Crockpot Cheddar Beer Chicken Tacos

I am not the biggest beer fan. If fact, up until recently I didn't drink it at all.

However, I have always been a fan of food. 

This chicken is really, truly delicious. The subtle taste of beer, the slight hint of cheddar, and very distinct spices that blend together perfectly; a blend so harmonious it almost sings right off the plate. The recipe calls for any beer, but I chose to use Leinenkugel's Honey Weiss. Since I don't know what other beers taste like in the recipe, I can't make an exact call but my educated guess is that it was a FANTABULOUS choice. 

The Beer

The Chicken

The Taco

 [taco seasoning adapted from allrecipes]

serves 4+

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

3/4 cup beer (an amber ale)* I had a heavy hand...can add more

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

1 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese + more for topping

taco shells

your favorite toppings: sour cream, avocado, cilantro, salsa, chopped onion, black beans, shredded lettuce, cheese, guacamole, 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 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!

-Sweet Sarah 

Recipe from How Sweet it is