Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken Tacos (Printer-Friendly)
Tender ranch-seasoned shredded chicken slow-cooked to perfection, ideal for loading into warm taco shells for a quick family dinner.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
→ Seasonings & Sauces
02 - 1 oz ranch seasoning mix (store-bought or homemade)
03 - 1 cup chicken broth
04 - 1 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1 tsp onion powder
06 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
07 - ½ tsp black pepper
→ Additional Flavor
08 - 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
→ For Serving
09 - 8 small taco shells or tortillas (corn or flour)
10 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
11 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
12 - ½ cup sour cream
13 - ½ cup diced tomatoes (optional)
14 - Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
# How To Make It:
01 - Arrange the chicken breasts in an even layer across the bottom of the slow cooker.
02 - Evenly sprinkle the ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper over the chicken breasts.
03 - Pour the chicken broth and the entire can of diced tomatoes with green chilies, including juices, over the seasoned chicken.
04 - Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is fork-tender and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.
05 - Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and shred using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, stir to combine with the cooking juices, and let it rest for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
06 - Warm the taco shells or tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat or in the oven according to package directions.
07 - Divide the ranch chicken evenly among the warmed taco shells or tortillas. Top with shredded lettuce, cheddar cheese, sour cream, diced tomatoes, and fresh cilantro as desired. Serve immediately.
# Helpful Hints:
01 -
- The ranch seasoning does all the heavy lifting, so you can focus on assembling tacos and pouring drinks instead of babysitting a stove.
- Shredding the chicken and letting it soak back into the juices creates the kind of flavor that makes people ask what your secret ingredient is.
02 -
- Do not skip the ten minute soaking step after shredding, because that is when the chicken transforms from merely seasoned to deeply flavorful.
- Check the chicken at the four hour mark on low, since overcooked chicken can become stringy and dry despite being in liquid.
03 -
- Let the slow cooker do its thing undisturbed, because every time you lift the lid you add roughly fifteen minutes to the cooking time.
- Double the chicken and seasoning but keep the liquid amounts the same, and you will have enough for tacos tonight and enchiladas tomorrow night.