Irresistible Slow Cooker Chicken Birria Tacos with Savory Consommé

Embark on a culinary journey with these mouthwatering Slow Cooker Chicken Birria Tacos. Imagine tender, melt-in-your-mouth shredded chicken, slow-cooked to perfection in a rich, aromatic broth, then nestled inside pan-fried tortillas until golden and crispy with gooey melted cheese. The experience culminates with a side of intensely savory birria consommé, perfect for dipping each flavorful bite. This Tex-Mex sensation is not just a meal; it’s an adventure for your taste buds, promising a fun and unforgettable dinner that the entire family will adore.

If you’re as enamored with birria tacos as we are, explore our popular Beef Birria Tacos recipe or these equally delicious Pork Birria Tacos. For more incredible taco creations, don’t miss our Blackened Salmon Tacos, classic Chicken Tacos, or hearty Shredded Beef Tacos. There’s a taco for every craving!

Discover the Magic of Chicken Birria Tacos

Birria tacos have transcended from a regional Mexican specialty to a global food phenomenon, captivating food lovers with their deeply complex flavors and unique presentation. Once you try them, you instantly understand the hype. Our recipe for easy beef birria tacos, in particular, has become a fan favorite, a testament to the irresistible charm of this dish.

Traditionally hailing from Jalisco, Mexico, birria is a stew often made with goat or beef, slow-cooked in an intensely rich, savory, smoky, and subtly spicy broth infused with various chiles and spices. The magic truly happens when corn tortillas are briefly dipped into this flavorful consommé before being pan-fried until slightly crispy, then filled with shredded birria meat and generous amounts of melting cheese. Just like an Italian beef sandwich, these savory tacos are served with a side of the flavorful consommé, offering an unparalleled dipping experience that ensures every bite is bursting with robust taste.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Chicken Birria Taco Recipe

• Unbelievably Delicious Flavor Profile: This is the paramount reason—these tacos are truly out-of-this-world. The slow-cooked chicken absorbs an incredible depth of flavor from the smoky, savory, and slightly spicy consommé, creating a harmonious symphony of tastes that will have you reaching for just one more. The crispy, cheesy tortillas complement the tender chicken and rich dipping sauce perfectly.
• Effortless Preparation with a Slow Cooker: As with many slow cooker recipes, the hands-on prep time for this dish is remarkably minimal. You simply combine the ingredients, let your slow cooker work its magic for several hours, then shred the chicken, and assemble the tacos. It’s a fantastic option for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends when you want maximum flavor with minimum fuss.
• Perfect for Meal Prep & Freezer-Friendly: Both the flavorful shredded chicken and the aromatic consommé freeze exceptionally well. This makes it an ideal recipe for meal prepping, allowing you to enjoy delicious birria tacos anytime. Prepare a large batch and store portions for quick and easy future meals, ensuring you always have a gourmet Tex-Mex option at your fingertips.
• A Unique and Engaging Dining Experience: The act of dipping these crispy, cheesy tacos into the warm, flavorful consommé is more than just eating; it’s an interactive and satisfying culinary experience. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a fantastic conversation starter at any gathering.
• A Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you’re feeding a small family or hosting a large party, these chicken birria tacos are a guaranteed hit. Their customizable nature and universal appeal make them a perfect dish for any occasion.

Essential Ingredients for Authentic Chicken Birria Tacos

Crafting exceptional birria tacos begins with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the signature complex flavor of this Tex-Mex delight:

• Chicken: For the most succulent and flavorful results, we highly recommend using chicken thighs. Their higher fat content ensures they remain incredibly moist and tender during the long slow-cooking process, perfectly absorbing all the rich spices. While thighs are preferred for their superior flavor and texture, chicken breasts or even chicken tenders can also be used; just be mindful that breasts may become slightly drier and require a closer watch on cooking times.
• Onions: A foundational aromatic, white onion cut into large chunks will infuse the broth with a sweet, pungent base. These larger pieces are easy to strain out later, leaving you with a smooth consommé.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves provide an essential pungent and savory depth to the birria broth, a non-negotiable for authentic flavor.
• Bay Leaves: These dried leaves add a subtle, herbaceous note that enhances the overall aroma and complexity of the slow-cooked sauce.
• Classic Birria Seasoning Blend: The iconic flavor of birria comes from a thoughtful combination of spices. For this recipe, we use garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, dried Mexican oregano, and salt. Each spice contributes uniquely: garlic and onion powders build a savory foundation, cumin adds earthy warmth, and Mexican oregano provides a distinct citrusy and floral note. Feel free to add a pinch of chili flakes or a small amount of dried guajillo or ancho chiles (rehydrated and blended) for an extra layer of smoky heat and authenticity.
• Chipotle Sauce: This ingredient is crucial for that characteristic smoky heat. We use the rich, flavorful adobo sauce from canned chipotle peppers. If you desire a spicier kick, you can also blend in one or two of the actual chipotle peppers from the can.
• Chicken Broth: Provides the liquid base for slow cooking, ensuring the chicken stays submerged and absorbs all the wonderful flavors. For an even richer taste, you can substitute a portion of the chicken broth with beef broth, mimicking traditional birria’s deep savoriness.
• Corn Tortillas: Six-inch corn tortillas are the ideal size for these birria tacos, offering the perfect balance of crispiness and pliability when dipped and pan-fried. Their traditional flavor also complements the birria perfectly.
• Shredded Cheese: A key component for gooey, melty goodness. We prefer Monterey Jack cheese for its excellent melting properties and mild flavor that doesn’t overpower the birria. Other fantastic options include mozzarella cheese, authentic Oaxaca cheese, or mild Chihuahua cheese.
• Pico de Gallo: For a burst of fresh flavor and acidity, serve your tacos with store-bought or homemade Pico de Gallo or your favorite salsa. The fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice offer a delightful contrast to the rich meat.
• Fresh Limes: Always serve with fresh lime wedges. A squeeze of lime juice over the finished tacos brightens all the flavors and adds a zesty finish.
• Avocado Oil (or similar neutral oil): Essential for achieving that perfect crispy texture when pan-frying the tortillas. A high-smoke-point oil like avocado oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil works best.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Own Chicken Birria Tacos

Making these slow cooker chicken birria tacos is surprisingly straightforward, especially when broken down into these easy steps. Follow along to create a truly spectacular meal:

1. Initiate the Slow Cooker Birria: Begin by layering your chicken thighs evenly at the bottom of your slow cooker. Distribute the chunky onion pieces, whole garlic cloves, and bay leaves around the chicken. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and dried oregano. Sprinkle this fragrant seasoning blend generously over the chicken. Finally, pour in the rich chipotle sauce and chicken broth. Cover your slow cooker and cook on high for 3 hours, or on low for 5 hours, or until the chicken is exceptionally tender and easily pulls apart with a fork. The longer, slower cook time allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the chicken to reach peak tenderness.
2. Shred the Chicken to Perfection: Once the chicken is fully cooked and falls apart effortlessly, carefully remove it from the slow cooker, allowing any excess liquid to drip back into the pot. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Set the shredded chicken aside while you prepare the consommé.

3. Strain the Consommé: Using a fine-mesh strainer or a slotted spoon, carefully remove and discard the cooked onions, garlic cloves, and bay leaves from the rich birria broth. This strained liquid is your flavorful consommé, the essential dipping sauce for your tacos. Transfer it to a shallow bowl for easy access during taco assembly.
4. Assemble and Pan-Fry the Tacos: Heat a griddle or a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add a thin, even layer of avocado oil (or other high-smoke-point oil) to the hot surface. Take each corn tortilla and briefly dip both sides into the prepared chipotle chicken broth mixture—just enough to coat it without making it soggy. Place the moistened tortilla onto the hot griddle. Allow it to cook until it’s slightly crispy and develops a light golden hue, then flip it over. Immediately, add about 1/4 cup of shredded cheese and a few tablespoons of the shredded chicken onto one half of the tortilla. Once the cheese begins to melt and the tortilla is golden on the bottom, fold the taco in half, pressing gently. Continue to cook until both sides are beautifully crispy and the cheese is fully melted and slightly browned. Remove the finished taco from the heat and repeat the process with the remaining tortillas, chicken, and cheese. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the griddle, which can prevent proper crisping.
5. Serve and Enjoy Immediately: Once assembled, carefully open each crispy taco. Spoon in 1-2 tablespoons of fresh pico de gallo, garnish with a few sprigs of chopped cilantro, and finish with a refreshing spritz of fresh lime juice. The final, crucial step is to dip your glorious chicken birria taco into the remaining warm chipotle consommé. Serve these delightful tacos immediately to enjoy them at their absolute best.