Chipotle Ranch Chicken Tacos

Tacos are a weeknight favorite because they’re easy to whip up, customize and feed a crowd. We love these shredded chicken tacos because they’re packed with flavor and can be ready and on the table in just 20 minutes. Thanks to store-bought rotisserie chicken (our secret time-saving ingredient!), you hardly even have to turn on your oven. Simply warm the chicken, corn and pico de gallo in the microwave and assemble the tacos and top them with your favorite ingredients. Store-bought chipotle ranch dressing adds tangy, zesty flavor to every bite.

Ingredients for Shredded Chicken Tacos

• Rotisserie chicken: Store-bought rotisserie chicken is a time-saving ingredient. It is easy to shred and much faster than making chicken from scratch. It’s the key to making this dish in under 30 minutes.
• Frozen corn: Make sure to let the frozen corn thaw before incorporating it into the recipe. If you don’t have frozen corn on hand, canned corn will work just as well.
• Pico de gallo: A combination of tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeño and pico de gallo is a great way to add flavor and moisture. You can use store-bought or homemade, whichever you prefer.
• Taco shells: Crispy taco shells are a great way to balance out the soft fillings with hard crunch.
• Monterey Jack cheese: This mild cheese won’t add a ton of heat to your taco recipe. Instead, it’s a great way to add savory flavor and creamy texture.
• Coleslaw: Crunchy, cool and refreshing coleslaw makes a fantastic topping for shredded chicken tacos. You can opt for store-bought to save time or make it yourself.
• Radishes: Radishes pack a surprising amount of peppery flavor. They can be a crunchy, crispy way to add more flavor to taco recipes like this one when sliced thinly, .
• Chipotle ranch salad dressing: Tangy, cool and a bit spicy, this store-bought dressing infuses the mild chicken with extra flavor and necessary moisture.
• Jalapeno peppers: Depending on the level of heat you prefer, you can remove the seeds or leave them in.

Directions

Step 1: Warm the chicken

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Combine the chicken, corn and pico de gallo in a small microwave-safe dish. Cover and cook on high for one to two minutes or until the mixture is heated through.

Step 2: Assemble the tacos

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Spoon the chicken mixture into the taco shells and top with remaining ingredients.

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Shredded Chicken Taco Variations

• Add beans: This is a very simple and easily adaptable recipe to add other proteins or vegetables into. If you want to bulk up the tacos and stretch your chicken, try adding white, black or pinto beans to the filling mixture.
• Mix the chicken with the dressing before assembling: To make these chicken tacos with shredded chicken more dense, try mixing the chicken with the dressing before assembling the taco. This way you’ll get a bit of ranch flavor in every bite and won’t have to worry about big drips of dressing falling out of the end.

How to Store Shredded Chicken Tacos

Since we’re using crunchy taco shells this shredded chicken tacos recipe shouldn’t be made in advance. While the tacos themselves are best enjoyed immediately, you can certainly make the filling in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Combine the chicken, corn and pico de gallo in a refrigerator-safe bowl, then cover and store until you’re ready to use. The mix can sit in the refrigerator for one to two days.

How long do shredded chicken tacos last?

These shredded chicken tacos are best enjoyed immediately. The crunchy taco shells won’t be able to hold the moisture of the chicken and pico de gallo without getting soggy so be sure to assemble them right before you’re ready to eat.

Shredded Chicken Taco Tips

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Can I make these shredded chicken tacos with soft tortillas instead?

You can absolutely make these tacos with soft flour or corn tortillas instead. Simply follow the recipe outlined above and substitute the crunchy shells for soft shells. It’s a good idea to warm the tortillas in the microwave first to make them softer and more pliable. Wrap each tortilla in a damp paper towel and lay it flat on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave it for about 30 seconds and then fill with the taco ingredients.

How can I make these with homemade shredded chicken?

For tender and moist shredded chicken, add some chicken breasts to your slow cooker with a splash of water or stock and taco seasoning. Allow the chicken to cook in the slow cooker for four hours and then pull it apart using two forks.

What can I serve these shredded chicken tacos with?

A light and easy side salad, roasted vegetables or a heaping pile of rice and beans are all great side dish options for these tasty tacos.