Get ready to transform your taco night forever. These Cream Cheese Chicken Tacos are the ultimate weeknight dinner solution—incredibly creamy, packed with flavor, and ridiculously easy to make. If you’re searching for a recipe that comes together in under 30 minutes and satisfies the whole family, you’ve found it. This one-pan wonder combines tender shredded chicken with a rich, savory cream cheese sauce, all tucked into warm tortillas. It’s a guaranteed hit!
We’re making the entire creamy chicken filling in a single skillet, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor. It’s a simple, straightforward recipe that delivers restaurant-quality tacos right in your own kitchen. Let’s dive in and make your new favorite taco recipe.
Your new favorite weeknight dinner is served!
Why This Cream Cheese Chicken Tacos Recipe is a Must-Try
This isn’t just another taco recipe; it’s a game-changer for busy weeknights. It’s designed to be simple, fast, and absolutely delicious, making it a perfect addition to your meal rotation.
Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of cream cheese, salsa, and taco seasoning creates a luscious, tangy, and perfectly spiced sauce that clings to every piece of shredded chicken.
Quick and Easy: From start to finish, this entire meal is ready in about 30 minutes. It’s the ideal dinner for when you’re short on time but don’t want to skimp on flavor. For more fast dinner ideas, check out our creamy garlic chicken.
Minimal Cleanup: The chicken and the creamy sauce are all cooked in one skillet. Fewer dishes mean more time enjoying your meal with your family.
Family-Friendly: This recipe is a certified crowd-pleaser. It’s mild enough for kids but flavorful enough for adults, making it one of our favorite kid-approved chicken recipes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to bring these creamy tacos to life. Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
Look at that creamy, delicious filling! These tacos are irresistible.
Chicken Breast: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are perfect here. They cook quickly and shred easily.
Taco Seasoning: Use your favorite store-bought packet or a homemade blend for a punch of classic taco flavor.
Cream Cheese: This is the secret ingredient! It melts into a rich, creamy sauce that makes these tacos unforgettable. Full-fat cream cheese will give you the best results.
Salsa: Your favorite jar of salsa adds moisture, tang, and a little bit of spice. Choose mild, medium, or hot depending on your preference.
Garlic & Onion Powder: These add a foundational layer of savory flavor that complements the other ingredients.
Chicken Broth: A little broth helps create the sauce and ensures the chicken stays moist as it cooks.
Tortillas: Small flour or corn tortillas work perfectly. Use whichever you prefer!
Toppings: Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cilantro, shredded cheese, and a squeeze of lime are all fantastic options.
Step-by-Step Instructions for The Perfect Tacos
Follow these simple steps to create the most delicious Cream Cheese Chicken Tacos. It’s a straightforward process that yields amazing results every time.
Cook the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts on both sides with taco seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Shred the Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
Create the Creamy Sauce: Return the skillet to medium heat. Add the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add the block of cream cheese and salsa, stirring continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
Combine and Simmer: Return the shredded chicken to the skillet and stir until it’s completely coated in the creamy sauce. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Assemble Your Tacos: Warm your tortillas according to the package directions. Spoon a generous amount of the cream cheese chicken filling into each tortilla. Add your favorite toppings and serve immediately!
Pro Tips for the Best Creamy Chicken Tacos
Use Full-Fat Cream Cheese: For the richest, creamiest sauce, use a full-fat block of cream cheese. Low-fat versions can sometimes result in a thinner sauce.
Shred Chicken While Warm: Chicken is much easier to shred when it’s still warm from the pan.
Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Overcooking can make it tough and dry.
Warm Your Tortillas: This small step makes a huge difference! Warming your tortillas makes them softer, more pliable, and more flavorful. You can warm them in a dry skillet, in the microwave, or directly over a gas flame for a slight char.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also incredibly versatile. Feel free to customize it to your liking!
Make it Spicy: Add a chopped jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce for an extra kick of heat.
Crockpot Version: Place the chicken, taco seasoning, and salsa in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Shred the chicken, then stir in the cream cheese until melted and creamy.
Add Beans or Corn: Stir in a can of drained black beans or corn at the end for extra texture and fiber.
The best part of tacos is the toppings! Set up a taco bar and let everyone build their own perfect taco.
Classic Topping Ideas:
Shredded Lettuce
Diced Tomatoes
Chopped Red Onion or Pickled Onions
Fresh Cilantro
Shredded Monterey Jack or Cheddar Cheese
Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt
Sliced Avocado or Guacamole
A fresh squeeze of Lime Juice
Serve these tacos with a side of Spanish rice and black beans for a complete and satisfying meal. And if you’re planning a full feast, why not bake some garlic butter breadsticks to start?
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Leftover cream cheese chicken filling can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place the filling in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen it up. Stir until warmed through. Avoid using the microwave if possible, as it can make the sauce separate. Due to the cream cheese, freezing is not recommended as it can alter the texture of the sauce.
Yes! To make this in a crockpot, add the chicken breasts, taco seasoning, and salsa to your slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. Once cooked, shred the chicken and stir in the softened cream cheese until it’s fully melted and combined.
These tacos are delicious with a variety of toppings. Some popular choices include shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, fresh cilantro, shredded cheese (like Monterey Jack or cheddar), sour cream, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Store any leftover cream cheese chicken filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s not recommended to freeze the filling, as the cream cheese sauce may separate and become grainy upon thawing.
Absolutely. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs would be a great substitute. They may require a few extra minutes of cooking time, but they will result in very tender and flavorful meat.
You can use either small flour or corn tortillas for this recipe. Flour tortillas are soft and flexible, while corn tortillas offer a more traditional flavor. Be sure to warm them before serving for the best texture.
More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love
We hope you loved these amazing Cream Cheese Chicken Tacos! This recipe proves that you don’t need a lot of time to create a spectacular meal. If you tried it, please leave a comment below and let us know what you think. Don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest!
Save this recipe for the easiest, creamiest chicken tacos you'll ever make!
Cream Cheese Chicken Tacos
FL Recipes
Cream Cheese Chicken Tacos (The Easiest, Creamiest Recipe!)
These Cream Cheese Chicken Tacos are the ultimate weeknight dinner! Tender shredded chicken is coated in a rich, savory cream cheese and salsa sauce, ready in under 30 minutes. The perfect easy, creamy, and flavorful meal.
Season the chicken breasts on both sides with taco seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (165°F).
Remove the chicken from the skillet to a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat.
Return the skillet to medium heat. Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan. Add the softened cream cheese and salsa, stirring until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Add the shredded chicken back into the skillet. Stir well to coat all the chicken in the sauce. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes for the flavors to meld.
Warm the tortillas. Fill each tortilla with the cream cheese chicken mixture and add your favorite toppings. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 450kcalProtein: 40gFat: 25gFiber: 3g
Notes
Full-Fat Cream Cheese: For the creamiest and richest sauce, it's best to use full-fat block cream cheese. Storage: Store leftover filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
