Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos: The Easiest 4-Ingredient Recipe
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Are you ready for the easiest recipe you’ll ever make? These slow cooker shredded chicken tacos require just four ingredients (yes, that includes the tortillas!) and a mere minute of prep time. Seriously! The hands-on time for this recipe is less than 10 minutes. This is the perfect recipe for busy weeknights or when you just don’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen. Get ready to enjoy delicious, flavorful tacos with minimal effort!
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How to Make Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos
Honestly, it feels a bit silly even writing this section because it’s so straightforward. But for those who appreciate a step-by-step guide, here it is: Simply place your chicken breasts, taco seasoning (I highly recommend this brand for its amazing flavor), and your favorite salsa into your slow cooker. Cook on high for about 5 hours, or on low for about 7 hours. Keep in mind that every slow cooker varies, so your cooking time might differ slightly.
Once the chicken is cooked through and tender, it’s time to shred it. I absolutely swear by this tool for effortlessly shredding chicken. Say goodbye to struggling with two forks and hello to perfectly shredded chicken in seconds!
Now, heat up your favorite tortillas. My kids prefer flour tortillas, but corn tortillas work just as well. You can quickly heat them on a gas range for a few seconds per side, or in the microwave for a few seconds if you don’t have a gas range. The goal is to make them pliable and warm.
Finally, assemble your tacos with the shredded chicken and top with your favorite toppings. And with that, ¡Buen Provecho! Enjoy your delicious and incredibly easy slow cooker shredded chicken tacos!
Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Taco Toppings
The beauty of tacos lies in their versatility. You can go all out with elaborate toppings or keep it simple with just a few essentials. Honestly, the chicken itself is incredibly flavorful, so these tacos don’t need a ton of toppings to be absolutely delicious. Here are some of my favorite toppings:
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, or pepper jack are all great choices)
- Guacamole (or simply diced avocado)
- Diced tomatoes
- Shredded lettuce (for a little bit of health;) )
Don’t be afraid to experiment and find your own perfect combination of toppings! Other great additions include: pickled onions, fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime juice, or a dollop of your favorite hot sauce. The possibilities are endless!
Make a Freezer Meal
Did you know that you can easily transform this recipe into a freezer meal? It’s a fantastic way to prep ahead and have a delicious, home-cooked meal ready to go on those extra-busy days. I’ve included freezer instructions in the recipe card below, but here are a few extra tips to ensure freezer meal success:
- Use freezer-grade gallon-sized bags. Regular bags are more likely to rip or tear once frozen, which can lead to freezer burn and a mess. Investing in quality freezer bags is well worth it.
- Employ bag holders to simplify the filling process. These handy gadgets make it so much easier to pour ingredients into the bags without making a spill. You can find bag holders online or at most kitchen supply stores.
- No bag holders? No problem! Use a large drink pitcher. If you don’t have bag holders, simply place the bag inside a large drink pitcher to help it stand upright while you fill it.
- Clearly label each bag with essential information. Write the recipe name, the date you prepared it, cooking instructions (including time and temperature), any ingredients you need to add later, and serving suggestions. This will prevent you from pulling out a mystery meal with no clue how to prepare it!
- Thaw chicken recipes in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even thawing and helps prevent bacterial growth.
- If cooking from frozen, run the bag under hot water to loosen the contents. This makes it easier to pour the frozen food out of the bag and into your slow cooker.
- Always remove the food from the plastic bag before cooking! This might seem obvious, but I get asked about it all the time! Plastic bags are not meant to be heated and can leach harmful chemicals into your food.
- Freezer meals typically last for about 3 months in the freezer. Be sure to check the dates regularly to ensure optimal quality.
By following these tips, you can create delicious and convenient freezer meals that will save you time and effort in the long run.
More Taco Recipes
Tacos are a weekly staple in our household. While I love the idea of Taco Tuesdays, I often lose track of the days, so we end up having tacos whenever the mood strikes! Which is perfectly fine with me. If I could, I would happily eat tacos three or more times a week! Here are a few of my all-time favorite taco recipes that are frequently on rotation in my kitchen:
- Baked Chicken Tacos: These tacos are crispy, cheesy, and packed with flavor.
- Turkey and Rice Tacos: A healthier and budget-friendly alternative to ground beef tacos.
- Walking Tacos: (Okay, these technically aren’t tacos, but if you haven’t tried them, you absolutely need to! They’re a fun and portable twist on classic taco flavors.)
- Baked Turkey Tacos: Another delicious and easy baked taco recipe that’s perfect for a quick dinner.
Explore these recipes and discover your own taco favorites! Tacos are a versatile and satisfying meal that can be customized to suit any taste.
13 votes
Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos
Julia Pacheco
5
minutes
7
hours
7
hours
5
minutes
4
servings
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