Description
These Crock Pot Dr Pepper Chicken Tacos are a flavorful and easy slow cooker recipe where tender chicken breasts are simmered in a sweet and tangy Dr Pepper sauce with taco seasoning and salsa. Perfect for a hassle-free weeknight dinner, the shredded chicken is served in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings like cilantro, cheese, onion, and sour cream.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (or chicken thighs)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ¾ cup Dr Pepper
- ½ cup salsa
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
Serving
- Tortillas
- Cilantro, cheese, onion, sour cream (for topping)
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Place 1½ pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts into a 6-quart slow cooker and season them evenly with 1 teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of black pepper to enhance the flavor of the chicken.
- Prepare Sauce: In a bowl or large measuring cup, gently whisk together 1 packet of taco seasoning, ¾ cup of Dr Pepper, ½ cup of salsa, and 1 tablespoon of tomato paste. Be careful to whisk gently as the soda will become very fizzy.
- Combine: Pour the prepared Dr Pepper and taco sauce mixture over the seasoned chicken breasts in the slow cooker, ensuring the chicken is well coated.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook the chicken on low for 5 to 6 hours until it is tender and fully cooked through.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks, or shred it directly in the crock pot using forks, then stir the shredded chicken back into the sauce to absorb the flavors.
- Thicken Sauce: Let the shredded chicken sit in the slow cooker without the lid for about 10 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly before serving.
- Serve: Warm tortillas and fill them with the shredded chicken and sauce. Top with your choice of cilantro, cheese, onion, and sour cream for a delicious taco experience.
Notes
- Using chicken thighs instead of breasts will result in a juicier and more flavorful taco filling.
- For a spicier version, add chopped jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce mixture.
- Make sure to whisk the soda and seasonings gently to avoid excessive fizz that can make mixing difficult.
- Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Serve with lime wedges for an added citrusy brightness.