Name: Shredded Chicken Tacos
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 large chicken breasts; ½ tablespoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon dried minced onion; ½ tablespoon paprika; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; ¼ cup canola oil

TheseShredded Chicken Tacoscould not be easier to make. The custom spice blend fills the shredded chicken with flavor and your tacos can be customized with a variety of toppings for a quick, easy meal!

two shredded chicken tacos recipe on a round white plate with guacamole on top.

Shredded chicken tacos are the perfect meal when you don’t have a ton of time to make dinner, but want somethingtasty and filling! It only takes 15 minutes and a few simple seasonings to cook the chicken.

The chicken comes out tender with a savory flavor that pairs well with any toppings you’d like. I like to serve this shredded chicken with a variety of toppings so that everyone can customize their own tacos however they want.

Recipe Ingredients

portion bowls each with digitally labeled raw ingredients to make shredded chicken tacos.

Chicken Breasts—Boneless, skinless chicken is the easiest to work with. You can also use thighs if you have them.
Spice Mix—A blend of cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried minced onion
Canola Oil—Can be replaced with olive or vegetable oil.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Shredded Chicken Tacos

a pan of four raw chicken breasts ready to cook.

shredded chicken and seasonings in a pan.

Step #1.Slice your chicken breasts in half horizontally and place them in a large pan. Cover the chicken with water and place a lid on the pan.

Step #2.Once the chicken is finished cooking, drain the water and shred the chicken. Return the chicken to the pan and add the remaining ingredients.

shredded chicken on a tortilla making a taco.

Step #3.Fold the ingredients together until evenly distributed on the chicken.

Step #4.Serve and enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

How can I tell when my chicken is done cooking?

Covering the pan with the lid will trap the heat and water, which will help the chicken cook. Because of this, the outside of the chicken might not look crispy or golden brown, so the best way to tell that your chicken is done cooking is by using a meat thermometer and allowing the internal temperature to reach 165°F. You will also notice that if you cut into it, it is no longer pink in the middle but it is firm and opaque looking. Additionally, the chicken will crisp up slightly as you cook it with the other seasonings!

What is the easiest way to shred chicken?

There are a few different ways to shred your chicken. You can use two forks to gently pull the chicken apart into small pieces. This method is easy but can take a long time if you have multiple pieces of chicken. If you are cooking a larger amount, you can place the chicken in a bowl and quickly shred it by using an electric hand mixer, or use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment on low speed until the chicken is finely shredded.

Why is my chicken dry and tough?

Make sure your chicken is covered as it cooks, and that you do not overcook it. If your chicken is left uncovered then the water will evaporate before the chicken is finished cooking, causing it to become dry and rubbery. If the chicken cooks for too long then you will have a similar problem. Make sure that your chicken is completely covered by water and doesn’t cook for too long in order to get tender, juicy shredded chicken.

Best Shredded Chicken Tacos Toppings

This chicken is the perfect base for tacos! Use a flour or corn tortilla, and go crazy with your toppings. I like to have everything laid out so people can customize their tacos. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Veggies

Chopped onion
Diced avocado
Corn
Black or pinto beans

Sauces

Other

Fresh lime juice
Diced jalapenos
Sour cream
Fresh cilantro
Shredded cheese

How to Store Shredded Chicken Tacos

Once assembled, these tacos should not be stored in the fridge because they will lose their texture when reheated. However, you can store the shredded chicken and toppings separately so they are ready to assemble in just a few minutes! If you do have leftover chicken, it can be stored for up to a week in an airtight container.

Expert Tips

If you are in a time crunch,you can use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own! Simply shred it with some forks, toss it in a pan with the spices and oil, and cook for a few minutes before serving.
To give your chicken a slightly spicier flavor,you can use chipotle chili powderin addition to other spices.
Instead of using water to cook the chicken,you can also use chicken broth. This will enhance the flavor of the chicken while still giving you tender and juicy meat.
You can use this seasoned shredded chicken for more than just tacos! Makeburritos, salads, quesadillas, or salads to switch things up.