Description
Slow-simmered Mexican-style crockpot chicken tacos deliver bold, zesty flavors straight from authentic culinary traditions. Tender shredded chicken infused with spices promises a delicious meal that brings comfort and excitement to dinner tables.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Seasoning and Liquid:
- 1 packet (28 grams) taco seasoning
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) salsa
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth or water
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) chili powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) cumin
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) paprika
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) onion powder
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) oregano
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) salt
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 grams) black pepper
Additional Flavor:
- Juice of 1 lime
Optional Toppings:
- Shredded cheese
- Diced tomatoes
- Chopped lettuce
- Guacamole or sliced avocado
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Position plump chicken breasts at the base of the slow cooker, creating an even layer for optimal cooking.
- Generously dust the chicken with aromatic taco seasoning, complementing it with garlic and onion powders to enhance the flavor profile.
- Cascade vibrant salsa and rich chicken broth over the seasoned meat, ensuring complete coverage and moisture.
- Secure the crockpot lid and allow the chicken to gently simmer and tenderize, selecting either low temperature for 6-8 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours.
- Once the meat reaches a delicate, fall-apart consistency, utilize two forks to meticulously shred the chicken within the cooking liquid.
- Infuse the shredded meat with a bright burst of citrus by drizzling fresh lime juice, then carefully blend the chicken to absorb all surrounding seasonings.
- Perform a final flavor calibration by adjusting salt and pepper to your personal preference.
- Warm soft tortillas or crisp taco shells to create the perfect vessel for the succulent, flavor-packed chicken.
- Embellish with preferred garnishes such as fresh cilantro, diced onions, creamy avocado, or zesty salsa to complete the culinary experience.
Notes
- Swap chicken breasts with chicken thighs for richer, more tender meat that stays incredibly juicy during slow cooking.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium taco seasoning and choosing a salsa with minimal added salt for health-conscious cooks.
- Freeze leftover shredded chicken in portion-sized containers for quick meal prep, maintaining flavor and texture up to three months.
- Accommodate gluten-free diets by serving in corn tortillas or lettuce wraps instead of traditional flour tortillas for a lighter alternative.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (on low) or 3 hours (on high)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 100mg