RP
RecipePoolDiscover your next favorite recipe
  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • Roundups
  • Meal Plans
  • Guides
  • About
Search
Browse
IngredientsCuisineDietMethodOccasion

Main Navigation

  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • Roundups
  • Meal Plans
  • Guides
  • About

Browse Faster

IngredientsCuisineDietMethodOccasion
Follow RecipePool on Pinterest
RecipePool

1,784+ tested recipes

Thoughtfully tested recipes, seasonal inspiration, and cooking guides to help you make something delicious every day.

Get weekly recipe inspiration

Explore

  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • Roundups
  • Seasonal
  • Products
  • Meal Plans
  • Guides
  • Ingredients

Browse By

  • Cuisine
  • Diet
  • Method
  • Occasion

Company

  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Policy
  • Recipe Testing
  • Privacy
  • Terms

© 2026 RecipePool. All rights reserved.

HomeSearchCollectionsSaved
  1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Slow Cooker Meal Prep
Slow cooker shredded chicken with salsa verde in meal prep containers

Set-and-forget shredded chicken tacos for the week

Slow Cooker Meal Prep

Slow Cooker Meal Prep

6h 5mEasy

Prep Time

5 min

Cook Time

6 hr

Total Time

6 hr 5 min

Servings

8

8 servings

Difficulty

Easy

Cost

Budget

$

Be the first to rate this recipe
Share

Slow Cooker Meal Prep

Set-and-forget shredded chicken tacos for the week

Tender shredded chicken slow-cooked with salsa verde, cumin, and lime until fall-apart tender. Use for tacos, bowls, salads, or quesadillas throughout the week.

5m

Prep Time

360m

Cook Time

365m

Total Time

8

Servings

Easy

Difficulty

Budget $

Cost

Mexican CuisineMain CourseGluten-FreeDairy-Free
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

January 6, 2025(Updated April 12, 2026)

The slow cooker is the ultimate meal-prep tool—dump everything in, walk away, and come back to perfectly tender shredded chicken. One batch becomes the protein base for five different meals.

Why This Recipe Works

Low and slow cooking breaks down connective tissue in the chicken, creating incredibly tender, shreddable meat. The salsa verde infuses flavor throughout without any marinating time.

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 cups salsa verde (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 tbsp cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp chili powder
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • Salt and pepper
  • Tortillas, rice, lettuce, and your favorite toppings for serving
PrecisionUtility

Test Kitchen Pick

Slow Cooker

Helpful Tool

Why a slow cooker helps here

This dish is mostly about giving the ingredients enough time. A dependable slow cooker makes that hands-off part much easier to repeat.

The easiest win here is steady low heat without needing to hover over the pot.

  • Keeps cooking low and steady
  • Makes prep-ahead dinners easier

If you like batch cooking or low-effort dinners, this is one of the most reusable tools you can buy.

Shop slow cooker options for this recipe

Instructions

  1. 1

    Place chicken thighs in the slow cooker and season with cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper.

  2. 2

    Pour salsa verde over the chicken, ensuring it is mostly covered.

  3. 3

    Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until chicken shreds easily.

  4. 4

    Shred chicken with two forks directly in the slow cooker; stir to coat in the sauce.

  5. 5

    Portion shredded chicken into containers; use throughout the week for tacos, bowls, salads, and wraps.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve with warm corn tortillas and fresh lime wedges

  • Top with crumbled queso fresco and sliced avocado

  • Pair with a side of Mexican rice and refried beans

Substitutions

Chicken thighsPork shoulder for carnitas-style

Cook pork 8-10 hours on low for pull-apart tender

Salsa verdeRed salsa, enchilada sauce, or BBQ sauce

Each creates a completely different flavor profile

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Resist the urge to lift the lid—each peek adds 15-30 minutes to the cooking time.

  • The cooking liquid is liquid gold—store the chicken in it to keep the meat incredibly moist.

Storage

Refrigerate in the cooking liquid for up to 5 days. Freeze portions for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Microwave with some of the cooking liquid for 90 seconds.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (110mg) · 8 servings

Calories260
LowModerateHigh

A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein6g
Carbohydrates4g
Fat38g
Fiber520mg
Sugar1g
Sodium2g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken breast?
Yes, but thighs are more forgiving and stay juicier in the slow cooker.
What else can I do with this chicken?
Tacos, burritos, enchiladas, nachos, soups, salads—it is endlessly versatile.

Explore More

More Mexican RecipesMore Main CourseGluten-Free RecipesDairy-Free RecipesSlow Cooker Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

View all recipes →

Some product links on this page may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate RecipePool earns from qualifying purchases.

Related Recipes

Five colorful mason jar salads showing layered ingredients through glass

Mason Jar Salad

25 min

Golden homemade chicken nuggets on a plate with dipping sauces

Homemade Chicken Nuggets

33 min

Crispy baked fish sticks arranged on a plate with tartar sauce

Homemade Fish Sticks

30 min

Baked pasta meal prep with Italian sausage, peppers, and melted cheese

Pasta Meal Prep

40 min

Colorful sheet pan roasted vegetables with hummus and grains

Roasted Vegetable Meal Prep

40 min

Sheet pan chicken with roasted potatoes and green beans on parchment

Sheet Pan Chicken Meal Prep

45 min

You Might Also Like

Five colorful mason jar salads showing layered ingredients through glass
Gluten-Free
Easy

Mason Jar Salad

25 min5 servings
View Recipe

Mason Jar Salad

25 min•Easy
Golden homemade chicken nuggets on a plate with dipping sauces
Easy

Homemade Chicken Nuggets

33 min6 servings
View Recipe

Homemade Chicken Nuggets

33 min•Easy
Crispy baked fish sticks arranged on a plate with tartar sauce
Easy

Homemade Fish Sticks

30 min6 servings
View Recipe

Homemade Fish Sticks

30 min•Easy
Baked pasta meal prep with Italian sausage, peppers, and melted cheese
Easy

Italian

Pasta Meal Prep

40 min6 servings
View Recipe

Pasta Meal Prep

40 min•Easy
Colorful sheet pan roasted vegetables with hummus and grains
VeganGluten-Free
Easy

Mediterranean

Roasted Vegetable Meal Prep

40 min5 servings
View Recipe

Roasted Vegetable Meal Prep

40 min•Easy
Sheet pan chicken with roasted potatoes and green beans on parchment
Gluten-FreeDairy-Free
Easy

Sheet Pan Chicken Meal Prep

45 min4 servings
View Recipe

Sheet Pan Chicken Meal Prep

45 min•Easy
See more Mexican recipes →