Description
Cheesy Pulled Chicken Tacos combine tender, juicy shredded chicken with a melty blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, wrapped in warm tortillas. This quick and comforting recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, offering a versatile and family-friendly meal that’s easy to customize and prep ahead.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Cheese
- 1 to 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese blend
Seasoning & Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
- ½ cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Cooking Fat
- 1 tablespoon butter or oil for sautéing
Wraps
- 8 soft corn or flour tortillas
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Sour cream or avocado slices for topping
Instructions
- Cook and Shred the Chicken: Poach or pan-cook the chicken breasts or thighs until fully cooked and tender. Allow to cool slightly, then shred the meat using two forks to achieve a perfect pulled texture.
- Prepare the Seasoned Cheese Mixture: In a skillet, sauté diced onions and minced garlic in butter or oil over medium heat until soft and fragrant. Add taco seasoning and shredded chicken, stirring well to coat each piece in flavor.
- Melt the Cheese: Reduce the heat to low, then add the shredded cheese blend. Gently mix until the cheese melts into a creamy, gooey coating that clings to every piece of chicken.
- Warm the Tortillas: Heat corn or flour tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until warm and pliable, making them perfect to hold the cheesy chicken filling.
- Assemble Your Tacos: Generously fill each tortilla with the cheesy pulled chicken mixture. Top with fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and your choice of creamy garnishes such as sour cream or avocado slices for added flavor and freshness.
Notes
- Use warm chicken when shredding for easier pulling and better absorption of seasoning.
- Choose cheeses like Monterey Jack or mild cheddar for smooth melting and the perfect gooey texture.
- Avoid overfilling the tortillas to prevent breakage and maintain neat, easy-to-eat tacos.
- Lightly toast tortillas before assembling to add flavor depth and improve texture.
- Fresh herbs like cilantro and a squeeze of lime brighten the dish and cut through richness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: pulled chicken tacos, cheesy tacos, quick dinner, weeknight recipe, comfort food, shredded chicken, melted cheese, easy tacos