Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos (Printable)
Tender spice-infused chicken ready to pile into taco shells with all your favorite garnishes.
# What You'll Need:
→ 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 - ½ tsp salt
05 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
06 - 1 cup salsa (mild or spicy as desired)
07 - ¼ 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 - ½ cup sour cream
13 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
14 - ½ cup diced red onion
15 - 1 avocado, sliced
16 - ¼ 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 Advice:
01 -
- The chicken literally falls apart when you touch it with a fork, meaning almost zero prep work
- Everything cooks in one vessel and the sauce becomes this incredible flavor base
- Leftovers somehow taste better the next day, if they last that long
02 -
- The chicken absorbs a lot of liquid while cooking, so do not worry if it looks a little dry at the start
- Letting the shredded chicken sit in the sauce for even 10 minutes before serving makes it infinitely better
03 -
- Use two forks to shred by pulling in opposite directions, it goes twice as fast as trying to cut the meat
- Warm your taco shells directly over the gas flame for 30 seconds if you want that slightly charred restaurant style finish