There’s something magical about coming home to a perfectly cooked batch of queso-infused chicken. These Melty Fiesta Queso Chicken Tacos bring Southwestern comforts right into your kitchen, all with minimal effort thanks to your trusty slow cooker.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup queso dip or cheesy sauce
- 8–10 small flour or corn tortillas
- Optional toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, chopped jalapeños, sliced avocado, fresh cilantro
Instructions
Begin by placing the chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the diced tomatoes with green chilies over the top, ensuring they cover the chicken evenly. Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper across the chicken. This mix of Southwest spices will slowly infuse deep flavor into the meat as it cooks.
Set your slow cooker to low for about 5 to 6 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours. The chicken should become fork-tender and absorb the tangy chili and tomato juices. Once it’s fully cooked, shred the chicken inside the slow cooker with two forks. Drizzle in the queso dip and stir, letting the warm sauce mingle with the shredded chicken.
Warm your tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave just before serving. Spoon the queso chicken mixture onto the tortillas, then top with anything your heart desires—lettuce, tomatoes, jalapeños, avocado slices, or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Roll them up or fold them in half to create tacos bursting with bold flavor.
These creamy, cheesy tacos are perfect for busy weekdays, casual get-togethers, and even potlucks when you need an easy-to-transport dish. If you’d like to lighten things up, use reduced-fat cheese sauce or swap in Greek yogurt queso. You can also try chicken thighs instead of breasts for a richer taste, or add black beans for extra fiber. No matter how you tweak it, Melty Fiesta Queso Chicken Tacos are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser brimming with comforting flavors and a delightfully hands-off cooking process that anyone can appreciate.
Nathaniel Lee is an avid cook, drawing on his decades of home cooking and fine dining experience. He is a contributing chef at Mashed, and his recipes and contributions have been featured in Tasting Table, Edible Arrangements, Insanely Good Recipes, and The Daily Meal.
