Smoky Chicken Tacos

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You will love the smoky flavors in these slow-cooked chicken tacos. Each bite is a perfect mix of tender chicken, zesty salsa, and a kick of chipotle. Elevate your taco night with this smoky chicken tacos recipe!

 

 

This recipe is at the top of this week’s fuss-free recipes a lot. Perfect smoky chicken tacos cooked in a slow cooker are one of my favorite recipes.

It has great flavor, is an easy taco recipe that comes together so quickly, and lets everyone make their perfect taco with their favorite toppings.

Whether you have a great taco game or just need a new recipe card to keep the whole family happy after a long day, these crockpot chicken street tacos are really good food for everyone, even those with serious allergies.

 

 

What is a Chicken Street Taco?

Chicken street tacos crock pot are a kind of Mexican food featuring small, soft tortillas generously filled with seasoned, shredded chicken and delicious toppings but cooked in a slow cooker.

The street taco style are small handheld tacos that are perfect for a flavor-packed experience.

 

 

What is the Difference Between Chicken Tacos and Smoky Chicken Tacos?

While traditional chicken tacos are savory seasoned chicken, these tacos stand out with their smoky chipotle kick.

Slow cooking in adobo sauce gives this chicken street taco recipe a bold, smoky sauce flavor, setting them apart from a traditional shredded chicken taco recipe.

 

 

What Ingredients Are in Smoky Chicken Tacos?

• Boneless Chicken Breasts: the perfect protein base for the tacos.
• Onion: Adds depth to the slow-cooked chicken.
• Chipotle Chiles in Adobo Sauce: gives a smoky, spicy flavor.
• Cumin: my favorite Mexican food spice
• Salt and Pepper: Seasonings enhancing the chicken’s taste.
• Chicken Broth: Provides moisture for slow cooking the smoky chicken
• Flour Tortillas: use your favorite ones to hug the street tacos chicken

Pro Tip: Homemade chicken stock will add more flavor to your chicken meat, but use whatever you have on hand.

 

 

How to Make Smoky Chicken Tacos:

1. Spray the slow cooker, place chicken, seasonings, add onions, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, and cup of chicken broth.
2. Cook on high until done.
3. Shred cooked chicken.
4. Strain juices, and pour some back over shredded chicken to keep warm and moist.
5. Make fresh salsa and pickled onions if using as toppings.
6. Assemble tacos by filling warm tortillas, with chicken, salsa, pickled onions, cotija cheese, and cilantro.

 

 

What is the best fresh salsa recipe?

I have included my favorite homemade salsa on the recipe card. All you need is cherry tomatoes, jalapeno pepper, garlic, green onions, lime, salt, and pepper. 

It is one of those perfect fresh recipes that you can make a small bowl really fast or a large one to feed a crowd and it comes out perfectly.

 

 

Are Smoky Chicken Tacos Healthy?

Yes, smoked chicken tacos are healthy! They are made with lean chicken, topped with fresh salsa, and have minimal cheese while still tasting great.

These tacos are a tasty and balanced healthy meal.

Adjust the toppings used to suit your nutritional preferences.

Shredded cabbage is a great bed for the smoky chicken meat!

 

 

What to Serve with Smoky Chicken Tacos:

Serve your favorite Mexican dishes with these Slow Cooker Chicken Street Tacos. Here are some of my favorite things to serve with them:

• Spicy Pickled Red Onions
• Guacamole with Red Onions
• Cilantro Lime Rice and Beans
• Mexican Rice with Jasmine Rice
• Roasted Tomato Salsa
• Mexican Casserole
• Mexican Rice and Beans
• Mexican Corn Salad
• Green Burrito Sauce
• Refried Beans Recipe
• Salsa Verde Recipe
• Fiesta Guacamole
• Southwest Bean Dip
• Corn and Black Bean Salsa

 

 

When to Serve Smoky Chicken Tacos:

This Chicken Street Tacos Recipe makes a perfect meal for Taco Tuesday or any day of the week you are ready for tacos.

Because they cook in the slow cooker all day, they are perfect for lively gatherings, family dinners, or meals on busy days.

 

 

Can You Make Smoky Chicken Tacos Ahead of Time?

Yes you can make smoky slow cooker chicken tacos ahead of time!

Prepare the chicken and toppings in advance and reheat before assembling tacos. 

But also since this is a crockpot chicken street tacos recipe, you can make them in the morning and have them ready to eat that night.

 

 

Can You Freeze Smoky Chicken Tacos?

Yes you can freeze street tacos with chicken! Freeze the cooked shredded chicken, then thaw and reheat when ready for tacos. Fresh salsa and toppings are best prepared fresh.

Pro Tip: You can also freeze everything raw so it is ready to dump in the slow cooker or instant pot. Just put everything that goes in the slow cooker chicken street tacos recipe in a bag. 

Label with cooking directions, and freeze in a freezer safe zip bag. The night before, pull your bag out of the freezer and in the morning, dump the ingredients straight into your slow cooker.

You can also pull it straight from the freezer to the pressure cooker and cook from frozen there.

 

 

How to Store Leftover Smoky Chicken Tacos:

Store leftover chicken tacos in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Be sure to store chicken and toppings separately. Reheat the chicken before assembling fresh tacos.

Are Smoky Chicken Tacos Gluten-Free?

Yes, these smoky chicken tacos are gluten free!

Be sure to use gluten free tortillas (corn tortillas are great!) to make this a perfect gluten-free meal.

Pro Tip: Always check the ingredient contents of every prepackaged dish before serving your gluten-free friends a meal. Sometimes packaging companies sneak gluten in as a substitute ingredient.

 

 

These smoky chicken tacos are the perfect dish when you need an easy chicken recipe everyone wants to eat. This is also a great recipe when you need an easy meal on busy nights without a lot of work.

 

Originally Posted: May 7, 2021

Photos & Text Updated: February 23, 2024