Crockpot Cheddar Beer Chicken Tacos.

January 17, 2012 · 111 comments

The day I made these tacos, I really wanted 5000 cookies without calories for dinner.

I know.

Cookies without calories this is clearly not.

But I can wish anything into existence!

I threw this in the crockpot at nearly 11PM one night last week. Yes, that is like three hours past my bedtime but I was feeling saucy or something.

Actually, I couldn’t stop thinking about BBQ beer chicken sandwiches and well, beer in general… but since I have a penchant for rarely making the same thing twice I simply threw some Mexican-type seasonings in there. I mean, if it was up to me I’d cook the freaking chicken in sangria or margaritas.

That’s how much I want to marry the cuisine just so my face can be stuck in it forever.

Anyhoo…

This is good stuff. Really good. It’s cheesy and beery and all-around delicious. You can make it to go in other things too, like um… cheddar beer enchiladas? Cheddar beer chicken soup? Cheddar beer ice cream sundaes? What?

It’s like you don’t even KNOW me.

Orrrr maybe you do.

Because you’re probably wondering why there isn’t more cheese and avocado and sour cream on that taco up there. And even some crushed blue corn chips. And queso. And where is my flippin’ margarita?

I’m right there with you.

Crockpot Cheddar Beer Chicken Tacos

[taco seasoning adapted from allrecipes]

serves 4+

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

3/4 cup beer (I used an amber ale)

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 1/2 teaspoons cumin

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

pinch of cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoons pepper

3/4 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese + more for topping

taco shells

your favorite toppings: greek yogurt, avocado, cilantro, salsa, chopped onion, black beans, shredded lettuce, etc.

In a bowl, mix together chili powder, cumin, garlic, onion, paprika, cayenne, salt and pepper. Measure out 3/4 cup of your favorite beer, and whisk 1 1/2 tablespoons of the taco seasoning into the beer.

Place chicken in the crockpot and dump in beer with seasoning. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4 hours.

When you first remove the lid, it will seem as though there is a lot of liquid and the chicken is just sitting in it, but take two forks or kitchen tongs and shred, shred, shred until it all comes together. Taste and season with additional taco seasoning if desired, then let sit in the crockpot for another 15 minutes or so. Turn the crockpot completely off, and right before serving toss in cheddar cheese. Once combined, immediately transfer the chicken to a large bowl so the cheese does not stick to the crockpot. Make your tacos!

Now about those cookies…

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{ 102 comments… read them below or add one }

Ashley January 17, 2012 at 2:15 pm

LOVE the last 3 photos. Great textures + colors!

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Culinary Collage January 17, 2012 at 2:46 pm

These looks amazing! I hardly use my crockpot, but this looks like a good reason to pull it back out again.

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Cassie @ bake your day January 17, 2012 at 4:07 pm

Why is it that you never make anything twice? I think the only things that I make more than once is anything buffalo chicken-inspired because that’s what my husband lives on. Other than that, it’s new meals all the time. Including this one on the list now. I mean, WOW!

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Katie @ ohshineon January 17, 2012 at 4:27 pm

This makes me all giddy inside. Honestly, right about now I think I’d actually pick this crockpot chedder beer chicken OVER calorie-free cookies. WHAT!?

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Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes January 17, 2012 at 4:33 pm

I said it once and I’ll say it again….i LOVE using my crock pot and this looks delish!

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Chris January 17, 2012 at 4:42 pm

Oh man – I wish I saw this this morning. I set a huge pork shoulder in the crock pot and let it cook. Might taco it up tonight though.

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raeann January 17, 2012 at 4:42 pm

this looks deelish – i do love a crockpot recipe – i’m addicted to PW’s dr pepper pulled pork – ah.maz.ing.

anyhoodle – wanted to let you know i made your tortilla soup last night, and bravo – it was awesome! i did use green enchilada sauce instead of red, though, but it was still super good!

love the blog!!

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Kat January 17, 2012 at 5:15 pm

Ohhh, I’m definitely making this. My boyfriend will flip.

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Heather of Kitchen Concoctions January 17, 2012 at 5:33 pm

I’m with you, beer chicken ‘anything’ sounds like it would be a winner!

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Jackie Grandy January 17, 2012 at 5:38 pm

Delicious! I love mexican and tacos so this dish is right up my alley.

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Kilee January 17, 2012 at 7:48 pm

Holy yum! I want these proto! I can’t have beer (gluten-free.) I wonder if I could substitute a soda of some sort?

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Angie January 20, 2012 at 7:29 am

Some beers are gluten free search it it was on the show the doctors yesterday! :)

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Quiche-ing Queen January 17, 2012 at 7:48 pm

This sounds like a dinner my family would enjoy. So delicious looking. Looks like a taco night is in our near future.

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Sarah January 17, 2012 at 9:00 pm

Shoot, too bad I am already wine-ing and have your delish fishsticks in the oven. This is next on the to-cook list!

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Kelly January 17, 2012 at 9:40 pm

You take such beautiful pictures!!

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April January 17, 2012 at 10:57 pm

Now that you mention it, I miss going to prom too! I didn’t mind getting all dolled up and buying some sparkly/shiny dress.

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Russell at Chasing Delicious January 17, 2012 at 11:14 pm

Lovely shots! These tacos look scrumptious.

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Dawn January 18, 2012 at 8:09 am

that’s it! making these tonight w/ guests in town. very simple!

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Lynn @ Order in the Kitchen January 18, 2012 at 12:08 pm

oh hot damn these look amazing… definitely need to make these! these would be man-approved… a difficult task sometimes in my house ;)

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Emily (Edible Psychology) January 18, 2012 at 4:02 pm

Wow, these look awesome! I am going to have to remember to add them to my plan for next week.

~Emily~

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Casey @ Pocket Full of Sunshine January 18, 2012 at 5:31 pm

This sounds fantastic! Question—if I want to use store-bought taco seasoning (like a packet), how many tablespoons would I use?

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Jessica January 18, 2012 at 5:34 pm

It’s honestly hard to say because they tend to contain so much salt. I’d probably start at 1-2 teaspoons, then you can season it after cooking if it isn’t enough??

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Rachael S January 18, 2012 at 6:25 pm

these look and sound delish! Anything crockpot and I am a happy camper! Thanks for sharing I cant wait to try these.

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paige January 18, 2012 at 7:24 pm

Cant get any easier than this! Made it tonight. I put onions in the crock pot since I had a bunch. Mine still came out really liquidy but i just drained it and it still tasted good! Gotta love cooking in beer

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TeriLyn [a foodie stays fit] January 18, 2012 at 11:27 pm

it’s 10:30 at night and now i’m craving tacos desperately. thanks. a. lot. ;)

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denise January 19, 2012 at 10:22 am

i think chicken-beer-cheddar soup would be amazing and awesome, especially with super bowl (or souper-bowl) coming up. i’d love to see that recipe!

also, i made your roasted red pepper-whole wheat-fontina pizza for dinner last night- awesome (can’t wait to reheat it for lunch today)

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Kat Collins January 19, 2012 at 3:12 pm

Making this for dinner tomorrow night with friends! Having oozy, unctuous cheeses for dessert. Simply perfect. Tomorrow is National Cheese Lover’s Day!

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Lanie January 19, 2012 at 4:20 pm

So I’m sitting at work… not working obviously and checking on this recipe. I saw it a couple of days ago and didn’t read the recipe but just looked at your pictures. Before I left this morning I put two chicken breasts in the crock pot with a can of Bud Light and some hot sauce. Ha, it’s the unrefined version of yours I’m guessing it won’t turn out as well… How much time do you think I should leave it on for only two chick breasts?

I’ll blog about how it turns out ok!
fromgardenstatetogoldenstate.wordpress.com

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Jessica January 19, 2012 at 5:41 pm

I think you’ll be okay – every crockpot differs so I really can’t say until your see the finished result!

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Erika January 19, 2012 at 5:57 pm

I made these for dinner last night, they were a hugh hit and came out perfectly!

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Kaitlin @4loveofcarrots January 20, 2012 at 1:21 pm

I made these for dinner last night, soo good. Even better cold the next day over a salad!

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Anne Marie January 20, 2012 at 7:00 pm

Crockpot + cheddar + beer + chicken + tacos = my husband. It will also soon = me as wife of the year. Thank you for making me look good! :)

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Becky January 20, 2012 at 10:27 pm

Just made these tonight! They were awesome!

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Chris @ TheKeenanCookbook January 21, 2012 at 10:03 am

I like cookies, but I’d gladly take this for dinner over them. Soo goood :)

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Kare January 23, 2012 at 1:15 pm

Tried this with Corona, diced onion and pepper jack last night. The guys loved it! Thanks for the recipe.

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Lisa January 23, 2012 at 3:52 pm

All the seasonings you have listed are your taco seasoning? Or is there taco seasoning in addition to the cumin, chili powder, paprika, etc?

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Money4This Not4That January 23, 2012 at 11:21 pm

You had me at beer!!!

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Tracy January 24, 2012 at 12:43 pm

These are a perfect snack for the Super Bowl! Plus, you can never go wrong with beer in food. :-)

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Leslie January 24, 2012 at 11:27 pm

Umm chicken is thawing tonight, crockpot will be powered up tomorrow for total domination. Can’t wait to try this mothah!

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Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence January 26, 2012 at 2:58 am

Yes! A new crockpot chicken recipe :) I’m thinking this would be good topped with some quick pickled onions, crema and cilantro.

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Katie January 27, 2012 at 2:29 pm

I am e-mailing this to my boyfriend (who is at his crock-pot-equipped apartment taking a nap while I slave away at work) immediately! “Put beer, spices, and chicken in the crock pot” is a recipe I think even he can handle :)

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Jen February 6, 2012 at 10:33 am

I made this Saturday-SO easy & delicious!!!

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jessi February 19, 2012 at 9:53 pm

this recipe is AMAZING!! i made it for dinner the other night and it was pretty much the best thing ever, thanks for creating it!! :)

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