Best 7 Chicken Taco Filling Recipes

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Chicken tacos are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a fun and festive party appetizer, chicken tacos are a great option. This comprehensive guide offers a variety of chicken taco filling recipes, along with helpful tips and suggestions for creating the perfect taco. From classic shredded chicken tacos to unique and flavorful variations like chipotle chicken tacos and pineapple chicken tacos, you're sure to find a recipe that suits your taste. So grab your tortillas and get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

CHICKEN TACO FILLING



Chicken Taco Filling image

This recipe is easy, yet delicious when used in tacos or other Mexican cuisine. Try it for enchiladas and nachos too.

Provided by Dianna Brown-Brenny

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Mexican

Time 6h5m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 3

1 (1.25 ounce) package dry taco seasoning mix
1 cup chicken broth
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts

Steps:

  • Mix chicken broth and taco seasoning in a bowl.
  • Place chicken breasts in a slow cooker and pour chicken broth mixture over chicken.
  • Cover and cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours.
  • Shred chicken to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 144.8 calories, Carbohydrate 6 g, Cholesterol 58.5 mg, Fat 2.3 g, Protein 22 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 694.7 mg, Sugar 1.5 g

MICHAEL'S TACOS WITH CHICKEN TACO FILLING



Michael's Tacos with Chicken Taco Filling image

Provided by Michael Chiarello : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 50m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
10 garlic cloves, minced
5 yellow onions minced
4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced into 1/2-inch chunks
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 serrano chiles, sliced thin
2 tablespoons sweet paprika
2 tablespoons smoked paprika
2 tablespoons cumin seeds, toasted
2 tablespoons dried oregano
4 to 5 cups chicken stock or water
2 red onions, sliced thin
1 head iceberg lettuce, sliced thin
12 radishes, sliced thin
6 small tomatoes, diced
1 pint sour cream
2 bunches cilantro, leaves roughly chopped
1 (15-ounce) can pinto or black beans, drained and rinsed
1 to 2 packages corn or flour tortillas (enough for 6 to 8 medium size tacos)

Steps:

  • Heat a large saute pan over medium heat and pour in enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the garlic and onions and cook until soft and nicely caramelized, about 10 to 12 minutes.
  • In the meantime, season the chicken with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the flour over the chicken and toss to coat. Heat another large saute pan over medium-high heat and add 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Cook the chicken until it is lightly browned, about 6 to 8 minutes.
  • Once the onion mixture is caramelized and softened, add the serranos, paprikas, cumin, and oregano. When the chicken is done, transfer it to the pan with the onions. Pour in the broth or water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce is thick and delicious, approximately 20 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  • To serve the tacos: Put the toppings and chicken filling in bowls and allow guests to build their own tacos.

ANCHO-CUMIN CHICKEN TACO FILLING



Ancho-Cumin Chicken Taco Filling image

From a local source. I had on hand 1.25 pounds of boneless chicken thighs reducing the amount of cumin powder to 1 1/2 tablespoons and 1 1/2 tablespoons of ancho chile powder. I made my own ancho chili powder with one roasted whole dried ancho chili. The membrane, stem and seeds were removed and ground the chili in a spice grinder/coffee mill.

Provided by COOKGIRl

Categories     Chicken

Time 21m

Yield 10-12 tacos

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut up into chunks
1/4 cup cumin powder
1/4 cup dried ancho chile powder
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons coconut oil
fresh cilantro
lime wedge
white onion, diced small
radish (I bought pretty 'purple plum' radishes at the farmer's market!)
tomatillo salsa (I skipped the tomatillo salsa)
crumbled Cotija cheese
red cabbage or white cabbage

Steps:

  • PULSE the chicken chunks in a food processor about 6-8 times briefly to chop chicken into small pieces, *being careful not to overprocess*.
  • In a large bowl, stir together the cumin powder, chili powder and salt.
  • Place the chopped chicken into the bowl and toss with spices to combine well.
  • Heat the coconut oil over medium-­high heat until it shimmers.
  • Add chicken in a single layer and cook, undisturbed, about one minute. Stir chicken and continue to cook until chicken is cooked through, about five minutes or so, stirring often and breaking up any large chunks with your spoon.
  • To serve, spoon chicken mixture onto freshly made tortillas and top with the sides of your choice.
  • Note: I made tostadas using a masa mix and we enjoyed our tostadas with the garnishes listed above except I didn't have time to make tomatillo salsa. The menu: tostadas were served with freshly cooked whole black beans (very lightly seasoned with S/P), and fresh strawberries.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 145.2, Fat 6.1, SaturatedFat 3, Cholesterol 58.1, Sodium 859.6, Carbohydrate 2.7, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 0.3, Protein 20.1

SARAH'S EASY SHREDDED CHICKEN TACO FILLING



Sarah's Easy Shredded Chicken Taco Filling image

I put this together one day, wanting tacos, but I did not want ground beef. It is fast to make, as no slow cooker is needed. Serve warmed as a substitute for ground beef in tacos, and serve in a taco shell, with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, or other favorite toppings.

Provided by Holiday Baker

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Mexican

Time 40m

Yield 3

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon minced onion
1 pinch ground cumin
1 pinch chili powder
¼ cup tomato sauce

Steps:

  • Place chicken breasts into a saucepan and pour in enough water to cover. Place over medium heat, bring to a boil, and simmer until chicken meat is no longer pink, 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Transfer chicken breasts to a bowl, allow to cool, and shred the chicken meat with 2 forks.
  • Heat vegetable oil in a small non-stick saucepan over medium heat, and cook and stir onion until translucent, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Mix in the shredded chicken, cumin, chili powder, and tomato sauce; bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to low and simmer until chicken is hot and the flavors have blended, about 3 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 188.3 calories, Carbohydrate 1.7 g, Cholesterol 78 mg, Fat 6.3 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 29.8 g, SaturatedFat 1.4 g, Sodium 174.9 mg, Sugar 1 g

DELICIOUS PULLED CHICKEN TACO FILLING



Delicious Pulled Chicken Taco Filling image

This delicious pulled chicken taco filling is slowly simmered until the chicken falls apart, creating the most delicious taco filling you can imagine. Serve on taco shells with refried beans, salsa, guacamole, lettuce, and cheese.

Provided by kelownaalex

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Mexican     Main Dishes     Tacos     Chicken

Time 1h5m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups fresh salsa
6 (4 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
¼ cup brown sugar
½ medium lime, juiced
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground paprika
1 ½ teaspoons salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 ½ cups water, or as needed

Steps:

  • Heat a large pot over medium heat until hot. Add salsa; saute for 3 minutes.
  • Add chicken thighs, brown sugar, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, thyme, black pepper, and cayenne. Add enough water to mostly cover the chicken; bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to low and simmer until chicken is tender and juices run clear, about 45 minutes. Add more water if the bottom of the pot starts to dry out.
  • Remove chicken from the pot and shred with 2 forks. Return to the pot and mix with sauce to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 352.3 calories, Carbohydrate 27.5 g, Cholesterol 105.2 mg, Fat 13.9 g, Fiber 4.9 g, Protein 32.2 g, SaturatedFat 3.6 g, Sodium 1799.4 mg, Sugar 18 g

MICHAEL' TACOS WITH CHICKEN TACO FILLING



MICHAEL' TACOS WITH CHICKEN TACO FILLING image

Number Of Ingredients 22

For the chicken:
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
10 garlic cloves, minced
5 yellow onions minced
4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced into 1/2-inch chunks
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 serrano chiles, sliced thin
2 tablespoons sweet paprika
2 tablespoons smoked paprika
2 tablespoons cumin seeds, toasted
2 tablespoons dried oregano
4 to 5 cups chicken stock or water
For the tacos:
2 red onions, sliced thin
1 head iceberg lettuce, sliced thin
12 radishes, sliced thin
6 small tomatoes, diced
1 pint sour cream
2 bunches cilantro, leaves roughly chopped
1 (15-ounce) can pinto or black beans, drained and rinsed
1 to 2 packages corn or flour tortillas (enough for 6 to 8 medium size tacos)

Steps:

  • Directions Heat a large saute pan over medium heat and pour in enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the garlic and onions and cook until soft and nicely caramelized, about 10 to 12 minutes. In the meantime, season the chicken with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the flour over the chicken and toss to coat. Heat another large saute pan over medium-high heat and add 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Cook the chicken until it is lightly browned, about 6 to 8 minutes. Once the onion mixture is caramelized and softened, add the serranos, paprikas, cumin, and oregano. When the chicken is done, transfer it to the pan with the onions. Pour in the broth or water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce is thick and delicious, approximately 20 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. To serve the tacos: Put the toppings and chicken filling in bowls and allow guests to build their own tacos.

TACOS WITH CHICKEN TACO FILLING



TACOS WITH CHICKEN TACO FILLING image

Categories     Chicken

Yield 6-8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 22

For the chicken:
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
10 garlic cloves, minced
5 yellow onions minced
4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced into 1/2-inch chunks
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 serrano chiles, sliced thin
2 tablespoons sweet paprika
2 tablespoons smoked paprika
2 tablespoons cumin seeds, toasted
2 tablespoons dried oregano
4 to 5 cups chicken stock or water
For the tacos:
2 red onions, sliced thin
1 head iceberg lettuce, sliced thin
12 radishes, sliced thin
6 small tomatoes, diced
1 pint sour cream
2 bunches cilantro, leaves roughly chopped
1 (15-ounce) can pinto or black beans, drained and rinsed
1 to 2 packages corn or flour tortillas (enough for 6 to 8 medium size tacos)

Steps:

  • Heat a large saute pan over medium heat and pour in enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the garlic and onions and cook until soft and nicely caramelized, about 10 to 12 minutes. In the meantime, season the chicken with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the flour over the chicken and toss to coat. Heat another large saute pan over medium-high heat and add 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Cook the chicken until it is lightly browned, about 6 to 8 minutes. Once the onion mixture is caramelized and softened, add the serranos, paprikas, cumin, and oregano. When the chicken is done, transfer it to the pan with the onions. Pour in the broth or water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce is thick and delicious, approximately 20 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. To serve the tacos: Put the toppings and chicken filling in bowls and allow guests to build their own tacos. Recipe courtesy Michael Chiarello

Tips:

  • Choose the right chicken: For the best flavor, use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
  • Cut the chicken into small pieces: This will help it cook evenly.
  • Season the chicken well: Use a combination of salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder for a classic taco flavor.
  • Cook the chicken until it is cooked through: The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Shred the chicken: Use two forks to shred the chicken into small pieces.
  • Add your favorite taco toppings: This could include cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and lettuce.
  • Serve the chicken tacos immediately: This will help prevent the chicken from drying out.

Conclusion:

Chicken tacos are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With endless possibilities for toppings and fillings, there is sure to be a chicken taco recipe that everyone will love. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give chicken tacos a try!

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