Description
Delicious and easy Queso Chicken Tacos! Tender shredded chicken simmered in taco seasoning and Rotel, topped with creamy homemade queso and your favorite toppings. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun party!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes and green chilies (Rotel), undrained
- 1 lb Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños, chopped (more to taste)
- 2 tbsp pickled jalapeño juice
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 12 corn or flour tortillas (6-inch size)
- Optional toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole, cilantro, lime wedges
Instructions
- If chicken breasts are thick, slice them in half horizontally.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and sear for 3-4 minutes per side, until browned.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning evenly over the chicken breasts.
- Pour in chicken broth and add the can of diced tomatoes and green chilies (Rotel), undrained.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the chicken simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until it is cooked through and easily shreds with a fork. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Return the shredded chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Stir to combine and let it simmer for another 5-10 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb the flavors of the sauce.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the cubed Velveeta cheese and milk.
- Place the saucepan over low heat and stir constantly until the cheese is completely melted and smooth.
- Once the cheese is melted and smooth, add the chopped pickled jalapeños, pickled jalapeño juice, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir to combine.
- Taste the queso and adjust the seasonings to your liking.
- Keep the queso warm over low heat, stirring occasionally, until you’re ready to assemble the tacos. If it starts to thicken too much, add a little more milk to thin it out.
- Warm your tortillas according to package directions.
- Lay out a tortilla on a plate. Spoon a generous amount of the shredded queso chicken onto the center of the tortilla.
- Drizzle a generous amount of the warm queso over the chicken.
- Add your favorite toppings.
- Fold the tortilla in half to create a taco.
- Repeat steps 2-5 for the remaining tortillas and filling.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious homemade Queso Chicken Tacos!
Notes
- Spice it up: For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the queso or use hot taco seasoning. You can also add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to the chicken mixture.
- Creamy Queso: For an even creamier queso, add 4 oz of cream cheese to the saucepan along with the Velveeta and milk.
- Make it ahead: You can prepare the chicken and queso ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to assemble the tacos, simply reheat the chicken and queso.
- Slow Cooker Option: For an even easier preparation, you can cook the chicken in a slow cooker. Simply combine all of the chicken ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Shred the chicken and return it to the slow cooker to keep warm.
- Grilling the Chicken: For a smoky flavor, grill the chicken breasts instead of searing them in a skillet. Grill them until cooked through, then shred and proceed with the recipe.
- Black Beans and Corn: Add a can of drained and rinsed black beans and a can of drained corn to the chicken mixture for extra flavor and texture.
- Bell Peppers and Onions: Sauté some diced bell peppers and onions in the skillet before adding the chicken for added flavor and nutrients.
- Different Cheeses: While Velveeta is the classic choice for queso, you can experiment with other cheeses such as Monterey Jack, cheddar, or pepper jack. Just be sure to use a cheese that melts well.
- Toppings Galore: Get creative with your toppings! Some other great options include pickled onions, radish slices, cotija cheese, and pico de gallo.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve these tacos with a side of Mexican rice, refried beans, or a simple salad. They’re also great for parties and potlucks!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes