Recipe: Crockpot Chicken Tacos

If you haven’t already heard of this recipe, tell me, do you live under a rock? 😉

I have seen this recipe all over the place on Pinterest – in fact, in so many places that I can’t even say for sure who it originated from, so I will not link back to someone else’s post this time. I ALSO won’t pretend that the recipe is my own creation. Some brilliant mastermind of easy peasy dinners concocted this genius dish. I just plan to clue you in on the uncomplicated ingredients and how I prepared it.

Crockpot Chicken Tacos

Ingredients

• 5-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 16oz jar of salsa (check the ingredients for Whole30 compliance!)
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or, Homemade Taco Seasoning)

Notes: For the salsa, many recipe versions intend for you to use a chunkier salsa. I opted to make my tacos with a much less tomatoey salsa, Archer Farms Roasted Tomato and Chipotle. I felt the lack of chunky tomato might make the chicken dry, and the original recipe does not call for water and in fact specifically directs you NOT to add any. So, I added about 1/4 cup of water and it turned out perfect. If you choose a less chunky salsa, I recommend doing the same. If you choose chunky salsa, don’t add water! 

Prep

• dump the jar of salsa into a crockpot
• dump the packet of taco seasoning into the crockpot
• mix the salsa and seasoning
• place the chicken breasts on top of the salsa
• add the water if you are using non-chunky salsa
• Set crockpot for either 4 hours on high or 6 hours on low

Serve

• shred the chicken with two forks and mix up with the salsa
• serve the chicken with your favorite taco fixings! In this photo, I used corn tortillas, non-fat Greek yogurt in place of sour cream, baby spinach (healthier than iceberg though not as crunchy), shredded cheddar, and Tapatio hot sauce. BUT if you are Paleo you can serve on just a bed of fresh greens with avocado, cilantro and tomatoes, on paleo-fied tortillas, etc.!

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp ground coriander
• 3/4 tsp onion powder
• 3/8 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 t arrowroot powder, tapioca flour or cornstarch (for thickening)

Prep

• Mix all ingredients together well. You can use the seasoning immediately or package it to store for later!