Description
Hearty slow cooker cool ranch chicken tacos deliver a Mexican-inspired meal packed with bold flavors. Ranch seasoning and tender chicken create an easy weeknight dinner you’ll savor with zesty toppings and warm tortillas.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (30 g/1.06 oz)
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix (30 g/1.06 oz)
- 1 tsp garlic powder (optional)
- 1 cup chicken broth (250 ml/8.45 fl oz)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 8–10 small flour or corn tortillas
- Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or your favorite)
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced jalapenos (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Arrange chicken breasts in a single layer within the slow cooker basin, creating an even cooking surface.
- Seasoning: Thoroughly coat chicken with ranch and taco seasonings, ensuring comprehensive flavor distribution across the meat.
- Liquid Infusion: Pour chicken broth and fresh lime juice over the seasoned chicken, introducing moisture and citrus undertones.
- Slow Cooking: Cover and cook on low temperature for 6-7 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours, allowing chicken to become perfectly tender and infused with robust flavors.
- Shredding and Integration: Remove chicken, meticulously shred using two forks, then return to cooking liquid and stir to reincorporate the rich, seasoned juices.
- Tortilla Preparation: Warm tortillas in a skillet or microwave to enhance flexibility and create an optimal base for taco assembly.
- Taco Construction: Layer shredded chicken as the primary filling, then top with crisp lettuce, diced tomatoes, melted cheese, sour cream, and optional jalapeño slices.
- Serving: Present immediately with lime wedges, providing a zesty garnish to elevate the overall taste experience.
Notes
- Optimize Moisture Control: Avoid overcooking chicken by checking internal temperature, ensuring it reaches 165°F without becoming dry or stringy.
- Enhance Flavor Depth: Add a splash of salsa or a pinch of smoked paprika to the seasoning mix for a more complex and robust taste profile.
- Make It Diet-Friendly: Swap traditional tortillas with lettuce wraps for a low-carb option, or use cauliflower tortillas for a gluten-free alternative.
- Perfect Shredding Technique: Let chicken rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, making the meat easier to shred and more tender.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg