Description
These chicken tacos are quick, flavorful, and perfect for any night of the week. Tender, seasoned chicken paired with fresh toppings and warm tortillas creates the ultimate crowd-pleasing meal. Customize them with your favorite toppings for a taco night everyone will love!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Juice of 1 lime
For Serving:
- 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- ½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend)
- ½ cup diced onion
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- ½ cup salsa or hot sauce
- Lime wedges
Instructions
Step 1: Season the Chicken
- In a small bowl, mix the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Rub the chicken breasts or thighs with olive oil and coat them evenly with the spice mixture.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken.
- Cook for about 5–6 minutes per side (depending on thickness) until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from the skillet and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing or shredding.
Step 3: Assemble the Tacos
- Place sliced or shredded chicken onto warmed tortillas.
- Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, onions, cheese, and cilantro.
- Add sour cream, salsa, or hot sauce as desired.
- Serve with lime wedges on the side for a zesty squeeze of flavor.
Notes
- Grill Option: For a smoky flavor, grill the chicken instead of cooking it on the stovetop.
- Short on Time? Use rotisserie chicken and mix it with the spices for a quick shortcut.
- Toppings Galore: Add avocado, guacamole, or pickled jalapeños for extra layers of flavor.
- Storage: Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Calories: ~200
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g