. It can go far with sides. I make this for our family of 4.