Description
This Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos recipe features tender, juicy shredded chicken slow-cooked or pressure-cooked in bold green salsa, garlic, and mild chilis. Served on warm tortillas with fresh toppings, it’s an easy and flavorful Tex-Mex dinner option perfect for weeknights or entertaining.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3/4 tsp ground cumin
- 1 garlic clove, minced (1 tsp)
- 1 (4 oz) can mild green chilis, drained
- 1/2 cup chopped seeded Anaheim pepper
- 1 (16 oz) jar salsa verde (Pace recommended)
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
- 12 (6-inch) corn tortillas
- Olive or vegetable oil (optional for cooking tortillas)
- 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
- 1 1/4 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 large avocado, sliced
- Sour cream, chopped red onion, lime wedges (optional)
Instructions
- Place chicken in slow cooker. Season with salt, pepper, cumin, and garlic.
- Pour salsa verde over chicken, add green chilis and Anaheim pepper.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2.5–3 hours until tender.
- Remove chicken and shred. Return to salsa mixture in slow cooker and stir in cilantro. Let rest on warm for 10–30 minutes.
- (Optional Instant Pot method: Add 1/2 cup salsa verde first, then layer in chicken, season, add remaining salsa and chilis. Pressure cook 13 minutes. Quick release. Shred and return to pot with cilantro.)
- Brush or cook tortillas in oil over medium-high heat until golden brown spots appear.
- Fill tortillas with shredded chicken and top with lettuce, cheese, avocado, sour cream, onions, and lime.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
You can swap chicken breasts for thighs if desired.
For a creamy version, stir in 4 oz softened cream cheese at the end.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
To reheat, warm gently in a skillet or microwave with a splash of extra salsa.
Freeze cooked chicken (without toppings) for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker, Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 473
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 951mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 118mg