Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos (Printable Version)
Tender spiced chicken slowly cooked to perfection, ready to pile into warm tortillas with all your favorite toppings.
# Ingredient List:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
→ Seasonings & Sauces
02 - 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
03 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
06 - 1 cup salsa (mild or spicy as desired)
07 - 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
08 - Juice of 1 lime
→ To Serve
09 - 12 corn or flour taco shells
10 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
11 - 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
12 - 1/2 cup sour cream
13 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
14 - 1/2 cup diced red onion
15 - 1 avocado, sliced
16 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
17 - Lime wedges
# Directions:
01 - Place the chicken breasts or thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker.
02 - Sprinkle the taco seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper evenly over the chicken.
03 - Pour the salsa and chicken broth (or water) over the top. Squeeze in the juice of one lime.
04 - Cover and cook on high for 4 hours, or on low for 7 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shreds.
05 - Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred thoroughly using two forks.
06 - Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir well to coat it in the sauce.
07 - Warm the taco shells according to package instructions.
08 - Fill each shell with the shredded chicken, then add lettuce, cheese, sour cream, tomatoes, red onion, avocado, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime as desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Set it and forget it convenience that delivers restaurant quality flavor with almost zero effort
- The chicken becomes impossibly tender and absorbs all those beautiful Mexican spices while you go about your day
02 -
- The chicken needs to be completely shreddable with zero resistance before you move on
- That final step of mixing shredded chicken back into the juices is what makes every bite incredible instead of dry
03 -
- Make double batch and freeze half for those nights when cooking is absolutely not happening
- A pinch of cayenne pepper takes it from family friendly to genuinely spicy without changing the method