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Tender Slow Cooker Chicken Breast Tacos Easy Moist Never Dry Recipe

slow cooker chicken breast tacos - featured image

Moist, tender chicken breast cooked gently in a slow cooker to deliver juicy, flavorful shredded chicken perfect for tacos. This easy recipe ensures the chicken stays tender and never dry.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Juice of 1 fresh lime
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
  • Soft corn or flour tortillas, warmed
  • Optional toppings: diced onions, sliced radishes, avocado slices, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, guacamole (for dairy-free option)

Instructions

  1. Pat the 2 lbs of chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
  2. In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
  3. Rub olive oil over the chicken breasts, then evenly sprinkle the seasoning mix on both sides.
  4. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in a single layer in the slow cooker.
  5. Pour 1 cup of chicken broth around the chicken, avoiding pouring directly on the seasoning.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3 hours without lifting the lid.
  7. Check that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F and is easy to shred; cook an additional 30 minutes on low if needed.
  8. Shred the chicken gently in the slow cooker using two forks or shredding claws, mixing with the broth to keep it juicy.
  9. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the shredded chicken and sprinkle chopped cilantro; stir to combine.
  10. Warm tortillas and serve the shredded chicken with your favorite toppings.

Notes

Do not overcook chicken to avoid dryness. Pour broth around chicken, not directly on seasoning. Shred gently in the slow cooker to retain moisture. Add extra broth or olive oil if chicken seems dry after shredding. For a spicy kick, add cayenne pepper or chipotle in adobo. Can be adapted for Instant Pot cooking (12 minutes high pressure).

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chicken tacos, tender chicken breast, shredded chicken tacos, easy chicken taco recipe, moist chicken tacos, crockpot chicken tacos