This creamy chicken taco meat recipe is perfect for filling soft tacos, making taco salads, or even a creamy taco dip. The simple ingredients in this recipe make it a healthy and hearty choice for any meal!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
If I had to eat one type of cuisine for the rest of my life, I think it would be Latino food. Mexican recipes are some of my favorites, and there are so many healthy recipes of this type that can be enjoyed any time of day.
This recipe is a family favorite, and there are few reasons why:
Easy
This easy recipe has just a few simple steps. Sauté onions, garlic, and bell pepper, then add to a slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients. After a few hours of cooking low and slow, you’ll be ready to have some delicious chicken tacos!
Creamy
Shredded chicken pairs perfectly with a creamy sauce, creating a delicious melt-in-your-mouth texture. Add taco flavors like chili powder and bell pepper, and serve it up in some fresh corn tortillas for some delicious creamy tacos!
Healthy
This recipe is a little different than many other chicken taco meat recipes, as it is made with a thick yogurt like Greek yogurt or Icelandic skyr. Most creamy chicken taco recipes require cream cheese, but I have a hard time finding cream cheese at the grocery store that doesn’t contain thickening agents. These highlt procedsed thickeners can be harmful to the gut, so I avoid them when possible. By using a thick yogurt, you can still enjoy creamy chicken tacos while avoiding these unhealthy ingredients!This is a great recipe if you are looking for a healthy and delicious meal.
How to Serve Creamy Chicken Taco Meat
Soft Corn Tortillas: add desired amount of meat mixture to healthy corn tortillas, then add your favorite taco toppings like avocado, salsa, jalapeños, etc. Make sure the tortillas you are buying are free of gums like guar gum or xanthan gum. See my favorite brand below, or make your own with a tortilla press!
Taco Shells: this taco chicken is delicious served in hard taco shells: try to find an organic variety that is not made with seed oils or other unhealthy ingredients.
Tortilla Chips: this creamy chicken taco meat can used to make an easy Mexican dip recipe! Most tortilla chips on the market are made with highly processed seed oils that are not healthy. You can see how I make my own tallow tortilla chips in this video!
Taco Bowls: throw this over a salad or some rice and veggies for a delicious and filling taco bowl!
Taco Soup: add some chicken broth to this recipe to turn it into a creamy taco soup!
What Kind of Chicken to Use?
This recipe is best when made with chicken breast. This cut of chicken is great at absorbing the creamy taco sauce it’s cooked in, and creates the best texture and flavor. When possible, buy organic and/or pasture raised chicken. A healthier chicken means more nutritious and less toxic food!
What Kind of Yogurt to Use?
Make sure to use a thick yogurt like Greek yogurt or Icelandic skyr. If the yogurt is not thick enough, it will not be as creamy. You can see this post to learn how to easily make your own Icelandic skyr (a very thick and creamy type of yogurt-cheese).
Don’t Own a Slow-Cooker?
I actually don’t own a crock-pot, because I don’t like cooking my food in the painted ceramic. I prefer to use my pressure cooker, and use the slow cooker setting.
You could also use a large soup pot and cook on medium-low, but make sure to stir occasionally to ensure it does not burn on the bottom.
How to Store Creamy Taco Chicken
This recipe makes great leftovers! Once cooled to room temperature, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to six months.
How to Make Healthy Creamy Taco Chicken
Preheat a large skillet to medium heat with butter, ghee or tallow.
Add diced onions and salt, and sauté until translucent.
Add diced bell peppers and sauté for about 2 minutes, until slightly softened.
Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 30 seconds), stirring constantly. Take it off the heat immediately once fragrant, or the garlic may overcook and become bitter.
Add sauteed veggies to slow cooker or large pot, along with strained or diced tomatoes, spices, yogurt, and, taco seasoning mix, lime juice. Stir until well combined.
Add chicken breasts and combine with other ingredients.
Set slow cooker to high, and cook for 3 hours, or until chicken falls apart easily.
If using a large pot. Set stove to medium high heat and bring to a low boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium low and simmer for about 3 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure the bottom does not burn.
After about 3 hours, shred chicken with two forks by pulling apart on each side, until all chicken is shredded. Combine well with the sauce it was cooked in.
While still hot, add shredded cheese and cilantro. The cheese will melt into the thick sauce.
Enjoy as tacos, tacos bowls, taco dip, and more!
Easy Creamy Taco Chicken: Healthy & Delicious Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Slow cooker (or large pot)
- 1 large pan
- 1 stirring utensil
Ingredients
- 2 diced bell peppers
- 2 diced onions
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 1 cup cups Greek yogurt or skyr
- .5 cup strained or diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp dries oregano
- 4 tbs lime juice
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat a large skillet to medium heat with butter, ghee or tallow.
- Add diced onions and salt, and sauté until translucent.
- Add diced bell peppers and sauté for about 2 minutes, until slightly softened.
- Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 30 seconds), stirring constantly. Take it off the heat immediately once fragrant, or the garlic may overcook and become bitter.
- Add sauteed veggies to slow cooker or large pot, along with strained or diced tomatoes, spices, yogurt, and, taco seasoning mix, lime juice. Stir until well combined.
- Add chicken breasts and combine with other ingredients.
- Set slow cooker to high, and cook for 3 hours, or until chicken falls apart easily.
- If using a large pot. Set stove to medium high heat and bring to a low boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium low and simmer for about 3 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure the bottom does not burn.
- After about 3 hours, shred chicken with two forks by pulling apart on each side, until all chicken is shredded. Combine well with the sauce it was cooked in.
- While still hot, add shredded cheese and cilantro. The cheese will melt into the thick sauce.
- Enjoy as tacos, tacos bowls, taco dip, and more!
