Pin It Tender, flavorful shredded chicken cooked in a slow cooker and served in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings—perfect for an easy and satisfying family meal.
This recipe has been a favorite in our household for quick weeknight dinners and family gatherings.
Ingredients
- Chicken: 1.5 lbs (700 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Sauce & Seasonings: 1 cup (240 ml) tomato salsa (mild or medium as preferred) 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Tacos: 12 small corn or flour tortillas warmed
- Optional Toppings: 1 cup (100 g) shredded lettuce 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheese (cheddar Monterey Jack or Mexican blend) ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream 1 avocado sliced ½ cup (80 g) diced tomatoes ¼ cup (15 g) chopped fresh cilantro Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Place the chicken breasts or thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Step 2:
- In a bowl mix together the salsa chili powder cumin smoked paprika garlic powder onion powder salt and pepper.
- Step 3:
- Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken ensuring all pieces are well-coated.
- Step 4:
- Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours until the chicken is tender and easily shredded.
- Step 5:
- Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the cooker stirring to combine with the sauce.
- Step 6:
- Warm the tortillas. Fill each with a generous portion of shredded chicken and your choice of toppings.
- Step 7:
- Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
Pin It This recipe brings my family together every time with its comforting flavors and easy preparation.
Required Tools
Slow cooker Mixing bowl Forks (for shredding) Knife and cutting board
Allergen Information
Contains Milk (if using cheese or sour cream) Wheat (if using flour tortillas) For gluten-free use corn tortillas and double-check labels on all packaged ingredients.
Nutritional Information
Per serving without toppings: Calories 210 Total Fat 5 g Carbohydrates 15 g Protein 25 g
Pin It
Enjoy these delicious tacos fresh and customize with your favorite toppings for the perfect meal every time.
Recipe FAQs
- → What cut of chicken works best for slow cooking?
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs both work well; thighs tend to stay more moist during longer cooking.
- → Can I adjust the spice level in the sauce?
Yes, use mild or medium salsa as preferred, or add cayenne pepper for extra heat.
- → How do I shred the chicken after cooking?
Remove cooked chicken and use two forks to pull apart the meat into fine, tender shreds.
- → What toppings complement this dish best?
Common toppings include shredded lettuce, cheese, diced tomatoes, avocado slices, sour cream, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges.
- → Can I prepare this dish gluten-free?
Yes, use corn tortillas and verify that all other ingredients are gluten-free.
- → How long should the chicken cook in the slow cooker?
Cook on low for about 6 hours or on high for approximately 4 hours until tender and easy to shred.