Baja Chicken Tacos

You’ve got questions? I’ve got answers! If you have a question you don’t see listed below, please drop them in the comments section. I’m happy to help when I can! 

Baja sauce is a creamy, sweet and spicy sauce typically served with Baja fish tacos. If the sauce sounds familiar, it’s probably because you’ve heard of the popular condiment from the fast-food restaurant Taco Bell. Their baja sauce adorns various items, such as tacos and chalupas. However, this thick and creamy sauce isn’t just limited to Mexican food and tacos. Honestly, it tastes good on any dish that could use a dose of cool, creamy, slightly spicy flavor.

Traditional baja sauce for chicken tacos is usually made up of mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice and spices. My version of this sauce includes jalapeños, cilantro and honey for added flavor. The resulting Baja sauce is so unbelievably delicious and bursting with balanced flavor.

Beer’s main role when it comes to cooking chicken is to tenderize the meat. Alcohol enhances the ability of salt and spices to penetrate the chicken meat, which results in a juicier, more flavorful chicken.

While the beer does provide a little bit of flavor, about 95% of the alcohol will cook out of the chicken during the slow-braising process. Meaning, you will not actually taste the beer. Nor will there be enough alcohol in the shredded chicken to get you drunk.

Once you have cooked your chicken in the crockpot or slow cooker, it’s time to shred it. You can either shred the chicken and use it right away, or store it for later use in other recipes.

• Two Forks:  Use two forks to pull the chicken apart into long pieces.
• Stand or Hand Mixer:  A mixer is the easiest way to shred chicken. Place the chicken in a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer. Then, mix on low speed until the chicken breaks into shreds. Be careful not to mix on a high speed, as the chicken can become tough if roughly broken apart.
• Don’t want to shred? If you don’t want to shred the chicken, you can also use a sharp chef’s knife to slice or dice the chicken!

Warming the tortilla makes them soft, pliable and easy to fold. This is why I highly recommend warming the tortillas before stuffing them with fillings. There are a few different methods for warming tortillas at home. All of the methods below work well for both flour and corn tortillas – either homemade or store-bought.

• Gas Flame on Stovetop: Place a tortilla directly over the gas flame on your stovetop and heat, rotating frequently, until charred all over. (This is the method I usually use.)
• Skillet on Stovetop: Place a tortilla in a hot skillet and cook on the stovetop, flipping as necessary, until charred and warm.
• Oven: Preheat your oven to 350-degrees Fahrenheit. Wrap your tortillas in aluminum foil and place in the oven until warm. (This is the best method for warming big batches.)
• Microwave: Wrap the tortillas with a damp paper towel and heat in the microwave until warm.

This shredded chicken in beer recipe is extremely versatile! You can serve the chicken as an entrée with vegetables and rice or noodles. Or, you can use it to make tacos and burritos!

However, I definitely recommend making a double batch so you can keep some on hand in the refrigerator or freezer. This chicken is a saving grace when you need a quick and easy weeknight dinner!

Pro-Tip:  The chicken does not have a distinct beer flavor, so it can be used in the same way you would use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken.

• Soups, Stews & Chilis: You can use chicken in any soup, stew or chili that calls for cooked chicken. I love stirring it to this beer cheese soup recipe.
• Sandwiches: Mix chicken with some of your favorite barbecue sauce and serve it on a toasted bun or cheddar beer bread with refrigerator pickles.
• Salads: Add chicken to the top of a big green garden salad, Mexican avocado salad, or Mexican beans salad for added protein.
• Creamy Chicken Salad: Use the chicken to make your favorite creamy chicken salad recipes.
• Grain, Noodle or Burrito Bowls: Prepare your favorite grain or noodle, top with roasted or grilled vegetables, chicken and your favorite sauce.
• Nachos: Layer tortilla chips with cheese, chicken and whatever nacho fixings you like. Bake in the oven until the cheese is melty.
• Stuffed Baked Potatoes: Bake a few potatoes and stuff them with chicken, cheese and sour cream.
• Casseroles: Use chicken in any casserole that calls for cooked or rotisserie chicken.
• Chicken Pot Pie: Make your favorite comforting pot pie the easy way by using this chicken.
• Stir-Fry: Create a delicious stir-fry in a flash with your favorite vegetables and cooked chicken.
• Tacos, Enchiladas, Burritos & Quesadillas: Use chicken as a filling for your favorite Mexican dish.
• Pastas and Pasta Bakes: Prepare your favorite pasta dish and add chicken for an easy protein boost! (chicken Alfredo, chicken spaghetti, chicken tetrazzini)