Ranch Chicken Tacos

Featured in Filling Main Courses.

These crockpot ranch chicken tacos combine tender shredded chicken with taco and ranch seasonings for an easy weeknight dinner. Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic.

Clare Greco
Updated on Tue, 21 Jan 2025 13:35:07 GMT
Three soft tacos filled with shredded chicken, shredded cheese, lettuce, and topped with sour cream and cilantro, served on a decorative plate. Pin it
Three soft tacos filled with shredded chicken, shredded cheese, lettuce, and topped with sour cream and cilantro, served on a decorative plate. | recipesim.com

Let me share my absolute favorite easy dinner recipe with you! These Crockpot Chicken Ranch Tacos are pure magic - just chicken and 3 simple ingredients transform into the most amazing filling after a few hours in the slow cooker. My family begs for these whether we're making tacos, salads or burritos. And with summer coming, I love that I don't have to heat up the kitchen!

All About The Flavor

I'm telling you, something magical happens when you combine ranch seasoning mix with homemade taco spices. The chicken comes out so tender and flavorful, my kids literally cheer when they smell it cooking! And if you're a ranch lover like me, an extra drizzle of dressing on top takes these over the edge.

What You'll Need

  • Chicken: I use boneless skinless breasts or thighs whatever I have on hand
  • Ranch Mix: One packet brings that perfect tangy ranch flavor
  • Taco Seasoning: My homemade blend saves money and tastes way better than store bought
  • Chicken Broth: I love Better Than Bouillon but any broth works great

Let's Get Cooking

Start With The Chicken
Pop your chicken right into the crockpot bottom
Season It Up
Sprinkle over that ranch mix and taco seasoning then pour in your broth
Low and Slow
Cover and let it cook on low for 5-6 hours until it's tender enough to shred
Shred Time
Use two forks to pull apart that juicy chicken right in the crockpot
Time to Eat
Load up your tacos or top your salad dig in and enjoy!
A close-up of three tacos filled with shredded chicken, lettuce, and corn, topped with sour cream on a glass plate. Pin it
A close-up of three tacos filled with shredded chicken, lettuce, and corn, topped with sour cream on a glass plate. | recipesim.com

Make Life Easy

I love that I can toss everything in the crockpot in the morning and come home to dinner practically ready to go! All that's left is shredding the chicken and setting out toppings. Perfect for those busy days when cooking is the last thing you want to think about.

Make It Your Own

Want to kick up the heat? Add some diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce. Watching calories? Use lettuce wraps instead of tortillas. This chicken is so versatile we use it for tacos burritos and my favorite taco salads!

DIY Taco Seasoning

Listen once you try making your own taco seasoning you'll never go back to store bought! Just mix chili powder garlic powder onion powder cumin paprika oregano salt and pepper. So much cheaper than packets and you control exactly what goes in it.

All About That Broth

Here's a little secret Better Than Bouillon is my secret weapon for extra rich flavor. Just a spoonful in hot water gives you the most amazing broth. Of course any chicken broth works but this really takes it up a notch!

Three soft tortillas filled with shredded chicken, grated cheese, lettuce, and drizzled with sour cream, arranged on a clear plate. Pin it
Three soft tortillas filled with shredded chicken, grated cheese, lettuce, and drizzled with sour cream, arranged on a clear plate. | recipesim.com

Perfect Any Time

Whether it's Taco Tuesday a weekend get together or just a busy weeknight this recipe never disappoints. The chicken turns out so flavorful and tender everyone can customize their tacos exactly how they like them.

Hands Off Cooking

The best part? This recipe practically cooks itself! Just 5 minutes of prep in the morning and your slow cooker does all the work. No hovering over the stove or complicated steps just delicious dinner ready when you are.

Kids Love It

My little ones get so excited when they smell this cooking! They love building their own tacos and the ranch flavor is always a hit. Plus it's tender enough that even my picky eater devours it.

Taco Night Made Easy

Want to host taco night? This recipe is your answer! The chicken stays warm in the crockpot while everyone serves themselves. Just set out tortillas toppings and sides for the perfect DIY taco bar.

A plate of three soft tacos filled with shredded chicken, cheese, and fresh cilantro. Pin it
A plate of three soft tacos filled with shredded chicken, cheese, and fresh cilantro. | recipesim.com

Not Just For Tacos

This chicken makes the most amazing salads! I love it over crisp lettuce with avocado tomatoes and a drizzle of ranch. It's my go to lunch prep and keeps me satisfied all afternoon.

Feed a Crowd

Having people over? This recipe is perfect! Double the ingredients for a larger crowd and set up a taco bar. Everyone loves customizing their own tacos and you get to enjoy the party instead of being stuck in the kitchen.

Budget Friendly

You won't believe how affordable this meal is! Chicken is usually on sale somewhere and making your own seasonings saves so much money. Plus it makes plenty for leftovers saving you even more.

Freeze For Later

Sometimes I make a double batch just to freeze! Let the extra chicken cool then pop it in freezer bags. It reheats beautifully for quick meals later perfect for those crazy busy weeks.

Two corn tortillas filled with shredded chicken and topped with green lettuce. Pin it
Two corn tortillas filled with shredded chicken and topped with green lettuce. | recipesim.com

Love Those Leftovers

The possibilities for leftovers are endless! We make quesadillas nachos or add it to soup. The flavor just gets better and it's such a time saver having cooked chicken ready to go.

Complete The Meal

Don't forget the sides! We love serving this with Mexican rice fresh guacamole and beans. Add some corn salad for extra color and you've got a feast that'll make everyone happy.

Simple But Amazing

It still amazes me how just a few ingredients can make something so delicious! The combination of ranch and taco seasoning with tender juicy chicken is absolutely perfect every time.

Dig In and Enjoy

These Crockpot Chicken Ranch Tacos have become our family's favorite dinner for good reason. They're easy delicious and always hit the spot! Give them a try and I know they'll become your go to recipe too.

A plate holds a taco filled with shredded chicken, cilantro, and cheddar cheese. Pin it
A plate holds a taco filled with shredded chicken, cilantro, and cheddar cheese. | recipesim.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use frozen chicken breasts?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts but add an extra hour to the cooking time. Make sure the chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature before shredding.

→ What if I don't have ranch seasoning mix?

You can make your own with dried herbs like dill, parsley, and garlic powder. Mix these with some dried buttermilk powder for a similar taste.

→ Can I make this spicier?

Add some diced jalapeños or cayenne pepper to the crockpot. You can also use spicy taco seasoning instead of regular.

→ How long do leftovers last?

Store the chicken mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently and assemble tacos fresh when ready to eat.

→ Can I use other toppings?

Try diced tomatoes, sour cream, or avocado slices. You can also add black beans or corn to stretch the filling further.

Conclusion

These crockpot ranch chicken tacos combine tender shredded chicken with taco and ranch seasonings for an easy weeknight dinner. Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic.

Ranch Chicken Tacos

Simple crockpot chicken tacos with a creamy ranch twist. Made with tender shredded chicken, taco seasoning, and ranch mix for amazing flavor.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
360 Minutes
Total Time
370 Minutes

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Mexican-American Fusion

Yield: 6 Servings (12 tacos)

Dietary: Low-Carb

Ingredients

01 4 whole boneless chicken breasts.
02 1 packet of your favorite taco seasoning mix.
03 1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning powder.
04 1 cup fresh chicken broth.
05 8-12 hard taco shells.
06 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese.
07 Hidden Valley Lite Ranch dressing for topping.
08 1 head green leaf lettuce, cut into thin strips.

Instructions

Step 01

Put the chicken breasts in your crockpot. Mix chicken broth with taco and ranch seasonings, pour over chicken.

Step 02

Cover and cook on low heat until chicken is tender, about 5-6 hours.

Step 03

Take chicken out, shred it using two forks. Put it back in the sauce.

Step 04

Fill taco shells with chicken, add cheese and lettuce. Drizzle with ranch dressing if you like.

Notes

  1. The ranch seasoning adds a creamy, tangy twist to classic tacos.
  2. You can prep this the night before and start cooking in the morning.

Tools You'll Need

  • Crockpot or slow cooker.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 320
  • Total Fat: 18 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 15 g
  • Protein: 28 g