Description
Mexican-inspired slow cooker queso chicken tacos deliver a mouthwatering fiesta of flavors that seamlessly blend creamy cheese and tender chicken. Packed with zesty spices and easy preparation, you’ll savor this comforting meal that brings restaurant-quality goodness right to your dining table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs chicken breasts
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Dairy:
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup queso
Extras:
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 small onion
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 8 soft taco tortillas
Garnish:
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker by lightly greasing the interior to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Place whole chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker, creating an even layer.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning directly over the chicken, ensuring complete coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
- Dice onion and mince garlic, then scatter evenly across the chicken to distribute aromatics.
- Pour salsa, chicken broth, and queso over the chicken, creating a rich, creamy cooking liquid.
- Cut cream cheese into chunks and distribute across the top of the chicken, allowing it to melt during cooking.
- Season with salt and black pepper to enhance the overall taste profile.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 6-7 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours, until chicken becomes tender and easily shreds.
- Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker, mixing it with the accumulated creamy sauce.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken and let it melt for an additional 5-10 minutes.
- Warm soft taco tortillas briefly in a skillet or microwave to enhance their flexibility.
- Spoon the queso chicken into tortillas, ensuring each serving gets a generous amount of the creamy mixture.
- Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and squeeze lime wedges over the tacos for a bright, zesty finish.
- Serve immediately while the chicken is warm and the cheese is melted.
Notes
- Grease the slow cooker thoroughly to prevent chicken from sticking and ensure effortless cleanup.
- Select boneless, skinless chicken breasts of uniform thickness for consistent cooking and tender results.
- Add extra heat by incorporating diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper for spice lovers who enjoy bolder flavors.
- Make this recipe gluten-free by using certified gluten-free taco seasoning and checking salsa ingredients for potential wheat-based additives.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg