Slow Cooker Chicken Birria Tacos

Our Slow Cooker Birria Chicken Tacos are an easy birria taco recipe using a birria seasoning packet. These tacos are made with tender, flavorful shredded chicken, wrapped in warm street corn tortillas, and topped with your favorite fresh toppings such as avocado and cheese.

A tray with chicken birria tacos made in the slow cooker with a bowl of birria sauce on the side.

Try making Slow Cooker Birria Sliders, Chicken Tacos, Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup, or Buffalo Chicken Nachos for crowd-pleasing recipes. They’re just as flavorful and fun as these tacos.

Ingredients to List

Crockpot Chicken Birria tacos ingredients with text overlay.

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Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Chicken thighs are the best choice for this dish because they are so tender. You can use chicken breasts if that's what you have on hand.
yellow onion
Garlic cloves: If you do not have fresh cloves, use garlic powder.
Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
Fire-roasted tomatoes
Birria seasoning
Street taco tortillas
Shredded Mexican cheese: Use whatever type you have on hand. Examples are crumbled Cotija, Oaxaca cheese, or shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
Fresh cilantro, optional garnish
Lime wedges, optional garnish

How to make Slow Cooker Chicken Birria Tacos

This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are in the recipe card.

Chicken thighs in a slow cooker and a measuring cup with the ingredients to make a birria taco sauce.

Mix garlic, chipotle peppers, tomatoes, and birria seasoning until combined.

A slow cooker vessel with chicken thighs and a birria sauce.

Add chicken and onions to the slow cooker. Pour the sauce evenly over the top.

Shredded chicken in a slow cooker to make chicken birria tacos.

Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours. Shred the chicken.

A saute pan with a street taco topped with birria chicken.

Use a hot large skillet to sear the tacos.

A chicken birria taco dipped into the sauce.

Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips

Storage: Keep leftover birria chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Make ahead: Crockpot Birria Chicken Tacos can be made up to 3 days ahead or frozen in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Defrost the chicken overnight and reheat either in a slow cooker or oven.

Slow cooker chicken birria tacos on a tray with a dipping sauce in the background.

Eileen's Tips for Success

Heating tortillas in a skillet gives them a deliciously crispy texture and enhances the overall flavor of your tacos, so don't skip this step.
Shredding the chicken when it's still warm makes the process much easier and ensures even pieces for every taco.
Use small ramekins to serve the leftover cooking liquid as a dipping sauce for your tacos.

What is birria?

Birria is a traditional Mexican dish, originally from the state of Jalisco. It’s a slow-cooked stew typically made with goat, beef, or lamb, infused with a wonderful blend of dried chiles, spices, and herbs.

What does birria taste like?

Birria is rich, savory, and bursting with layers of smoky flavor, spicy, and slightly tangy flavors.

What to serve with Birria Chicken Tacos

More Mexican-Inspired Recipes

Slow-cooker Mexican-inspired dishes are always a favorite in our household. Not only are they easy to make, but they also pack a ton of flavor into every bite.

Enjoy all our Mexican-inspired recipes here.

Here are a few staple dishes from our meal rotation: