Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken Tacos (Printable)
Tender ranch-seasoned shredded chicken slow-cooked and served in crispy taco shells with fresh toppings.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
→ Seasonings and Sauces
02 - 1 oz ranch seasoning mix (store-bought or homemade)
03 - 1 cup chicken broth
04 - 1 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1 tsp onion powder
06 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
07 - ½ tsp black pepper
→ Additional Flavor
08 - 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (undrained)
→ For Serving
09 - 8 small taco shells or tortillas (corn or flour)
10 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
11 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
12 - ½ cup sour cream
13 - ½ cup diced tomatoes (optional)
14 - Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Place chicken breasts in the bottom of a slow cooker.
02 - Sprinkle ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper evenly over the chicken breasts.
03 - Pour chicken broth and diced tomatoes with green chilies (with juices) over the seasoned chicken.
04 - Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours (or on high for 2 to 3 hours), until chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
05 - Remove chicken from the slow cooker and shred using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker, stir to combine with the juices, and let rest for 10 minutes.
06 - Warm taco shells or tortillas according to package directions.
07 - Divide the ranch chicken among the warmed taco shells. Top with shredded lettuce, cheddar cheese, sour cream, diced tomatoes, and fresh cilantro as desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The ranch seasoning does all the heavy lifting, so you barely need a spice cabinet to pull this off.
- Shredding the chicken and letting it swim back in those juices creates the most ridiculously tender filling.
02 -
- Do not skip the 10-minute soak after shredding, because that is when the chicken transforms from plain to irresistible.
- Check your ranch seasoning label if you need gluten-free, since some brands sneak in wheat-based thickeners.
03 -
- Chicken thighs shred even more tenderly than breasts and forgive longer cooking times if you get home late.
- A squeeze of lime juice over the finished tacos wakes up every flavor on the plate in a way nothing else can.