You can never go wrong with tacos, whether it’s turkey tacos, shrimp tacos with mango salsa, savory steak tacos, or these simple yet totally satisfying chicken tacos.
Chicken tacos are a popular recipe for good reason – the combination of warm and zesty chicken and tortillas with fresh toppings just can’t be beat. This is the ultimate speedy dinner for those nights where you just don’t know what to make! Looking for more taco inspiration? Check out my list of 10 chicken taco recipes!
How do you make chicken tacos?
Start by preparing the marinade for the chicken, which is a blend of taco seasoning, olive oil and lime juice. After the chicken soaks in the marinade, cook it then dice it into bite sized pieces. Place the chicken into warm tortillas along with shredded lettuce, grated cheese, pico de gallo and slices of avocado. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Tips for the perfect tacos
The chicken should sit in the marinade for at least 10 minutes, but if you have the time, it’s even better to let the chicken marinate for a longer period of time. You can keep your chicken in the marinade for up to 24 hours. I like to use my homemade taco seasoning for this recipe instead of the kind that comes in a packet. It takes just minutes to make and is full of flavor. You can saute, grill or broil your chicken thighs. I typically grill my chicken, either outdoors in the summer, or indoors on a grill pan during the colder months. Leftover cooked chicken stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 day. You can freeze the chicken for later use. Either freeze the raw chicken in a bag of marinade, then thaw and cook, or freeze the cooked chicken. I love the fresh flavor that the pico de gallo adds to these tacos. You can buy pre-made pico de gallo at the store, or make your own. These tacos also go well with pickled red onions as a topping. Serve your tacos with a side of pinto beans and rice for a complete meal.
Chicken Taco variations
There are many ways you can switch up the ingredients in this recipe to suit your preferences.
Protein: Instead of chicken thighs, try chicken breast, ground chicken, ground turkey, shrimp or steak. Tortillas: Swap out the flour tortillas for corn tortillas or crispy taco shells. Cheese: I typically use a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Other great options include cotija cheese, a Mexican style cheese blend or colby jack. Spicy: If you prefer your tacos with a kick, add some crushed red pepper flakes or ground chipotle pepper to the marinade.
What can you add to tacos?
The toppings listed in this recipe are just a suggestion. You can add as many toppings as you like to customize these tacos to your tastes.
Refried Beans Pickled Jalapenos Cilantro Green onions Black Beans Corn Sauteed Peppers Red Onions Sour Cream Olives Pinto Beans Cabbage
How much chicken do you need for tacos?
You can count on needing approximately 3 ounces of cooked chicken per person that you’re planning to feed. The chicken can be diced or shredded, depending on the formulation that you’re using. This assumes that each person will eat 2-3 tacos on average. Once you try these tacos, you’ll find them making their way onto your regular dinner rotation. They’re just that good!
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Chicken Tacos Video
