Wondering what to have for dinner? Want to try something new? Here is the best shredded chicken tacos recipe for you!
People always enjoy their tacos served with ground beef. But baked chicken taco is also delicious to eat. It contains less fat than ground beef tacos and has a similar Mexican flavor.
To make this shredded chicken taco, you don’t need much equipment, a stove is completely enough. Now let’s have a look at this recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Stovetop Meal. There are numerous methods for preparing shredded chicken, but in this case, we’re just poaching it on the stovetop.
- Customizable. To personalize these pulled chicken tacos, add any and all of your favorite Tex-Mex toppings.
- Flavorful. The chicken breast by itself is a little monotonous. Salsa, onions, and taco seasonings are added to these chicken tacos to liven up the otherwise boring chicken.
- Easy to Make Ahead. Do you like to meal prep? This shredded chicken taco filling works perfectly for taco salads or burrito bowls, and is delicious as leftovers.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds (680 grams) Chicken Breasts: For this recipe, one pound is ideal; depending on the size of the breasts, it should be 3 or 4. Make sure to purchase skinless, boneless chicken for this recipe.
- ½ Onion: I love adding fresh diced onion to all of my taco fillings. It adds a ton of extra flavor, moisture, and bulk.
- 2 cloves Garlic: Fresh garlic is much more flavorful and pungent than garlic powder. 2 cloves is the perfect amount, but you can add a bit more if you like.
- 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) Ground Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- Taco Seasonings: Follow the instructions in the recipe to create a taco seasoning featuring cumin, oregano, and chili, or make up a batch of my homemade taco seasoning ahead of time so you always have some on hand. The flavor of homemade taco seasoning is far superior to that of packaged seasoning, and it also contains other special ingredients.
- 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
- ½ cup (130 grams) Salsa: Any jarred salsa that you enjoy will work great in this recipe. The tomatoes in the salsa add moisture and flavor and help to create a sauce.
- 2 teaspoons Vegetable Oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
How to Make Chicken Tacos
- Poach Chicken: In a saucepan, add water to the level of the chicken breasts. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit/74 degrees Celsius internally. As dry chicken results from overcooking, I use my kitchen thermometer to check.
- Shred Chicken: Use two forks to shred the chicken after removing it to a cutting board.
- Make Chicken Taco Sauce: Oil should be heated in a skillet while the onion is being sauteed until it becomes soft and translucent. Then add the garlic and sauté for just 30 seconds. Add salt, cumin, and chili powder. To combine, cook for 1 minute. After adding the salsa, finish warming it up.
- Add Chicken: Shredded chicken should be added to the sauce. 2 to 3 minutes of simmering.
- Serve: Serve chicken tacos with your favorite toppings in warmed tortillas or taco shells.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 144kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 73mg, Sodium: 693mg, Potassium: 519mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 254IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 26mg, Iron: 1mg
Shredded Chicken Taco Tips
- Avoid the urge to use your hands to shred the chicken: It will be extremely hot in the center even after cooling for a bit. Use forks instead.
- Cover the Chicken with Water: When poaching chicken, be sure the bird is completely submerged in water. If not, it will come out dry.
- Don’t burn the garlic: The garlic only needs to cook for about 30 seconds. Be prepared to quickly add the other ingredients because if you wait too long, it might burn.
- Adjust the heat: tacos with chicken that is spicy? Use a spicy salsa or stir in a few shakes of your favorite hot sauce.
Toppings for Shredded Chicken Tacos
Because I think taco toppings are a matter of taste and your family’s preferences, I haven’t included any with this recipe. Here’s some guidance though:
- Cheese: Cheddar, cotija, a Mexican cheese blend, or your preferred cheese, shredded.
- Vegetables: Avocado, diced tomatoes, fresh onions, lettuce or cabbage in shreds. For a special treat, prepare some fresh Pica de Gallo salsa or make some quick guacamole.
- Something Creamy: To add creaminess and balance any spice, use plain sour cream or a homemade lime crema.
- Citrus: Your pulled chicken tacos may benefit from a squeeze of lime or lemon juice as the ideal finishing touch.
More Taco Recipes
FAQs
Can I Make This Recipe with Frozen Chicken Breasts?
Yes, you can use this method to boil frozen chicken breasts, it will take longer for the water to boil, and additional simmering time to cook them completely.
Is Pulled Chicken the Same as Shredded Chicken?
Yes, these are the same thing. Both names come from the action used to break the chicken into small pieces, and are used interchangeably in some recipes.
Are Chicken Tacos Healthy?
Making tacos with chicken breast rather than ground beef makes this meal lower in fat than a traditional taco dinner.
What is Chicken Taco Meat Called?
Pollo is the word for chicken in Spanish. These shredded chicken tacos might be called Tacos de Pollo in Mexico or at a Mexican restaurant.
