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Reinventing taco night with these Slow Cooker Chipotle Orange Street Tacos. Shredded chicken (or pork) in a sweet and spicy chipotle orange sauce, all made in the slow cooker or instant pot. Done up right with lime smashed avocado, cheese, and a little spicy pineapple slaw, for the best “street” tacos at home, any night of the week.
I’m constantly on the lookout for new taco inspiration. They’re one of my favorite foods, not only to make, but to share with you guys! I’ve said many times over, tacos are one of those childhood foods that I’ll always love. My dad would make ground beef tacos on a weekly basis. And to this day the idea of a taco dinner still delights me. Of course, I’ve upped my taco game since my youth, by sharing what I think are some pretty incredible tacos. Like these delicious vegetarian mushroom tacos, these tropical fish tacos, and my taco salad from a couple of weeks ago.
You see? It’s safe to say I really do love a good taco. Which brings me to today’s street tacos. These tacos were very much inspired by the tacos you might find on the streets of southern California. Or maybe even all the way down from the calles de Mexico. It’s a little hard for me to say for sure, as I’ve only been to one area of Mexico, and oddly, I didn’t have any tacos!
Basically, what I’m trying to say, is that this recipe is my take on street tacos. And they’re healthy, easy, and beyond good.
I wanted to develop a taco that was sweet, spicy, and a little tangy. But without added sugars and ingredients that just aren’t necessary. I also wanted to share a taco recipe that could be quickly thrown together. Either in the morning before work, or when in a pinch, after work.
And that’s where these tacos come into play. I threw a few chicken breasts into my slow cooker. Then I added in onions, garlic, spices, chipotle peppers, and my favorite Florida’s Natural® Brand Orange Juice (which I love because it’s made with only Florida oranges, no added sugar or artificial ingredients). I cooked everything together low and slow until the chicken was falling apart and extra flavorful. The chipotle peppers give the chicken that spicy, smoky, authentic Mexican flavor. And the sweet and tangy orange juice helps not only to balance the heat, but also keeps the chicken from drying out.
No street taco is complete without a little slaw, so I mixed up a very simple one with colorful purple cabbage and pineapple. The slaw adds just the right amount of crunch. Every bite is bursting with sweet pineapple and a little spice from the fresh jalapeños. The perfect colorful topping for any taco. But especially perfect if you’re trying to get in some more vegetables this January!
And finally, I finished each taco off with avocado, and yes, a little bit of cheese too. Both are musts in my book.
If you make these chipotle orange street tacos, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Slow Cooker Chipotle Orange Street Tacos.
Servings: 6 6
Calories Per Serving: 581 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs or pork shoulder
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 6 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2-4 chipotle peppers in adobo, chopped
- 1/2 cup Florida’s Natural® Brand Orange Juice
- juice of 1 lime
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- corn or flour tortillas, queso fresco, and mashed avocado, for serving
Spicy Pineapple Slaw
- 2 cups shredded purple cabbage
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
- 1 jalapeño, chopped, and seeded, if desired
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- juice of 1 lime
- kosher salt
Instructions
Slow Cooker
- 1. In the bowl of your slow cooker, combine the chicken, onion, garlic, oregano, salt, chipotle peppers, and orange juice. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 4-6 hours. Once the chicken is done cooking, shred with two forks and stir in the lime juice and cilantro. 2. To make the slaw, in a bowl, combine the cabbage, pineapple, jalapeño, cilantro, olive oil, vinegar, lime juice, and a pinch of salt.3. Stuff the chicken into the warmed taco shells and top with slaw, cheese, and mashed avocado. Enjoy!
Instant Pot
- 1. In the bowl of your instant pot, combine the chicken, onion, garlic, oregano, salt, chipotle peppers, and orange juice. Cover and cook on high pressure/manual for 10 minutes. Once done cooking, use the natural or quick release function and release the steam. Shred with two forks and stir in the lime juice and cilantro. Follow steps 2 and 3 above.
{This post is sponsored by Florida’s Natural. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Half Baked Harvest cooking!!}
I added a tablespoon of brown sugar to the crockpot to help cut the heat of the chipotles. I also reserved some of the sauce, to which I added extra orange juice and another pinch of sugar. I reduced it by half and added it to the shredded chicken. My family won’t touch pineapple slaw, so I subbed a bag of chopped cheddar-chipotle salad (with dressing). We liked it so much that I’m adding this edited recipe to our monthly menu rotation. Thanks for sharing it!
Wow that is so amazing to hear! Thank you for trying this Angel! xTieghan
These were AMAZING! I made them when we had friends over for dinner. We enjoyed your chocolate dipped peanut butter cookie ice cream sandwich recipe for dessert….YUM!!
YUM! I am so glad you enjoyed these Lisa! Thank you! xTieghan
These were amazing – will make them again tomorrow! 😀
I love to hear that! Thank you so much Aline! xTieghan
Could I substitute mango for pineapple?
HI Anna! Yes, mangos will be delicious! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
Made this last week. Turned out great, Loved the slaw, I used angel hair green cabbage from a bag.
Thank you so much Cindy! xTieghan
Oh my god! They were fantastic! I don’t really like pineapple and found this slaw is amazing! So fresh and bright. This is definitely going to be enjoyed many times this summer! With fresh margaritas too!
YES! I am so glad you loved this recipe, Tristin! Thank you! xTieghan
If I use pork shoulder would you recommend cooking it whole in the crock pot or cutting it?
Thanks so excited to make this!
-Hayley
HI! I would cook the pork whole, just add an hour or so of cooking time depending on the size of the pork. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
Excited to try these they look delicious! I recently found your blog and all of the dishes look amazing. Question about the nutrition facts. Are these only for he chicken and slaw or are the tortillas included? Thanks!
Hey Meg! The tortillas are included! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
These were *so* good. I used a cubed up pork butt and the flavors were perfect. I crisped it up under the broiler after slow cooking. I’m excited to try it with chicken next.
Thank you so much Alyssia! I am so glad you enjoyed this and I hope you love it with chicken! xTieghan
We really enjoyed this one! First night as tacos, and then the rest of the week for lunches at bowls. I added black bean/quinoa mix for the bowls, and it was delicious!
Yum! I am so glad these turned out so well for you, Simone! Thank you! xTieghan
I think I added too much OJ. The flavor was good but I think next time I will attempt to cook this on the stove & simmer the chicken
Hi Emily! I hope you try this again with less and hopefully it turns out better! Do you have any questions I could answer? xTieghan
This was so good and flavorful. I was worried cooking the chicken in the orange juice would be sour but the flavors in the slaw balance everything out. Going to double the chicken next time and freeze it!
Thank you Dawn! xTieghan
I haven’t made these yet, but I’m still giving this recipe 5 stars. All your other recipes are amazing! Quick question on these tacos. How many tacos can I get out of these recipe? Thanks!
Hi there! This will make enough for about 6-8 tacos! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
Had to come back and rate after making. They were delicious! The pineapple slaw was a gorgeous compliment,and the chicken was slow cooked to tender perfection. Will definitely make again!
Hi Aline! Thank you so much! I am so glad these tacos turned out amazing for you and I hope you love other recipes as well! xTieghan
Super yummy! Everyone loved it!
Thank you so much Jenna! I am so glad everyone loved this! xTieghan