This is probably one of the easiest shredded chicken taco recipes you will ever make and it’s so delicious! It’ll take you all of 5 minutes to throw just 3 ingredients in the slow cooker or Instant Pot and you’ve got dinner cooking. These super flavorful chicken tacos are great for a crowd with easy prep and serving right out of the warm pot. You can also make your next Taco Tuesday night dinner a breeze with this really easy recipe. Your Instant Pot will save the day and you’ll have dinner ready in about 30 minutes.
Versatile Chicken Tacos
You can turn these into whatever type of chicken taco you like. Go simple and just add lettuce, tomato and a little dollop of real sour cream and or get fancy and add some avocado, cotija cheese and whole cilantro leaves for a fresh taste or some guacamole. We also love to drizzle our sriracha sauce on these tacos sometimes as well.
Shredded Chicken Taco Leftovers
If you’ve got tortillas and shredded chicken left over from making these the night before and need an easy lunch or dinner the next day, use the leftover chicken to make some taquitos (with corn tortillas, flautas (with flour tortillas), tostadas, burrito bowls or quesadillas.
Our kids love this chicken made into taquitos with just a little shredded cheese. Warm tortillas slightly wrapped in a wet paper towel. Warm enough chicken for a little filling in each and add some shredded cheese. Roll the tortillas up and place them on a greased sheet pan, seam down. Spray the top of the taquitos with a light coating of olive or avocado oil. You can sprinkle a little cheese on top to melt if you like. Bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes (or till cheese melted or bubbling, stating to brown or how you like it) and you’ve got a quick dinner.
If you need a low carb option, make yourself a taco salad with the leftovers and add some black beans and/or avocado for extra fiber and protein! Or enjoy the chicken in lettuce cups for a super healthy snack or meal.
Crockpot Chicken Tacos
The beauty of the crockpot aka slow cooker is you can add it and forget it…well, till that timer goes off. Add your ingredients to the slow cooker before you leave for work and then it’s ready to shred for the easiest delicious dinner! If you get off work early and forgot to set it, you can have the chicken ready with minimal effort in just 3 hours cooking on high.
Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
If you blanked and didn’t have dinner planned ahead of time, pressure cooking will save the day! Add the 3 ingredients to the pressure cooker/ Instant Pot and the chicken cooks in about 20 minutes total (including pressurizing time). You’ll have super easy chicken tacos ready in no time.
Serving the Tacos
For the best chicken tacos be sure to warm whatever tortillas you plan on serving 1st. You can warm the tortillas in a skillet or just in the microwave. If you don’t have a tortilla holder, wrap them in some paper towels with a few drops of water before warming them in the microwave.
Tortillas to Serve
This is a personal preference; corn or flour? Weather you need gluten free or really want those soft pliable flour tortillas this chicken will accommodate any of those tortilla options. The shredded chicken is also great in hard taco shells for a change from ground beef tacos.
Topping Options
- La Crema– My family is obsessed with la crema, the Mexican sour cream, especially the squeezable version. A squirt of that is a delicious alternative to standard sour cream.
- Pico de gallo– A fresh pico is always nice with most any chicken tacos.
- Salsa Verde– We always love adding our homemade salsa verde to any tacos when we have some of that on hand.
- Hot Sauce– Grab your favorite hot sauce if you want to spice up your tacos more.
Shredded Chicken Taco Ingredients
- Chicken– I use boneless skinless chicken thighs or boneless skinless chicken breasts. I also use organic, free-range and antibiotic free chicken.
- Salsa– Grab your favorite salsa, preferably a chunky salsa for some extra delicious salsa chicken taco meat . I think at least a Medium heat salsa is great. A mild salsa just doesn’t give you much flavor.
- Taco Seasoning– You can use any taco seasoning you like, but I make my own homemade taco seasoning sometimes. I definitely don’t recommend the high sodium packets, but you can use what you have on hand. Making your own taco seasoning is super easy if you have these spices on hand.
- Chili powder
- ground cumin
- ground coriander
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- smoked paprika
- red pepper flakes
- dried oregano
- salt
- ground black pepper
- cayenne pepper (Optional)
Give this Easy Shredded Chicken Tacos recipe a try and let me know how you like it!
Shredded Chicken Tacos (Slow Cooker or Instant Pot)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts (we use organic, free-range and antibiotic free)
- 2 tbs Taco Seasoning
- 16 oz. jar of salsa any kind you like
- Corn or flour tortillas for tacos
Instructions
Slow Cooker/ Crockpot Instructions
- Place chicken in the slow cooker in a single layer and evenly distributed.Â
- Sprinkle and rub the taco seasoning all over the chicken.
- Pour salsa on top of the chicken.
- Cover with lid and cook on High for 3 hrs or Low for 6 hrs.
- Once cooked transfer the chicken to another bowl and once you can handle it, go ahead and start shredding the chicken. Â You can add a squeeze of lime juice for a little acid if you like. (I sometimes shred right in the Slow cooker pot, but you do what works best for you.)
- Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove shredded chicken before making the tacos. It's a little juicy, but so delicious!!
Instant Pot Instructions
- Place chicken in the Instant Pot, evenly distributed.Â
- Sprinkle and rub the taco seasoning on the chicken all over.
- Pour salsa on top of the chicken and mix it all up.
- Place lid with the seal on the pot. Â Set the Instant Pot on High for 15 minutes.
- After the timer is up, natural release for 10 minutes and then fully depressurize pot before opening.
- Turn off the pot, then transfer the chicken to another bowl and once you can handle it, go ahead and start shredding the chicken. Â You can add a squeeze of lime juice for a little acid if you like (I sometimes shred right in the Instant Pot, but you do what works best for you.)
- Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove shredded chicken before making the tacos. It's a little juicy, but so delicious!!
Notes
Nutrition Disclaimer:
Nutrition
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