Try our amazing Braised Chicken Tacos – they’re easy to make and packed with big, bold flavors. Using a whole chicken, this recipe offers a hands-off approach, perfect for busy cooks. You can cook these tacos in a Dutch oven on the stovetop or on a pellet grill. Experience a bold and delicious taste with a combination of white and dark meat. A flavorful braising liquid infused with herbs marinates the meat.
Easy Braised Chicken Tacos Recipe
Braised Chicken Tacos are the definition of simplicity and flavor. This recipe is great for all cooks, whether beginners or experienced. It uses a Dutch oven to turn a whole chicken into tasty taco filling. Using a whole chicken makes it easier and adds both white and dark meat for better flavor.
Preparing the meat is simple. The spices and herbs infuse into it without much effort. This taco filling is flavorful and great for family dinners or casual get-togethers. It’s spicy and savory.
These tacos stand out because of their versatility. They can be made on the stovetop or on a pellet grill for an added smoky flavor. This adaptability makes it a go-to recipe for any season. You can make the recipe gluten-free by using corn tortillas. It can also be a low-carb, keto-friendly chicken taco salad.
The Braised Chicken Tacos are perfect for different diets and cooking abilities. The recipe has clear instructions for all, from experienced cooks to kitchen novices. This recipe is easy and packed with delicious flavors, perfect for taco lovers to try.
Why you’ll love this dish…
- Easy: The recipe is easy to prepare. You use a Dutch oven for simple cooking. It’s great for busy schedules.
- Flavorful: The chicken tastes delicious because it’s made with white and dark meat, herbs, and seasonings.
- Versatile: Catering to different cooking preferences, you can prepare it on the stovetop or on a pellet grill.
- Diet-Friendly: This recipe is diet-friendly and can be made gluten-free with corn tortillas. It can also be turned into a low-carb, keto-friendly chicken taco salad.
Get all of my Tacos here!
Braised Chicken Tacos shopping list
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Whole chicken
- Salt
- Onion powder
- Granulated garlic
- Chicken stock
- Serrano chili peppers
- Jalapeño peppers
- Bell pepper
- Poblano pepper
- Onion
- Garlic cloves
- Bay leaf
Try with some Cilantro Lime Rice!
How to make Braised Chicken Tacos
This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
1
Season
Remove any giblets from the chicken and season with the salt, pepper, and onion powder.
2
Braise
Put the chicken into the Dutch oven along with the broth, peppers, onion, garlic, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer and cover. Let braise for 1-2 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
3
Shred
Remove from the liquid and let cook for a bit. Shred with meat claws or two forks. Mix in some of the braising liquid with the pulled chicken.
4
Serve
Load up some chicken into tortillas and with your favorite toppings.
5
Enjoy!
This braised chicken is amazing for tacos, burritos, nachos, burrito bowls, taco salads, and so much more.
Our Homemade Salasa Verde is perfect for this!
Braised Chicken Tacos FAQ
Can this recipe be made in advance?
Absolutely! This is a great recipe for meal prepping. You can make these a few days in advance for a quick dinner option, or some easy lunches all week long.
What’s the best way to store and reheat this dish?
I like to store this dish in some of the braising liquid in a covered dish in the fridge. It will keep for 3-4 days, easily, giving you lots of opportunities to enjoy this tender, juicy, delicious chicken for days.
Substitutions and Variations
You can substitute different types of peppers in the braising dish if you’d like. You can throw in some tomatillos too, for good measure. I like a few squeezes of lime in the shredded chicken at the end before serving. It adds some brightness to the whole dish that’s very nice.
A big scoop of Homemade Guacamole would be great with these tacos!
Serve this with…
More great recipes to love!
- Blackstone Mexican Pizza
- Mexican Fried Rice
- Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
- Smoked Shredded Beef Burritos
- Smoked Chicken Burrito Bowls
- Smoked Cider-Braised Pork Burritos
- Traeger Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
- Shredded Beef Enchiladas
Braised Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 6 pound chicken
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 6 cups chicken stock
- 2 serrano chili peppers, sliced
- 2 jalapeño peppers, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 poblano pepper, sliced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Season the chicken with salt, onion powder, and granulated garlic.
- Put your whole chicken into the Dutch oven.
- Pour the chicken stock into the pot and add the peppers, onion, garlic, and bay leaf to the braising liquid.
- Cover and turn the heat to medium. You want the liquid to be at a low simmer, so adjust your heat accordingly.
- Cook the chicken for 1-2 hours until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Once cooked, carefully remove the meat from the carcass and shred it. Mix in some of the braising liquid with the meat.
- Serve hot in your favorite tortillas with all the fixings.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 832Total Fat: 47gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 29gCholesterol: 325mgSodium: 1030mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 87g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate.
Nicole Johnson
Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.
lynn
Tuesday 16th of January 2024
Ahhhh, you are speaking straight to this taco-loving girl's heart! The meat was delicious and tender, a big hit with my family. Thanks for sharing.
Pearl
Tuesday 16th of January 2024
Made this marinade for a quick weeknight dinner. The combination of white and dark meat gives a nice texture. My mom said she would like to try it again!
Chris
Monday 15th of January 2024
Our family loves tacos. They were gone in an instant. Adding this to my favorite recipes.
Jessica
Monday 15th of January 2024
I love tacos and I always look for taco recipes that my family can enjoy especially every weekend. This didn't disappoint. I made this for my family and they finished the entire batch I made. That's how good this recipe is!
Terrence C.
Monday 15th of January 2024
We couldn't wait until Taco Tuesday to make these tacos because they looked so good. Made them over the weekend in my Dutch Oven. They came out so delicious. We added tomatillos to these tacos, as you suggest and it gave them a nice tangy flavor. The kids devoured them so quickly. Definitely making them again.