If you need a guaranteed recipe that will be loved by all, mango chicken tacos are THE only way to go. They are quick, healthy, SUPER tasty and foolproof. (Well, my Baked Burritos are similar and pretty awesome too.)

Chicken breasts cook low and slow in mango salsa until they shred easily, then get piled into golden, griddled tortillas with avocado, cherry tomatoes, black beans, spinach and cheese. The hardest part is putting the lid on the slow cooker.

The Best Chicken Mango Tacos (Slow Cooker Easy)

People rave about this recipe each time and make me feel like a celebrity chef! I really should feel guilty about all the praise, since the hardest part is putting the lid on the slow cooker. BUT who am I to correct someone when the juicy mango chicken DOES taste like I’ve slaved away for hours in the kitchen? #lovemyslowcooker

One weekend, my husband and I went shopping with our kids. The Nike Outlet had a 30% off coupon that could NOT be passed up. We spent too much time oohing and aahing over sale prices and needed to grab something to eat quick, since bedtime was rapidly approaching.

We quickly scanned the restaurant options and chose a random Mexican place. When I say it was the worst Mexican we’ve ever eaten, I seriously mean Taco Bell is gourmet compared to this place. From rubber tortillas to shredded chicken from a can and mystery guacamole, it was disgusting! When we left, I almost felt it my civic duty to camp outside and warn fellow innocent families. Well, I had to make these mango chicken tacos within a couple of days to remind us how great Mexican can taste.

Why You’ll Love These Mango Chicken Tacos

Hands off. The slow cooker turns chicken and mango salsa into tender, juicy shredded chicken.
Fresh toppings. Avocado, cherry tomatoes, black beans and spinach make every taco bright and filling.
Crowd pleasing. A foolproof recipe that people rave about every time.
Better tortillas. Raw tortillas cooked on a griddle are soft, golden and so much tastier.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Come close. Here is my secret to making each healthy recipe a yummy success: purchase quality ingredients! When you have quality ingredients, the flavors automatically make everything taste exceptional. Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.

Chicken breasts: Four large breasts. Thaw them in the fridge before they go in the slow cooker so they cook evenly and safely. They are done when they shred easily with a fork and reach 165°F.
Mango salsa: The only seasoning the chicken needs. It adds sweetness, tang and a little heat as it cooks down into a juicy sauce. Use your favorite jar, or make my homemade mango salsa.
Raw tortillas: It’s all about raw tortillas, just because raw is MUCH tastier. Look for them in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. I really like the brand TortillaLand. They cook up soft and slightly crisp with golden spots, nothing like rubbery store bought shells.
Avocados: Two ripe avocados, pitted and diced. They add a cool, creamy contrast to the warm chicken. A ripe avocado gives slightly when you press it gently. Dice them right before serving so they stay green.
Cherry tomatoes: Washed and halved. Quality cherry tomatoes are sweet and juicy and add a fresh pop to every bite. Look for firm, deeply colored tomatoes that smell like summer.
Black beans: One can, rinsed well. Rinsing removes the thick canning liquid and extra sodium. They add protein and fiber and make the tacos more filling.
Fresh spinach: A handful of tender leaves adds color and a little crunch in place of lettuce. Baby spinach is the most tender, and chopped romaine works if that is what you have.
Shredded cheese: We love Tillamook here! Cheddar or a Mexican blend both work. Shredding your own from a block melts more smoothly.

How to Make Mango Chicken Tacos

Add the chicken and salsa. Place the thawed chicken breasts in a large slow cooker and pour the mango salsa over the top.
Slow cook. Cook on HIGH for 6 hours or on LOW for 8 to 10 hours, until the chicken reaches 165°F and shreds easily with a fork. Shred it right in the slow cooker with two forks. The chicken should pull apart with almost no effort, and the salsa will have turned into a sweet, juicy sauce.
Let it soak. Allow the shredded chicken to stay in all the yummy juice so it soaks up as much flavor as possible.
Cook the tortillas. Heat a flat griddle pan over medium heat. Cook each raw tortilla for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until it puffs a little and turns golden brown in spots.
Drain the chicken. When serving, use a straining ladle or slotted spoon to drain the excess juice before scooping the chicken onto the tortillas, so the tacos don’t get soggy.
Build the tacos. Stuff each warm tortilla with chicken, avocado, tomatoes, black beans, spinach and cheese. Add the cheese while the chicken and tortillas are hot so it starts to melt.
Serve. Serve right away and enjoy the juice running down your chin and all over your fingers!

Kami’s tip: I purchase a large package of raw tortillas at Costco and freeze half of them. When you need them, thaw them in the fridge overnight and they’ll be ready to use in the morning.

Ways to Customize Mango Chicken Tacos

Make it a bowl. Skip the tortillas and pile the chicken over rice or greens with all the same toppings.
Add some heat. Choose a spicy mango salsa, or top the tacos with sliced jalapeños or hot sauce.
Swap the cheese. Crumbled cotija or queso fresco give a more traditional taco flavor.
Add a squeeze of lime. A little fresh lime juice over the top brightens the mango chicken even more.

Mango Chicken Tacos FAQs

Can I put frozen chicken in the slow cooker? It is best to thaw chicken in the fridge first. Frozen chicken can stay too long at unsafe temperatures in a slow cooker, so thaw it and cook it until it reaches 165°F.
How long does the chicken cook? About 6 hours on HIGH or 8 to 10 hours on LOW, until it shreds easily and reaches 165°F.
Why use raw tortillas? Raw is MUCH tastier. They cook fresh on the griddle in a couple of minutes and turn soft, flaky and golden, so they taste homemade.
Where do I find raw tortillas? Look in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. TortillaLand is a favorite brand, and Costco sells large packages.
How do I keep the tacos from getting soggy? Drain the chicken with a straining ladle before you scoop it onto the tortillas, and cook the tortillas until golden so they hold up.
Can I use chicken thighs? Yes. Boneless thighs stay extra juicy in the slow cooker. Cook them until they shred easily and reach 165°F.
Can I use store bought mango salsa? Yes. Any mango salsa you love works, or make it from scratch.
How long do leftovers keep? Store the shredded chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Keep the toppings separate and reheat the chicken until steaming hot.

Kitchen Tools for This Recipe

mango salsa chicken tacos - No Diets Allowed

Chicken Tacos with Mango Salsa

These chicken tacos with mango salsa start with chicken slow cooked in mango salsa until it shreds easily. Pile it into griddled raw tortillas with avocado, cherry tomatoes, black beans, spinach and cheese.

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Ingredients

4 large frozen organic chicken breasts
2 cups mango salsa
8 to 10 raw tortillas just because raw is MUCH tastier
2 ripe avocados pit removed and diced
2 cups cherry tomatoes washed and halved
1 can 15 oz organic black beans, rinsed well
Fresh spinach
2 cups shredded cheese we love Tillamook here!

Instructions

In a large slow cooker, add chicken breasts and salsa. Cook for 6 hours on HIGH or 8 to 10 hours on LOW until chicken shreds easily. Allow chicken to remain soaking in all the yummy juice. When serving, use a straining ladle to drain excess juice prior to scooping on tortilla.
On a flat griddle pan, cook raw tortillas over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes on each side until golden brown on each side.
Stuff your cooked tortilla with chicken, avocado, tomatoes, black beans, spinach, and cheese. Serve and enjoy the juice running down your chin and all over fingers!

Made these tacos? Leave a star rating in the recipe card and tell me how they turned out in the comments below. I love hearing how your family likes them.