Slow Cooker Southwest Chicken Tacos

With kids being back at school and after school activities in full swing I need dinnertime to be quick and easy. As a result, my slow cooker has been getting quite the work out. I absolutely love the feeling of throwing ingredients into my slow cooker, not thinking about it all day, then at 5:00pm dinner is ready. Perfect!

Not all slow cooker recipes are a home run so when I find one that tastes great, and my family enjoys, it goes immediately into the dinner rotation. Last week, I added slow cooker meatball subs, beef stroganoff, and buffalo chicken dip to the list. Yesterday, I scored again with these slow cooker chicken tacos.

Using shredded chicken in Mexican inspired dishes is nothing new for me. I make chicken quesadillas using my Mexican slow cooker chicken and salsa chicken recipe all the time. But, as you probably know, you can never have to many shredded chicken recipes. At least I can’t.

I was inspired by this recipe when picking up a packet of Simply Organic ranch seasoning for buffalo slow cooker chicken. Next to it was a packet Southwest taco seasoning. Now I know I could make my own seasoning but the packet was right there, and less than $2, so I figured why not.

I sprinkled the seasoning over 1.5 pounds (about 3) of chicken breasts, poured a can of enchilada sauce and green chilis over top, and then add a little chicken broth. Again, you can make your own enchilada sauce but if you don’t have time then pick up a can from the store. This is meant to be an easy throw together recipe.

After it was done cooking for 5 hours I removed the chicken, shredded it, squeezed some lime on top, and then stirred in a little more of the sauce leftover in the slow cooker. I don’t put the chicken back into the sauce because I feel it becomes to “soupy”. I like to control the amount of liquid that goes in.

I served the chicken in taco shells with avocado, salsa, lettuce, greek yogurt, and a little cheese. These tacos were DELICIOUS! I loved them. And better yet so did my kids. Whenever, my kids like a new recipe I feel more accomplished than when I handed in my 80 page thesis and earned my Masters Degree. Not kidding.

Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Southwest Chicken Tacos

 

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Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

5 hours

Total time

5 hours 10 mins

 

Author: Organize Yourself Skinny

Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds chicken breast (about 3 chicken breasts)
• 1 (1.13 ounce) package southwest taco seasoning (I use simply organic)
• 1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce
• 1 (4.5 ounce) can green chilis
• ¼ cup chicken stock
• Juice from ½ lime. Save the rest for individual tacos
• chopped avocado, greek yogurt, salsa, lettuce, and mexican cheese

Instructions

1. Place chicken breasts on the bottom of the slow cooker.
2. Sprinkle seasoning packet over top of the chicken.
3. Pour in enchilada sauce, green chills, and chicken stock. Flip the chicken a couple times to make sure the ingredients are blended and chicken is coated.
4. Cook on low for 5-6 hours.
5. Remove chicken to a medium bowl and shred.
6. Squeeze lime juice over top. Stir in more of the liquid from the slow cooker a little at a time till you get the flavor you want. the liquid also keeps the chicken moist.
7. Serve with some chopped avocado, greek yogurt, lettuce, and mexican cheese

Notes

Make ahead instructions


Chicken can be made completely ahead of time and stored in the freezer or refrigerator. Ingredients can also be put together in a freezer kit. Just combine all ingredients in a large ziplock bag and store in the freezer. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator then proceed with cooking instructions.

**nutritional information was figured without the condiments. Please adjust accordingly depending what you put on your tacos.

Nutrition Information

Serving size: 2 tacos Calories: 317 Fat: 8 Carbohydrates: 23 WW Points +: 8 Fiber: 2 Protein: 35

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