Description
Zesty slow cooker cool ranch chicken tacos blend Mexican-inspired flavors with creamy ranch seasoning. Simple ingredients create a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave for weeknight dinners and festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1 packet (30 g / 1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 packet (30 g / 1 oz) taco seasoning mix
- 1 cup (250 ml / 8 fl oz) chicken broth
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder (optional)
- 8–10 small flour or corn tortillas
- Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or your favorite)
- Diced tomatoes
- Shredded lettuce
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Sliced jalapenos (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Position chicken breasts evenly in the slow cooker basin, creating a uniform layer for consistent heat distribution.
- Seasoning: Generously coat chicken with ranch seasoning, taco seasoning, and garlic powder, ensuring complete flavor coverage across the meat surface.
- Liquid Infusion: Pour chicken broth and freshly squeezed lime juice over the seasoned chicken, providing moisture and depth of flavor for tenderizing.
- Slow Cooking: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours until chicken becomes incredibly tender and easily separates.
- Shredding and Mixing: Remove chicken from liquid, shred into delicate strands using two forks, then return to cooking liquid to absorb additional flavor and maintain juiciness.
- Tortilla Preparation: Warm tortillas in a skillet or microwave to enhance flexibility and release subtle corn or wheat aromatics.
- Assembly: Layer shredded chicken as the primary protein, then top with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, and optional jalapeños for a vibrant and textured taco experience.
- Serving: Plate tacos with fresh lime wedges, allowing diners to personalize their final flavor profile with a citrusy burst.
Notes
- Chicken Placement Matters: Position chicken breasts evenly in the slow cooker to ensure uniform cooking and prevent uneven texture.
- Season Generously: Use a balanced mix of ranch and taco seasonings for maximum flavor depth, covering entire chicken surface thoroughly.
- Moisture is Key: Add chicken broth and lime juice to keep meat exceptionally tender and prevent drying during long cooking process.
- Shredding Technique: Use two forks to pull chicken apart gently, creating delicate strands that absorb cooking liquid and maximize flavor infusion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg