Description
With just a few simple ingredients, this shredded chicken taco recipe is easy on the wallet, incredibly delicious, and simple enough for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ¾ cup salsa
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 large lime, zest and juice
- tortillas, avocado, cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, etc (for serving)
Instructions
- Step 1: Place the chicken into a large saucepan and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Cover the chicken with cold tap water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the chicken is no longer pink. This will take 12-15 minutes. (22-25 minutes if your chicken is frozen.)
- Step 2: Transfer the cooked chicken to a large mixing bowl and shred with 2 forks.
- Step 3: Drain off the poaching liquid from the saucepan and return the shredded chicken to the pan. Add the salsa and seasonings to the pan and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer until the chicken has warmed through, about 3-5 minutes. If you find the chicken is drying out as it cooks, add a tablespoon of water as it simmers.
- Step 4: Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the zest and juice the lime to the chicken mixture and stir to combine.
- Step 5: Serve the shredded chicken taco meat on warmed corn tortillas or flour tortillas, with desired toppings of your choice.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. You can replace the salt, pepper, and dried seasonings with 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning. For precooked chicken, skip the poaching and simmer shredded chicken with salsa and seasonings as directed.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Poaching
- Cuisine: American, Tex Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 141 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 294 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0.01 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 73 mg
Keywords: shredded chicken tacos, Tex Mex, easy dinner, 30-minute meals