The Easiest Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

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One of our favorite easy weeknight meals is definitely these slow cooker chicken fajitas. The Crock-Pot is such a versatile tool in the kitchen, and since this is one of those meals that everyone loves, it's the ideal combination. A few peppers, chicken breasts, seasoning, and just a few hours later you have a delicious meal that even the kids will devour.

square white bowl of shredded chicken on white table with smaller bowls of sour cream and guacamole

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Crock-Pot Chicken Fajitas
What Do I Serve with Fajitas?
Ingredients
Handy Kitchen Tools
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
Frequently Asked Questions
More Slow Cooker Recipes
📖 Recipe

Crock-Pot Chicken Fajitas

Chicken breasts are super versatile and this is one of those dishes that is universally pleasing. While we like to add in the bell peppers and onions, you can even serve this with just the chicken if your family isn't a fan of the extra vegetables.

If you like fajitas but want something that is ready in less time, then you might also enjoy this recipe for cheesy fajita stuffed chicken instead. Similar flavors, but prepared on the stove top instead of in the Crock-Pot.

shredded chicken in sauce with cilantro on top

What Do I Serve with Fajitas?

There are a few classic items that are served with fajitas. You probably are already thinking about your favorites. Below are some fajita topping ideas.

Corn or flour tortillas
Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
Guacamole or avocado slices
Salsa or hot sauces
Diced tomato, chopped lettuce, or jalapeno slices

And if you want to know hat to serve on the side or alongside these, then you might enjoy drizzling the top of them with this jalapeno dip instead of guacamole. Of course, a good queso dip like the one included with our fry bread tacos recipe is a great idea.

I also like serving these as part of a "Mexican feast" alongside the cheese antojitos or these delicious birria tacos.

table with bowl of shredded chicken tortillas salsa cheese and tortilla chips

Ingredients

½ red bell pepper
½ yellow bell pepper
½ green bell pepper
½ red onion
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
½ cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
2 cloves garlic

For Serving:

Flour tortillas or tortilla chips
Sour cream
Quacamole
Diced tomato or salsa

raw chicken on cutting board by bowl of peppers and flour tortillas

Handy Kitchen Tools

If you haven't invested in a slow cooker yet, then you might want to check out some of our favorites below. These are all great choices for a variety of budgets.

square white bowl of shredded chicken next to stack of tortillas on white table

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

Spray the slow cooker with non-stick spray or line with a slow cooker liner for easy cleanup. I prefer just spraying to help with cleanup, but both are good options.

Slice the bell peppers and onions, and mince the garlic. Remove any excess fat from the chicken breasts if needed.

Place the bell peppers and onions into the slow cooker, then top with the chicken breasts. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the top along with the minced garlic. Add the chicken broth and then cover.

raw chicken and peppers in white slow cooker

Cook the chicken on the low heat setting for 3 hours. Check to verify it has reached the standard 165° internally. If it is not done cooking, continue for an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour.

top of chicken with crust of seasoning over top in white slow cooker

Once the chicken is cooked through, use forks to shred the meat, then mix together with the juices and vegetables in the slow cooker.

chicken in slow cooker with liquid being shredded

Before serving, drain off most of the excess juices.

white slow cooker filled with shredded chicken in sauce

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Put Frozen Chicken in a Slow Cooker?

While it is a very common practice and many will argue this point, my answer is no, you should not put the frozen chicken into the slow cooker. I come to this conclusion because of the USDA food safety information. While it may turn out perfectly safe, there is a fine line where the chicken may be at an unsafe temperature for too long in the process of thawing. Err on the side of caution and always use thawed chicken when using a slow cooker.

How Long Should I Cook Chicken in the Slow Cooker?

This will depend upon what heat setting and the size of the chicken pieces. For whole chicken breasts such as used here, when using a low setting, I have seen chicken cooked in as little as 2 ½ hours. However, I typically recommend between 3 and 4 hours for the food to reach the appropriate temperature of 165° internally.

This time also really depends upon the thickness of the chicken breasts and how many other ingredients are in the slow cooker with the chicken.
When using chicken strips or chunks, you may find that you only need 1 ½ to 2 hours of cook time on low.

While these times may be sufficient, you can cook the chicken up to 5 hours on a low setting without it drying out too much. So, if you need a longer time for waiting to serve the food, that is also acceptable.

Can You Overcook Chicken in a Slow Cooker on Low?

Yes. As with any cooking method, overcooking can happen when a recipe is cooked for too long. It will result in dry or sometimes chewy meat textures, depending upon the cut.

While cooking all day in a slow cooker is a common method, when cooking with chicken I recommend following the shorter cook times and doing so only when you are home and able to remove the chicken once it is cooked through.

Is it Better to Cook Chicken on High or Low in a Slow Cooker?

Cooking chicken on low in the slow cooker is the best choice as it will allow the meat to cook evenly and stay tender. When cooking too hot and too fast, you end up with dried out or tough chicken.

square white bowls of shredded chicken sour cream and guacamole next to tortilla chips and tortillas

More Slow Cooker Recipes

If you love using your slow cooker as much as I do, you may be looking for more meal time inspiration. Below are some more of our favorite meals that are so easily prepared in the Crock-Pot. Make sure you bookmark the recipes, print them out to add to your recipe books, or pin them to a favorite Pinterest board.

📖 Recipe

Yield: 4

Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

Slow cooker chicken fajitas are an excellent weeknight meal that everyone enjoys! Chicken, bell pepper, onions, and tons of flavor in every bite!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 3 hours

Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

½ red bell pepper, sliced
½ yellow bell pepper, sliced
½ green bell pepper,sliced
½ red onion, sliced
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
½ cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

Prepare your vegetables then place them into the bottom of the slow cooker. Lay the chicken breasts on top of the vegetables, then cover with the taco seasoning, garlic, and broth.
Cook on low for 3 hours. Check to verify that the chicken has reached 165°F internally and is easy to shred. Add additional cooking time if needed.
Shred the meat, then drain most of the excess liquid from the meat before you serve with your favorite tortillas and fajita toppings.