Description
These creamy queso chicken tacos made in the slow cooker offer tender, shredded chicken simmered in a rich, velvety queso sauce, creating a flavorful and effortless taco night. Perfect for busy days, these tacos are customizable with your favorite toppings!
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts or thighs (about 2-3 pounds)
- Cream cheese (8 oz)
- Queso blanco (or other mild cheese dip, 8 oz)
- Diced green chilies (1 can, 4 oz)
- Taco seasoning (1 packet or 2 tbsp)
- Garlic powder (1 tsp)
- Onion powder (1 tsp)
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- Chicken broth or water (1/4 cup)
- Corn or flour tortillas (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place chicken breasts or thighs at the bottom of your slow cooker. Thighs provide a richer flavor, while breasts are leaner.
- Add the Cream Cheese and Queso: Top the chicken with blocks of cream cheese and queso blanco. This adds creaminess and flavor.
- Season the Chicken: Sprinkle taco seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper over the chicken and cheese. Adjust the taco seasoning for your preferred flavor strength.
- Add Green Chilies and Broth: Pour the diced green chilies over the chicken and add chicken broth or water to help the chicken cook evenly.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shredded with a fork.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, shred it directly in the slow cooker. Stir the shredded chicken into the creamy queso sauce. Add more broth or water if the sauce is too thick.
- Warm the Tortillas: While the chicken cooks, warm your tortillas in a skillet or microwave, wrapped in a towel to keep them warm.
- Assemble the Tacos: Spoon the creamy queso chicken onto each tortilla and top with your favorite ingredients like cilantro, lime, diced onion, avocado, or sour cream.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately with sides like Mexican rice or refried beans.
Notes
- Swap the Meat: Use ground beef, pork, turkey, or a vegetarian version with beans and veggies.
- Spicy Version: Add jalapeños or cayenne pepper to the slow cooker for heat.
- Low-Carb Version: Serve over a bed of lettuce or use low-carb tortillas.
- Cheese Options: Experiment with cheddar, pepper jack, or mix in shredded cheese for extra creaminess.
- Add Veggies: Add sautéed bell peppers, onions, or corn for a wholesome variation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
- Category: tacos
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: mexican inspired
Keywords: creamy queso chicken tacos, slow cooker chicken tacos, easy taco recipe, cheesy chicken tacos, taco night