Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos are juicy and tangy with fresh cranberries, apples and rosemary, and topped with a sweet and spicy cranberry salsa. If you’re looking to change up your holiday menu, you’ll love these festive tacos! They come together easily in the crockpot and instant pot instructions are also included in the recipe.
This post was originally published in October 2017 and has been updated to include minor adjustments to the recipe, as well as new text and photos. (An original photo is included at the end of this post, so be sure to check out the before and after).
These slow cooker chicken tacos with apples and cranberries are a Christmas tradition in our house. It might sound a bit strange, but we started a holiday taco night a few years ago, and it was a hit with my husband’s family, so we do it every year now.
We still get our fill of turkey, ham and cranberry sauce, but tacos are a great way to change things up from the normal holiday menu. They’re easy to pull together and perfect to feed a crowd.
In addition to these apple cranberry chicken tacos, we also make pulled pork and spicy ground turkey tacos. With those options, along with some chips, salsa, guacamole, rice and a green salad, there’s something for everyone.
What you’ll need to make these Crockpot Chicken Tacos:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh cranberries
- Granny Smith apple (chopped)
- Chicken broth
- Apple juice
- Apple cider vinegar
- Garlic
- Fresh rosemary
- Cranberry salsa (see below)
- Hard and/or soft shell tacos
- Other toppings of your choice
How to make these chicken tacos in the slow cooker:
- Step 1: Grease the inner container of your slow cooker with cooking spray and add the chicken. Drizzle on some oil and add the salt and pepper.
- Step 2: Add the remaining ingredients (not the salsa) to the slow cooker and cook on high for 3-3.5 hours or low for 6-7 hours.
- Step 3: Once cooked, remove what remains of the rosemary sprigs. The apple chunks and cranberries will be very soft and the chicken should be at an internal temperature of 165F.
- Step 4: Using two forks, shred the chicken along with the cranberries and apples. As you shred it all together, the chicken will absorb most of the remaining liquid in the slow cooker.
- Step 5: Set the oven to broil and using a slotted spoon, scoop the chicken out of the slow cooker (leaving the juices behind) and spread it out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Step 6: Broil the chicken for 5-10 minutes, or until the edges and tips are browned. Don’t broil for too long as the chicken will dry out. (If you prefer, you can skip this step. Just drain the chicken from the slow cooker and serve chicken as is. Just note the chicken will be very juicy).
Make the Spicy Cranberry Salsa:
While you can top your chicken tacos with a tomato-based salsa, guacamole or sour cream, I think they work best with a cranberry salsa. The heat from the jalapeños and tartness from the cranberries makes it the perfect topping for tangy tacos.
The recipe I’m sharing is adapted from Mel’s Kitchen Café’s recipe for Yummy Fresh Cranberry Salsa. I tweaked the recipe slightly, reducing some of the sweetness and increasing a few of the ingredients such as onions and peppers.
This salsa is super simple to make and can be made a few days in advance. It also makes a large batch so be sure to buy extra chips.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Fresh cranberries
- Granny Smith apple, chopped with skin on
- Jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped (for extra heat use the seeds)
- Red or green pepper, seeded and chopped
- Red or yellow onion, chopped
- Apple sauce
- Cilantro
- Cane sugar
- Lime juice
- Salt and pepper
While the chicken is cooking, add all of the salsa ingredients to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Don’t pulse too many times as the salsa will get watery. If you want a chunkier salsa, just pulse a few times. Store the salsa in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator until ready to use. It will keep for 4-5 days.
Can you make crockpot chicken tacos in advance?
Yes, you can make these tacos the day before you want to serve them. And you can do this in two ways:
- Once the chicken is cooked in the slow cooker, broil it as outlined above and then place in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, re-heat in the microwave.
- Or, when the chicken is cooked, shred it and place it in a large glass container with the juices and store in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, drain the juices and broil as outlined above.
Leftover chicken will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Can you freeze slow cooker chicken with cranberries and apples?
Absolutely. This recipe makes a large batch (enough for about 12-14 tacos), so I often freeze it in batches for quick and easy meal prep.
Before freezing the chicken, I recommend shredding it, draining the juices and broiling. Then transfer the chicken to an airtight glass dish to cool completely in the refrigerator. Once cooled, place the desired amount of chicken in a freezer safe container or resealable bag and place in the freezer. If stored properly, it should last in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When ready to enjoy, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then re-heat in the microwave.
Other tips and suggestions for making this slow cooker chicken taco recipe:
- You can slow cook the chicken in the crockpot for 3-3.5 hours on high or for 6-7 hours on low. Just make sure your chicken is at a safe internal temperature of 165F and shreds apart easily.
- Chicken shreds best when it is warm, so I wouldn’t recommend waiting for it to cool before shredding.
- I used a 6-quart slow cooker to allow the chicken to be arranged in a single layer. If you have a smaller slow cooker, you can half the recipe.
- This recipe can easily be made in the Instant Pot too. Just pressure cook for 15 minutes using a natural release. Further details are included in the recipe below.
Pin this Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Recipe to make for dinner tonight!
More ways to enjoy this apple cranberry chicken recipe:
- Pair some chicken with cranberry sauce and veggies for a hearty chicken sandwich or wrap.
- Add it to a veggie salad for some extra flavour and protein.
- Use it as a topping for your Friday night homemade pizza.
If you make these Slow Cooker Apple Cranberry Chicken Tacos, I would love to hear what you think in the comments below!
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Print
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos with Apples and Cranberries
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 12-14 tacos
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Description
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos are juicy and tangy with fresh cranberries, apples and rosemary, and topped with a sweet and spicy cranberry salsa. They come together easily in the crockpot or instant pot.
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 5 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (fresh or defrosted)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 Granny Smith apple, cored and chopped (skin on)
- 3/4 cup no-salt added chicken broth
- 1/3 cup pure apple juice (not from concentrate)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
For the cranberry salsa:
- 3 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 Granny Smith apple, cored and chopped (skin on)
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped (use the seeds for extra heat)
- 1 small red or green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 small red or yellow onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, stems removed
- 5 tablespoons cane sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 lime, juiced
For the tacos:
- 12–14 soft or hard taco shells
- additional toppings of choice
Instructions
Prepare chicken – slow cooker instructions:
- Grease the slow cooker insert with cooking spray and arrange the chicken in a single layer. Drizzle on the oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker and cook for 3-3.5 hours on high or 6-7 hours on low.
- Once cooked, remove what is left of the rosemary sprigs and use two forks to shred the chicken along with the cranberries and apples. The chicken should absorb most of the remaining liquid in the slow cooker.
- Set the oven to broil and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a slotted spoon, scoop the chicken out of the slow cooker (leaving any juices behind) and onto the baking sheet.
- Spread the chicken out and broil for 5-10 minutes, or until the edges and tips are browned. Don’t broil for too long as the chicken will dry out.
Prepare chicken – Instant Pot instructions:
- Grease the Instant Pot insert with cooking spray and arrange the chicken in a single layer. Drizzle on the oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the Instant Pot, lock the lid in place and turn the valve to seal. Pressure cook for 15 minutes and naturally release the pressure for 5 minutes.
- Once cooked, remove what is left of the rosemary sprigs and use two forks to shred the chicken along with the cranberries and apples. There may still be a lot of liquid left but that’s okay.
- Set the oven to broil and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a slotted spoon, scoop the chicken out of the Instant Pot (leaving juices behind) and onto the baking sheet.
- Spread the chicken out and broil for 5-10 minutes, or until the edges and tips are browned. Don’t broil for too long as the chicken will dry out.
Make cranberry salsa:
- While the chicken is cooking, add the salsa ingredients to a food processor and pulse until the ingredients are finely chopped. If you want chunkier salsa, just pulse it a few times. Store the salsa in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator until ready to use. It will keep for 4-5 days.
Notes
- I used a 6-quart slow cooker which was large enough for the chicken to be arranged in a single layer. If you have a smaller slow cooker, you can half the recipe.
- This recipe calls for no salt added chicken broth. If you use low sodium or regular chicken broth you may wish to reduce the amount of salt you add to the chicken.
The cranberry salsa recipe is adapted from Mel’s Kitchen Café.
This is really beautiful tacos, I like this holiday treats with cranberries and slow cooker chicken. Perfect to feed the crowd.
Thank you Swathi!
These are some beautiful tacos! And I love the idea of holiday tacos 🙂 So easy to do the chicken in the slow cooker, which is always helpful in the busy holiday season.
It’s a life saver when you have a million other things to do for the holidays! Thanks Jennifer!
When I read slow cooker tacos in my feed reader, I assumed it would be something spicy. I totally wasn’t expecting this recipe! What a delightful surprise. Herbs, fruit and a bit of spice. I want to make this now!
I hope you get a chance to make it. I’m happy I have leftovers for lunch today! Thanks Matt and happy weekend!
I love learning about family traditions. This is a very cool recipe idea. And I’m certain that it taste amazing. I’m looking forward to trying this out!
Thanks so much Tynia! I hope you enjoy it!
I LOVE tacos, and I’m so excited I now have an excuse to make them over the holidays! What a unique and delicious spin on chicken tacos…and the fact that they can be done in the slow cooker is even better.
Thanks Alyssa! I hope you get a chance to make them over the holidays!
Talk about festive tacos!!!! And super delicious!!
Thanks!
This is such a fun take on tacos, I’m dying to try the spicy cranberry salsa!
The salsa is a must! Thank you!
This is one of my favourite recipes of yours! I’m a huge taco fan and these are awesome.
The new pics look incredible
That’s so sweet of you Terry! Thanks so much!
Such a delicious idea, Leanne! I am all for tacos any day of the week and these sound divine. I love the idea of apple and cranberry!
Thanks Alexandra!
What a super fun tradition, Leanne! I personally love getting a break from the typical Holiday food…and tacos are totally my kind of food!! I love the festiveness of this taco…that apple and taco slaw looks so crunchy and delicious! I think I could easily down about 4 of these! LOL! Awesome recipe!
Thanks Haylie! It’s a tradition we’ve come to love! And it’s another excuse for me to make my favourite tacos!
Oh man… this cranberry chicken sounds like a winner, and I especially love the trick of broiling it for a few minutes to get crispy bits. (Aren’t those the best?) I can’t believe your husband didn’t want any part of that deliciousness!
I am loving the sounds of those tacos, but the flatbread sounds pretty amazing too. Guess there’s a double-batch of this in my very near future. 🙂
Thanks Isabelle! The crispy broiled bits are definitely my favourite part! I made a batch the other day, and used some to top my salads during the week. It’s a pretty versatile recipe. Hope you get to make a batch! Be sure to let me know what you think if you do!
Wow, what a spectacular recipe! I am definitely making this, it sounds sop delicious! And my hubby is not a fan of chicken tacos either so looking like I get to feast all by myself.
Have a fantastic weekend!
Thanks Redawna! I make a big batch of this chicken for myself sometimes and add it to salads and wraps. And it freezes well too for later use. Hope you get a chance to make them. Be sure to let me know if you do!
Love that cranberry salsa idea! Cranberry pairs just as well with chicken as it does with turkey! I’m a soft taco fan, but these would be terrific with either kind!
Thanks Elaine! Totally agree! I eat way more chicken than turkey, but always enjoy cranberries with both. The cranberry salsa definitely has a sweet and spicy kick, but its so good on these tacos, or with baked homemade tortilla chips!
I can’t pass up a good taco, and these ones have me drooling. I’m definitely more of a soft shell kinda girl, but my kids prefer hard shell, so I usually end up buying both. I love the idea of using this chicken mix on flatbread, too!
Thanks Natalie! I always have soft and hard shell tacos on hand too! And this chicken definitely goes with both. Thanks for stopping by!
These look and sound really good. Your pictures are awesome.
Thanks! I make these tacos all the time for my weekly meal prep. A batch of the slow cooker chicken goes a long way. Enjoy the rest of your week!
Soft shell, hard shell I don’t care. Just gimme all the tacos! These look AWESOME, Leanne!
Haha! Thanks Kelsie. There’s really no such thing as a bad taco, is there?
Luckily my husband and I agree on most food, which is (all) food! Haha. I love that these are slow-cooker friendly!! Congrats on the first taco recipe – I hope you’ll have more coming!!
Thanks Katherine! I love my slow cooker! If it makes meal time a little easier, I’m all over it! And I’m so envious that you and your husband agree on most foods! That would make meal time even easier in my house!
Wow, just wow. I’m drooling so much my keyboard is getting soaked! What a cool and unique taco recipe! I never thought to add cranberries to tacos, in any sort of way, but you nailed it! I’m pinning this for later 🙂
Thanks Christina! I’ve been a bit obsessed with cranberries lately, so I’ve been adding them to all sorts of recipes! If you give these tacos a try, let me know what you think!