This copycat recipe for cafe rio crock pot chicken tacos makes super flavorful and easy tacos your family will love! A great no-prep crockpot dump recipe!
There are few things that I love as much as I LOVE tacos. A good shredded chicken taco really makes me happy. I searched for a long time to find a great recipe for tender and flavorful chicken meat for my tacos. When I first looked at the ingredient list I was beyond skeptical. They didn’t seem like ingredients I’d try to combine together to achieve a Mexican flavor chicken but I figured I’d give it a try! Thank heavens I did! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made this since it first went into my crockpot!
Well…guess what? I found THE recipe for me! It’s an amazingly delicious recipe for a Mexican-style chicken filling.
If you love tacos, I hope you’ll try my recipe for the best taco meat, turkey tacos, achiote roasted pork tacos (for the serious taco aficionados!), or our spaghetti tacos just for fun!
Cafe Rio Crock Pot Chicken Tacos Ingredients
- Chicken: I use boneless, skinless chicken breast
- Italian Dressing: Use your favorite brand.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic.
- Ranch dressing mix: The dry mix that comes from an envelope.
- Water: Straight from the tap.
- Chili Powder + Cumin + Smoked Paprika: Mix together for the perfect seasoning.
Recipe Notes For Cafe Rio Crock Pot Chicken Tacos:
- Crockpot: This is one of those wonderful recipes that essentially all you do is throw your ingredients in the Crock Pot and let it do its thing.
- You don’t have to brown the chicken ahead of time and there isn’t a bunch of ingredients to chop. NO, this delicious crock pot chicken is super delicious and super easy! My favorite combination for a weeknight meal 🙂
- Rest the Chicken: Don’t skip the last step of letting the chicken rest in the juices after you shred it or you won’t get the best results. The chicken absorbs a lot of flavor and moisture during this step.
- If by chance you happen to have any leftovers, actually it’s even better the day after you make it. Leftovers are the bomb!!!
How to Store and Make Ahead
- How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge? Leftovers can be kept in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Can You Freeze This? Yes, you can freeze the chicken tacos for 4 months.
- Make-Ahead Tips: This entire recipe can be made ahead a day before you’ll serve it.
- Food Safety: If you’d like more info on food safety check out this.
What To Serve with Tacos
We love these tacos served with Mexican rice, charro beans, Mexican corn salad, or our Mexican street corn casserole.
More Taco Recipes
- Taco Lasagna
- Taco Mac and Cheese
- Taco Spaghetti
- Steak Tacos
- Taco Pasta
- Taco Soup
- Taco Rice
- Taco Pasta Salad
Tried This Recipe?
Leave a review, I love hearing your feedback! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cafe Rio Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
- 4 large boneless chicken breast halves
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing
- 4 large cloves garlic minced
- 1 dry Ranch dressing mix
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 tablespoon dried chili powder
- 1/2 tablespoon dried ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried smoked paprika
Instructions
- Add the chicken to a crock pot.
- Combine the Italian dressing (1/2 cup), garlic (4 cloves), and a package of Ranch mix, water (1/2 cup), chili powder (1/2 tablespoon), cumin (1/2 tablespoon), and paprika (1 teaspoon) in a small bowl then pour over chicken.
- Cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 6 hours.
- Remove chicken from crock pot and shred.
- Add the shredded chicken to the crockpot and combine with the liquid left in the crockpot. Turn off and allow the chicken to rest in the liquid for about 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Now go make some delicious tacos... or burritos... or taco salad... or quesadillas... or whatever your little heart desires!
Notes
- Crockpot: This is one of those wonderful recipes that essentially all you do is throw your ingredients in the Crock Pot and let it do its thing.
- You don't have to brown the chicken ahead of time and there isn't a bunch of ingredients to chop. NO, this delicious crock pot chicken is super delicious and super easy! My favorite combination for a weeknight meal 🙂
- Rest the Chicken: Don't skip the last step of letting the chicken rest in the juices after you shred it or you won't get the best results. The chicken absorbs a lot of flavor and moisture during this step.
- If by chance you happen to have any leftovers, actually it's even better the day after you make it. Leftovers are the bomb!!!
Nutrition
Loved this recipe. So easy to come together and tasted wonderful.
Thank you, Elena! 🙂
I don’t know if I’m just sleepy or what, but I keep reading the recipe and can’t figure out when to add the water, chili powder, cumin, or paprika. Help! I already have chicken in a crockpot with the dressing, Ranch mix, and garlic.
Hi Staci! Add them together with the dressings and garlic in the crockpot. Sorry for the confusion!
OMG these are FAB!!!! ALL my kids loved them!! Thanks
I made these for a neighbor and I thought they were delicious. Thanks for sharing, I can’t wait to have more.
Yay! So glad you liked them 😉