Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken Tacos (Printable)
Tender shredded chicken slow-cooked in ranch seasoning, piled into warm tortillas with fresh toppings for an easy weeknight meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Poultry
01 - 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
→ Seasonings & Sauces
02 - 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
03 - 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning mix
04 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
→ For Serving
05 - 12 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
06 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
07 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
08 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
09 - 1/2 cup sour cream
10 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
11 - Lime wedges
# How to Make It:
01 - Place the chicken breasts or thighs in an even layer at the bottom of the slow cooker.
02 - Sprinkle the ranch seasoning mix and taco seasoning mix evenly over the top of the chicken.
03 - Pour the chicken broth around the sides of the chicken rather than directly over it to keep the seasonings in place.
04 - Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, until the chicken is fork-tender and easily shreds apart.
05 - Using two forks, shred the chicken directly inside the slow cooker and stir thoroughly so the meat absorbs the seasoned juices.
06 - Warm the tortillas according to the package instructions until pliable and lightly toasted.
07 - Fill each warm tortilla with the shredded ranch chicken and top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, sour cream, cilantro, and a generous squeeze of fresh lime. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The ranch and taco seasoning combo creates a flavor that tastes like you spent all day marinating when you really just dumped and walked away.
- Shredding the chicken right in the juices keeps every bite incredibly moist, and the leftovers transform into completely different meals throughout the week.
02 -
- Resist the urge to lift the lid and check on the chicken during cooking, because each peek releases trapped heat and adds roughly 15 to 30 minutes to the total cook time.
- If the chicken releases a lot of liquid during cooking and the mixture seems too soupy after shredding, let it rest on the warm setting uncovered for 15 minutes so the sauce thickens and clings to the meat.
03 -
- For the most flavorful result, let the seasoned raw chicken sit in the slow cooker insert in the fridge overnight before cooking, which gives the dry seasonings time to penetrate the meat deeply.
- Double the recipe and freeze half of the shredded chicken in its juices for a future meal that reheats beautifully on busy nights when even dump and go feels like too much effort.