When it comes to preparing a meal that is not only delicious but also easy to make, Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos stand out as a perfect choice. This recipe brings the flavors of Mexican cuisine right into your kitchen with minimal effort required. You can pack a punch of flavor into your tacos with tender, shredded chicken combined with an array of spices and fresh ingredients. Whether you are planning a family dinner, a gathering with friends, or simply a cozy meal for yourself, these tacos are bound to impress.
Why We Love This Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos Recipe
There’s a lot to love about Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos. Firstly, they offer incredible versatility. You can easily customize your tacos with different toppings and fillings, allowing everyone to create their perfect taco. This recipe is simple enough for beginners while still yielding fantastic flavors that seasoned home cooks will appreciate.
The slow cooking process ensures that the chicken becomes incredibly tender and juicy. As it cooks, the spices meld together perfectly, coating the chicken in a rich, savory sauce that you’ll never want to discard. Additionally, it’s a great way to serve a crowd or make delicious leftovers for the week. Once you take a bite, you’ll understand why everyone raves about this dish!
Ingredients about Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
Here is your shopping list for the best Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos. Make sure to have these ingredients on hand before you start cooking!
- 600 g Chicken breasts (about 3 or 4 pieces)
- 400 g Tinned tomatoes
- 1 Red onion (finely chopped)
- 1 Red pepper (sliced)
- 1 Green pepper (sliced)
- 2 tbsp Dark brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Tomato puree
- 1 tbsp Garlic granules
- 1 tbsp Sweet smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Mild chilli powder
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 Avocado (for dipping sauce)
- 1 Lime (for dipping sauce)
- 200 g Yoghurt (for dipping sauce)
- 2 tsp Sunflower oil (for frying)
- 8 Small tortillas
- 250 g Mozzarella cheese
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos Directions
Making your Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos involves a simple process that you can follow step-by-step. Start by gathering all of your ingredients. Place the chicken breasts in your slow cooker and add the tinned tomatoes, finely chopped red onion, and sliced red and green peppers. Next, sprinkle in the dark brown sugar, tomato puree, garlic granules, sweet smoked paprika, cumin, and mild chili powder. Don’t forget to season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste.
Set your slow cooker to HIGH and let it cook for 3 hours, or on LOW for 5-6 hours. The longer you let it simmer, the more the flavors will develop, and the chicken will turn melt-in-your-mouth tender. While the chicken is cooking, you can prepare a refreshing avocado dipping sauce to complement your tacos. Take an avocado, squeeze in the juice from a lime, and add the yogurt. Blend these ingredients together in a small mixer or blender until smooth. Set this sauce aside to let the flavors meld – it will be the perfect dip later!
Once the time is up and your chicken is tender, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the sauce, mixing it well to coat evenly with the rich, flavorful mixture. Now, it’s time to prepare your tortillas. Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat and add about 1 teaspoon of sunflower oil to it.
Take a tortilla and dip it into the sauce in the slow cooker, ensuring it’s coated on one side. Next, sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella cheese and the chicken mixture on one side of the tortilla. Carefully fold the tortilla in half and place it in the hot frying pan. Fry for about 5-10 minutes, turning it over to get both sides golden and crisp. You may need to add more oil to the pan as you repeat this process for all the tortillas.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
Once your tacos are crispy and delicious, it’s time to serve them up! You can place your folded chicken-filled tortillas on a serving platter. To elevate the dining experience, serve the tacos alongside the refreshing avocado dipping sauce. Encourage your guests to dip their tacos in the sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
For a colorful presentation, you can also set out a variety of toppings such as diced tomatoes, fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, or even a squeeze of lime. This way, everyone can customize their tacos to their liking. The combination of warm tortillas, savory chicken, and cool dipping sauce makes for a delightful meal that everyone will enjoy!
Expert Tips: Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
When preparing Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos, consider these expert tips to ensure success.
Use Quality Chicken: Opt for organic or free-range chicken breasts if possible. The quality of your meat can significantly affect the flavor of your tacos.
Cut the Chicken to Fit: If you have large chicken breasts, you may want to cut them into smaller pieces before placing them in the slow cooker. This can help them cook evenly and more quickly.
Adjust Seasonings to Taste: Don’t hesitate to tweak the spices and seasonings to suit your personal preferences. If you enjoy heat, consider adding more mild chili powder or even a dash of cayenne pepper.
Let It Rest: After cooking, let the shredded chicken sit in the sauce for a few minutes before serving. This allows the chicken to soak up even more flavor.
Make It a Meal Prep: Double the recipe for meal prep! The shredded chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, making it easy to use in salads, sandwiches, or additional taco nights.
How to Store Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
If you have any leftovers – which is unlikely, given how delicious these tacos are – you can easily store them in an airtight container. Place the shredded chicken and sauce together for optimal flavor retention. You can keep the stored chicken in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, consider freezing the mixture in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy the leftovers, simply thaw and reheat the chicken mixture before filling your tortillas again. You’ll have another delightful taco night with barely any effort!
Variation of Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
While the classic version of Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos is outstanding, there’s room for creativity when it comes to variations. Here are some ideas to expand your taco repertoire:
Spicy Chipotle Tacos: Add chipotle in adobo sauce to the slow cooker for a smoky, spicy twist. It will add depth and heat that spice enthusiasts will love.
Vegetarian Tacos: Substitute the chicken with a combination of beans, lentils, or even jackfruit for a vegetarian-friendly version that still delivers on flavor.
Mango and Coconut Tacos: For a tropical flair, toss in some diced mango or pineapple and a splash of coconut milk during cooking. These will bring a unique sweetness to your tacos.
BBQ Chicken Tacos: Replace the spices with your favorite barbecue sauce instead. The result will be a sweet and tangy flavor that pairs beautifully with the tortillas.
Breakfast Tacos: Use scrambled eggs and cheese as a filling instead of chicken for a hearty breakfast option. Top with avocado sauce and fresh salsa.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos recipe:
Can I use frozen chicken in this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken. Just add an additional hour to the cooking time in the slow cooker for it to cook thoroughly.
How spicy are these Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos?
This recipe is mild due to the inclusion of mild chili powder. However, feel free to adjust the spice level by using hotter chili powders or adding fresh jalapeños.
Can I prepare the filling ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can cook the chicken mixture a day in advance, store it in the refrigerator, and reheat it before serving it in the tortillas.
What toppings do you recommend for Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos?
Fresh diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, jalapeños, fresh cilantro, and additional lime wedges all make great toppings.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
- 600 g Chicken breasts (about 3 or 4 pieces)
- 400 g Tinned tomatoes
- 1 Red onion (finely chopped)
- 1 Red pepper (sliced)
- 1 Green pepper (sliced)
- 2 tbsp Dark brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Tomato puree
- 1 tbsp Garlic granules
- 1 tbsp Sweet smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Mild chilli powder
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 Avocado (for dipping sauce)
- 1 Lime (for dipping sauce)
- 200 g Yoghurt (for dipping sauce)
- 2 tsp Sunflower oil (for frying)
- 8 small tortillas
- 250 g Mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker and add tinned tomatoes, red onion, red pepper, green pepper, dark brown sugar, tomato puree, garlic granules, sweet smoked paprika, cumin, mild chili powder, and season with salt and pepper.
- Set the slow cooker to HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 5-6 hours.
- While the chicken is cooking, prepare the avocado dipping sauce by blending avocado, lime juice, and yogurt until smooth.
- Once the chicken is done, shred it using two forks and return it to the slow cooker to mix with the sauce.
- Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat and add sunflower oil.
- Dip each tortilla into the slow cooker sauce, fill with chicken mixture and mozzarella cheese, then fold and fry until golden and crisp, about 5-10 minutes per side.
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