Description
These Cheesy Pulled Chicken Tacos are a quick and delicious meal featuring tender pulled chicken seasoned with classic taco spices, simmered with salsa, and topped with melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Served on warm tortillas with optional fresh toppings, these tacos deliver a satisfying blend of cheesy, savory, and zesty flavors perfect for a weeknight dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs cooked pulled chicken (rotisserie or homemade)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup salsa or taco sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 8 small flour or corn tortillas
Optional Toppings
- Chopped cilantro
- Diced onions
- Sliced jalapeños
- Sour cream
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Heat the oil: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
- Season and cook chicken: Add the pulled chicken along with ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well to evenly coat the chicken with the spices and cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to heat through.
- Add salsa: Stir in the salsa or taco sauce and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes to incorporate the sauce and build moisture.
- Melt the cheese: Reduce the heat to low, then evenly sprinkle shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the chicken mixture. Cover the skillet and cook for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and gooey.
- Warm tortillas: While the cheese melts, warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until soft and pliable for easy wrapping.
- Assemble tacos: Spoon the cheesy pulled chicken onto each warmed tortilla, distributing the filling evenly among them.
- Add toppings: Garnish tacos with your choice of optional toppings such as cilantro, diced onions, jalapeños, sour cream, and a squeeze of fresh lime to enhance flavor and texture.
- Serve immediately: Serve the tacos hot straight from the skillet and enjoy the delicious combination of melty cheese and seasoned chicken.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a time-saving shortcut, or cook your own pulled chicken from scratch.
- Adjust the spice levels by adding more chili powder or jalapeños if you prefer extra heat.
- For gluten-free tacos, opt for corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas.
- Leftover taco filling can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop.
- Cheese types can be swapped with your favorite melting cheeses for variation.
