Cody Casey
Tacos are a fun and easy meal to make for any occasion, and using a crock pot can make the process even simpler. Crock pots are perfect for cooking taco meat, as the long, slow simmer adds flavour and moisture to the meat, making it tender and juicy. You can use ground beef, chicken, or a mixture of both, and the best part is that there's no need for pre-cooking or chopping. Simply add your chosen meat, spices, and salsa to the crock pot, and let it cook for several hours. However, if you don't want to use salsa, you can easily leave it out or substitute it with a can of diced tomatoes and some extra salt.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Ground beef, ground turkey, chicken |
| Spices | Cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, pepper |
| Other ingredients | Tomatoes, rice, lime juice, onion, water |
| Preparation | No pre-cooking, no chopping, no browning |
| Cooking time | 3-8 hours |
| Cooking temperature | High or low |
| Serving suggestions | Hard taco shells, tortillas, lettuce, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, hot sauce, cilantro, avocado |
Explore related products
Chicken taco ingredients
Chicken tacos are a great option for a quick, tasty, and easy meal. The best part is that you can make them in a crockpot with very few ingredients.
The main ingredient is, of course, chicken. You can use chicken breasts or thighs, or a combination of both. The amount of chicken you use will depend on how much you want to make, but a good rule of thumb is to use about 1 to 2 pounds of chicken for every 4 to 6 people.
The next key ingredient is salsa. You can use store-bought salsa, either from the refrigerated section or jarred salsa. If you prefer a drier taco meat, go for a thicker, "chunky" style salsa. You can also make your own salsa by mixing canned tomatoes, onions, and spices. If you don't want to use salsa at all, you can substitute it with canned diced tomatoes and some extra spices.
Speaking of spices, you can use a pre-made taco seasoning packet, or make your own blend with spices like cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, and mild chili powder. If you want to give your tacos a unique twist, try adding a tablespoon of cinnamon for a Mexican flair.
Other ingredients you can add to your chicken tacos include black beans, corn, and lime juice. You can also throw in some aromatics like onions to enhance the flavor.
Sizzling Steak Secrets: Perfect Pan-Searing Techniques
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Chicken preparation
First, prepare your spice blend. You can use a store-bought taco seasoning packet, or make your own blend using spices such as cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, and other taco seasonings.
Next, place the chicken in your slow cooker, along with the spice blend. You can also add water at this point if you're using a slow cooker. If you're using an Instant Pot, you can add water later, after the chicken is cooked and shredded.
Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 5-6 hours. If using an Instant Pot, you can cook it for 4-5 hours. Once the chicken is cooked, shred it using two forks. If you're using a slow cooker, drain all but 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the liquid before adding the shredded chicken back into the cooker.
At this point, you can add lime juice and salsa if you like, though salsa is optional. Stir everything together and let it warm through for about 3-5 minutes before serving.
Your chicken taco meat will stay good in the fridge for up to three days. For longer storage, it's best to freeze it.
Pan-Frying Trader Joe's Hash Browns: Quick and Easy?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Slow cooker settings
For ground beef tacos, you can cook on a low setting for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours. If using frozen ground beef, you will need to cook on high for 5 to 6 hours. It is recommended to break up the beef into small pieces 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time.
If you are cooking the beef while at home, it is advised to stir the meat every hour or so, and then drain off any liquid that accumulates into a heat-proof container.
Steel Pans' Highest Pitches
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Toppings
When it comes to toppings, you can get creative and choose your favourites. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Vegetables
- Diced tomatoes
- Onions (red or yellow)
- Jalapenos
- Lettuce
- Cilantro
- Olives
- Avocado
- Shredded cabbage (red or purple)
- Bell peppers
- Zucchini
- Carrots
Condiments
- Hot sauce
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Salsa (fresh or jarred)
- Lime juice
Dairy
- Shredded cheese
- Crumbled goat cheese
- Queso fresco
- Cheddar
You can also add some crunch to your tacos with hard taco shells, warm corn or flour tortillas, or even tortilla chips.
Wooden Spoons: Safe or Not for Non-Stick Pans?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Storage
If you have leftover chicken from your crockpot chicken tacos, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. For longer storage, you can freeze the chicken for up to three months. It is convenient to freeze individual portions of the shredded chicken in smaller freezer-safe bags or containers. This way, you can easily grab a portion for a quick meal. Ideally, thaw the chicken overnight in the refrigerator before using it.
You can also store leftover taco meat in the refrigerator. It can be placed in a zip lock freezer bag and stored in the freezer for up to three months.
If you have leftover salsa, fresh, refrigerated salsa is best stored in the refrigerator, while jarred salsa can be stored in the pantry.
All-Clad Pans: Oven-Safe?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
You will need chicken, water, and spices. You can use a taco seasoning packet or make your own blend with spices like cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder.
You can cook the chicken on the high setting for 4-5 hours, or on low for 6-7 hours. Once the chicken is cooked, shred it with two forks and return it to the crock pot to cook for another 30 minutes on low.
Chicken tacos can be served with taco shells, rice, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, avocado, hot sauce, sour cream, cheese, and cilantro.
If you are making crock pot tacos with ground beef, you can substitute salsa with a can of diced tomatoes and an additional half teaspoon of salt.
