Shredded Chicken Tacos
Shredded Chicken Tacos offer a quick, flavorful, and satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Tender, juicy chicken cooked in a smoky spice blend and simmered with broth is shredded and served on warm tortillas with customizable fresh toppings, making every bite vibrant and delicious. This versatile recipe is family-friendly, easy to prepare in about 30 minutes, and adaptable to suit a variety of tastes and dietary needs.
- Author: Barbara
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 tacos 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Gluten Free (when using gluten-free tortillas and seasoning)
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning blend (cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 corn or flour tortillas
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or queso fresco)
- 1 avocado, sliced or 1/2 cup guacamole
- Optional: hot sauce or salsa for serving
- Season and Sear the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry and evenly sprinkle it with the taco seasoning blend. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken and sear for about 3 minutes on each side until golden brown to lock in flavors and create a delicious crust.
- Simmer with Broth: Pour chicken broth into the skillet so it partially covers the chicken. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pan, and cook gently for 15-20 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and tender enough to shred.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the broth and place it on a cutting board or in a bowl. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces, discarding any excess liquid.
- Mix and Heat: Return the shredded chicken to the skillet. Stir in fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro. Warm everything together for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors beautifully.
- Assemble the Tacos: Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave. Spoon generous amounts of shredded chicken onto each tortilla, then top with diced onion, avocado slices, shredded cheese, and optionally drizzle hot sauce or salsa to taste.
Notes
- Use a combination of chicken breasts and thighs for juicier, more flavorful meat.
- Simmering chicken in broth ensures it remains moist and tender for easy shredding.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking before shredding to retain juices.
- Warm tortillas just before assembling so they stay soft and pliable.
- Adjust seasoning and spice levels according to personal preference by adding more or less heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: shredded chicken tacos, easy chicken tacos, quick dinner, Mexican tacos, weeknight meal, family friendly tacos, gluten free tacos