Description
These flavorful chicken tacos are a quick and easy Mexican-inspired meal perfect for weeknight dinners. Tender chicken breasts or thighs are seasoned with a smoky spice blend, cooked to juicy perfection, and served on warm tortillas with your choice of fresh toppings like avocado, shredded lettuce, and salsa.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Spice Mix
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Juice of 1 lime
Tortillas
- 8 small corn or flour tortillas
Optional Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Chopped onions
- Avocado slices
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare the Spice Mix: In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to create a uniform spice blend.
- Season the Chicken: Rub the prepared spice mixture evenly over the chicken breasts or thighs, ensuring all surfaces are coated. For enhanced flavor, you may marinate the chicken with the lime juice and spices for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken pieces. Cook for approximately 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until the chicken is cooked through and has a golden-brown exterior.
- Rest and Slice: Remove the chicken from heat and allow it to rest for a few minutes. Then, slice or shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the top for added brightness.
- Warm the Tortillas: Heat the tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds each side or microwave them wrapped in a damp paper towel for 20-30 seconds until warm and pliable.
- Assemble the Tacos: Place portions of the cooked chicken on each warm tortilla. Add your desired toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, chopped onions, avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, and chopped cilantro.
- Serve: Serve the tacos immediately while warm for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken in the spice mix and lime juice for 30 minutes prior to cooking to deepen the flavor.
- Grilling the chicken instead of cooking on the stovetop adds a delicious smoky flavor.
- Use corn tortillas for a gluten-free option; flour tortillas contain gluten.
- Customize toppings to suit dietary preferences or ingredient availability.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
