TIME
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to a world of flavors with our scrumptious Slow Cooker Queso Chicken Tacos. This recipe combines the creaminess of queso with the tenderness of chicken, all nestled within warm taco shells. It’s perfect for an easy weekday dinner or an enjoyable casual gathering.
WHY MAKE THIS RECIPE
With only a handful of ingredients and a slow cooker, Slow Cooker Queso Chicken Tacos are easy to prepare. The long slow cooking time allows all the flavors to blend together, resulting in a delicious taco filling. Plus, the slow cooker does most of the heavy lifting, leaving you with more free time to enjoy the day.
HOW TO MAKE SLOW COOKER QUESO CHICKEN TACOS
INGREDIENTS
– 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1 tsp cumin
– 1 tsp chili powder
– 1/2 tsp garlic powder
– 1/2 tsp onion powder
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 cup salsa
– 1 cup queso dip
– 6 taco-sized flour or corn tortillas
– Optional toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, lime wedges
DIRECTIONS
1. Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker.
2. Sprinkle cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper over the chicken.
3. Pour salsa and queso dip over the seasoned chicken.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or until the chicken is tender and easily shredded.
5. Once cooked, shred the chicken inside the pot, mixing well with the sauce.
6. Warm the tortillas and fill them with the queso chicken mixture.
7. Top with your choice of optional toppings.
HOW TO SERVE SLOW COOKER QUESO CHICKEN TACOS
Serve these mouth-watering tacos straight from the cooker with a buffet of optional toppings on the side. This allows everyone to customize their own tacos to their liking. Enjoy these flavorsome tacos with some freshly made guacamole, salsa, and crunchy tortilla chips on the side.
HOW TO STORE SLOW COOKER QUESO CHICKEN TACOS
Store leftover queso chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. For reheating, briefly microwave or heat on the stove until warm, then assemble into tacos as desired.
TIPS TO MAKE SLOW COOKER QUESO CHICKEN TACOS
– Use high-quality store-bought salsa and queso for best results.
– If you desire more heat, add some chopped jalapenos to the slow cooker or use a spicy salsa.
– To warm tortillas, lightly toast them on a dry hot pan for a few seconds on each side till they are warm and pliable.
VARIATIONS
For some variety, switch out the chicken for pork or beef. Add in some black beans or corn for more texture.
FAQS
1. What can I use in place of queso dip?
You can substitute queso dip with any cheese sauce of your preference or make your own queso using a blend of melted cheese and milk or cream.
2. Can I make this recipe with chicken thighs?
Yes, chicken thighs would work well in this recipe. They bring more flavor and tend to be even more tender after slow cooking.
3. How can I make this recipe vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with a mix of beans like black beans, pinto beans and kidney beans maintaining the rest of the recipe as is.