Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Tacos

Blog written by Laura Hearn, Nutrition Assistant in The Clear Skin Solution + Recipe by Katie Stewart, RHN

Standing in the kitchen at 6 PM, exhausted and overwhelmed, trying to figure out dinner – we’ve all felt the stress of this daily challenge. But these everyday moments are exactly where positive changes can begin. The beauty of these slow cooker pulled chicken tacos isn’t just in their simplicity – it’s in how they create space in your life for the restorative practices that nourish both body and mind. Because sometimes, the best thing you can do for yourself is to slow down, breathe, and let your kitchen tools do the heavy lifting!

The Stress-Skin Connection

Here’s something you might have noticed – when life gets overwhelming, your skin is often the first to show it. Stress triggers our bodies to produce more cortisol, which kicks our oil glands into overdrive. Add in stress-induced food choices and irregular eating patterns, which can further fuel inflammatory responses throughout the body.

During stressful periods, our bodies experience:

• Increased cortisol production, leading to excess oil production
• Compromised skin barrier function
• Slower wound healing
• Increased inflammatory response
• Disrupted sleep patterns that affect skin repair
• Decreased nutrient absorption

We have an entire podcast episode dedicated to stress acne if you want to learn more about these connections.

The Beauty of Set-It-and-Forget-It Cooking

When life gets hectic, our bodies feel it first. But here’s the beautiful thing about using tools like your slow cooker – while your dinner practically makes itself, you can use those extra minutes for activities that activate your vagus nerve, your body’s relaxation superhighway. This powerful nerve connects your brain to your digestive system and plays a key role in reducing inflammation and stress throughout your body. Here are some vagus nerve-supporting activities you can do while dinner cooks:

• Take slow, deep breaths with a longer exhale
• Practice gentle yoga, especially forward folds and child’s pose
• Hum, sing, or gargle
• Get in an extra hour of sleep
• Take time to sit and mindfully enjoy your meal
• Give yourself a gentle face massage while applying your skincare routine
• Practice meditation or progressive muscle relaxation

Remember: When you support your nervous system through these activities, you’re creating an environment for your whole body – including your digestive system – to function at its best.

Set Yourself Up for Success: Kitchen Tool Tips

One of the biggest barriers to stress-free cooking is not having your tools readily available. Let’s be honest – if your slow cooker is buried in the basement or your Instant Pot is hidden away in a storage closet, you’re less likely to use them. Here are some practical tips:

• Keep your most-used appliances (slow cooker, Instant Pot, food processor) easily accessible on your counter or in a nearby cabinet
• Create a dedicated “meal prep station” in your kitchen where tools are within arm’s reach
• Consider investing in multiple sizes of your favorite tools – a mini food processor for quick jobs, a larger one for batch cooking
• Store similar tools together (pressure cooking tools, food prep tools, etc.) for easy access when you need them

Remember, every step you take to reduce stress in your daily routine is a step toward better overall wellness. Having your kitchen tools ready and accessible means you’re more likely to choose healthy, home-cooked meals over inflammatory convenience foods.

More Stress-Free Recipes You’ll Love

Looking for more ways to support your skin while keeping cooking stress-free? Check out these other nourishing recipes that let your kitchen tools do the work:

• Instant Pot Lentil Coconut Curry
• Slow Cooker Meatballs
• Slow Cooker Roast Beef
• Healthy Beef Chili

Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Tacos

These slow cooker pulled chicken tacos offer a simple, stress-free dinner solution, to nourish both the skin and mind.

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Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 lbs boneless (skinless chicken breasts)
• 1 cup salsa (your choice of mild, medium, or hot)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 small onion (diced)

For the Taco Seasoning:

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For Serving:

• Siete grain-free taco shells
• Lime wedges
• 1-2 avocados (sliced)
• Pickled onions

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken:

• Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
• Add the salsa, tomato paste, and diced onion on top of the chicken.
• Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the chicken mixture. If using a homemade taco seasoning, combine all the spices in a small bowl before sprinkling over the chicken.

Cook:

• Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

Shred the Chicken:

• Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker, mixing it well with the sauce.

Assemble the Tacos:

• Warm the Siete taco shells according to the package instructions.
• Fill each taco shell with the pulled chicken mixture.
• Top with slices of avocado, pickled onions, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Serve and Enjoy:

• Serve the tacos immediately with extra lime wedges on the side.