My 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

 

To make 6 to 8 servings, you’ll need:

• 2 pounds mixed boneless, skinless chicken thighs and/or breasts
• 1 cup prepared tomato salsa
• 1 lime
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Warmed tortillas, for serving
• Optional toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, sliced avocado or guacamole, hot sauce, and/or more salsa

Add the chicken to a 5 or 6-quart slow cooker. Cover the chicken with the salsa, then toss to coat. Nestle the chicken into the bottom of the slow cooker insert in an even layer. Cover the slow cooker with the lid, then cook until the chicken pulls apart easily with 2 forks, about 3 hours on high or 6 hours on low.

Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it cool slightly. Meanwhile, zest and juice the lime. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Transfer to a large bowl, season with salt and pepper to taste, and toss with the lime zest and juice.

Serve the chicken with warmed tortillas and toppings of your choice.

Let the chicken cool to room temperature, then transfer to a food storage container. Cover with a lid and refrigerate; enjoy within 5 days. If freezing, place in a freezer bag, remove any excess air, and seal. Label and date the bag and use within 3 months. To reheat, add chicken to a saucepan with a few tablespoons of water or salsa and set over medium-low heat. Cover and cook, stirring often, until hot.

Tips for Making These Tacos

• The secret to the best tacos is using a mix of chicken thighs and breasts so that the meat stays tender. 
• It’s also important to use a really good salsa, preferably one on the thicker side. My favorite is Frontera’s Double Roasted Tomato Salsa, which is packed with flavor and thick with obvious pieces of tomato, onion, and cilantro. 
• To jazz things up, sometimes I cover the chicken in a mixture of chili powder, cumin, and oregano before adding the salsa. Or I add a chopped onion and some garlic to the mix. There are plenty of options for playing with flavor to make this your own!