13 Delicious Chicken Taco Recipes
When it comes to Mexican cuisine, there’s no denying the popularity of tacos. Whether it’s classic street food or a gourmet twist, tacos are a staple in many cuisines. Among the various types of tacos, chicken tacos are a clear favorite. With their crispy shells, flavorful fillings, and zesty toppings, chicken tacos are a delight to both the taste buds and the senses. From spicy and smoky to sweet and tangy, the possibilities are endless. In this article, we will explore 13 mouth-watering chicken taco recipes that will take your taco game to the next level.
Spicy Chicken Tacos with Pineapple Salsa
The combination of juicy chicken, crunchy pineapple, and spicy kick is a match made in heaven. This recipe involves marinating chicken in a mixture of chili powder, lime juice, and spices before grilling it to perfection. Meanwhile, the pineapple salsa is a symphony of flavors, with diced pineapple, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice all coming together to create a sweet, spicy, and tangy flavor profile. To finish, assemble the tacos with the grilled chicken, pineapple salsa, diced radish, and a sprinkle of queso fresco.
Equipment
– Grill or grill pan
– Large bowl for marinating
– Cutting board
– Knife
– Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1/4 cup lime juice
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon chili powder
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
– 1/4 teaspoon paprika
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– 8 corn tortillas
– Pineapple salsa (see below)
– Radishes, sliced
– Queso fresco, crumbled
Servings
4-6 tacos
Chipotle-Lime Chicken Tacos
Smoky chipotle peppers in adobo sauce add a deep, complex flavor to these tacos. Chicken thighs are first marinated in a mixture of lime juice, garlic, and chipotle peppers before being grilled to perfection. Meanwhile, a drizzle of crema and a sprinkle of diced cilantro add a rich, creamy texture. Assemble the tacos with the grilled chicken, crema, diced cilantro, and diced onion.
Equipment
– Grill or grill pan
– Large bowl for marinating
– Cutting board
– Knife
– Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
– 1/4 cup lime juice
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– 8 corn tortillas
– Crema, for serving
– Cilantro, chopped
– Onion, diced
Servings
4-6 tacos
Chicken Tinga Tacos with Pickled Onions
Shredded chicken is slow-cooked in a smoky chipotle tomato sauce before being wrapped in warm tortillas. Meanwhile, pickled onions add a tangy, crunchy texture to the tacos. Assemble the tacos with the shredded chicken, pickled onions, diced cilantro, and a sprinkle of queso fresco.
Equipment
– Large skillet
– Grill or grill pan
– Cutting board
– Knife
– Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
– 1 can diced tomatoes
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– 8 corn tortillas
– Pickled onions (see below)
– Cilantro, chopped
– Queso fresco, crumbled
Servings
4-6 tacos
Buffalo Chicken Tacos with Blue Cheese Crumbles
For a spicy twist on traditional tacos, buffalo chicken is the way to go. Shredded chicken is tossed in a spicy buffalo sauce before being wrapped in warm tortillas. Meanwhile, crumbled blue cheese adds a tangy, creamy texture to the tacos. Assemble the tacos with the buffalo chicken, blue cheese crumbles, diced cilantro, and a drizzle of ranch dressing.
Equipment
– Large skillet
– Cutting board
– Knife
– Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
– 1 cup shredded blue cheese
– 8 corn tortillas
– Ranch dressing, for serving
– Cilantro, chopped
Servings
4-6 tacos
Crispy Chicken Taco Bowls
For a twist on traditional tacos, try serving them in a bowl. Crispy fried chicken is topped with diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and a drizzle of sour cream. Meanwhile, a sprinkle of diced cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice add a fresh, zesty flavor to the dish.
Equipment
– Large skillet
– Cutting board
– Knife
– Measuring cups and spoons
– Oven or deep fryer
Ingredients
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– Vegetable oil, for frying
– 4 cups shredded lettuce
– 2 cups diced tomatoes
– Sour cream, for serving
– Cilantro, chopped
Servings
4-6 bowls
Creamy Avocado Chicken Tacos
Mashed avocado adds a rich, creamy texture to these tacos. Chicken breasts are first marinated in a mixture of lime juice, garlic, and cumin before being grilled to perfection. Meanwhile, diced avocado is mashed with lime juice and cumin to create a creamy sauce. Assemble the tacos with the grilled chicken, mashed avocado, diced cilantro, and a sprinkle of queso fresco.
Equipment
– Grill or grill pan
– Large bowl for marinating
– Cutting board
– Knife
– Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1/4 cup lime juice
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon cumin
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– 8 corn tortillas
– Avocado, diced
– Queso fresco, crumbled
– Cilantro, chopped
Servings
4-6 tacos
Sriracha Garlic Chicken Tacos
For a spicy twist on traditional tacos, try adding sriracha peppers to the mix. Chicken breasts are first marinated in a mixture of sriracha sauce, garlic, and lime juice before being grilled to perfection. Meanwhile, diced radish adds a crunchy texture to the tacos. Assemble the tacos with the grilled chicken, diced radish, and a drizzle of sriracha sauce.
Equipment
– Grill or grill pan
– Large bowl for marinating
– Cutting board
– Knife
– Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1/4 cup sriracha sauce
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon lime juice
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– 8 corn tortillas
– Radishes, sliced
– Sriracha sauce, for serving
Servings
4-6 tacos
Honey-Lime Grilled Chicken Tacos
For a sweet and tangy twist on traditional tacos, try adding honey to the mix. Chicken breasts are first marinated in a mixture of honey, lime juice, and garlic before being grilled to perfection. Meanwhile, diced cilantro adds a fresh flavor to the tacos. Assemble the tacos with the grilled chicken, diced cilantro, and a drizzle of honey.
Equipment
– Grill or grill pan
– Large bowl for marinating
– Cutting board
– Knife
– Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1/4 cup honey
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon lime juice
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– 8 corn tortillas
– Cilantro, chopped
– Honey, for serving
Servings
4-6 tacos
Coconut Curry Chicken Tacos
For a unique twist on traditional tacos, try serving them with coconut curry sauce. Chicken breasts are first marinated in a mixture of coconut milk, curry powder, and lime juice before being grilled to perfection. Meanwhile, diced cilantro adds a fresh flavor to the tacos. Assemble the tacos with the grilled chicken, coconut curry sauce, and diced cilantro.
Equipment
– Grill or grill pan
– Large bowl for marinating
– Cutting board
– Knife
– Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1/4 cup coconut milk
– 2 tablespoons curry powder
– 1 tablespoon lime juice
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– 8 corn tortillas
– Coconut curry sauce (see below)
– Cilantro, chopped
Servings
4-6 tacos
Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Tacos
For a bright and citrusy twist on traditional tacos, try adding lemon juice to the mix. Chicken breasts are first marinated in a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, and herbs before being grilled to perfection. Meanwhile, diced onion adds a crunchy texture to the tacos. Assemble the tacos with the grilled chicken, diced onion, and a sprinkle of lemon zest.
Equipment
– Grill or grill pan
– Large bowl for marinating
– Cutting board
– Knife
– Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1/4 cup lemon juice
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs
– 8 corn tortillas
– Onion, diced
– Lemon zest, for garnish
Servings
4-6 tacos
BBQ Chicken Tacos with Coleslaw
For a classic twist on traditional tacos, try serving them with BBQ chicken and coleslaw. Chicken breasts are first marinated in a mixture of BBQ sauce and spices before being grilled to perfection. Meanwhile, coleslaw adds a tangy, crunchy texture to the tacos. Assemble the tacos with the grilled chicken, coleslaw, and a drizzle of ranch dressing.
Equipment
– Grill or grill pan
– Large bowl for marinating
– Cutting board
– Knife
– Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
– 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 8 corn tortillas
– Coleslaw (see below)
– Ranch dressing, for serving
Servings
4-6 tacos
Mediterranean Chicken Tacos with Tzatziki
For a unique twist on traditional tacos, try serving them with a Mediterranean flair. Chicken breasts are first marinated in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, and oregano before being grilled to perfection. Meanwhile, tzatziki sauce adds a tangy, creamy texture to the tacos. Assemble the tacos with the grilled chicken, tzatziki sauce, and diced cucumber.
Equipment
– Grill or grill pan
– Large bowl for marinating
– Cutting board
– Knife
– Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1/4 cup olive oil
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano
– 8 corn tortillas
– Tzatziki sauce (see below)
– Cucumber, sliced
Servings
4-6 tacos
Teriyaki Chicken Tacos with Sesame Slaw
For a unique twist on traditional tacos, try serving them with a Japanese flair. Chicken breasts are first marinated in a mixture of teriyaki sauce and soy sauce before being grilled to perfection. Meanwhile, sesame slaw adds a crunchy texture to the tacos. Assemble the tacos with the grilled chicken, sesame slaw, and a drizzle of teriyaki sauce.
Equipment
– Grill or grill pan
– Large bowl for marinating
– Cutting board
– Knife
– Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
– 2 tablespoons soy sauce
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– 8 corn tortillas
– Sesame slaw (see below)
– Teriyaki sauce, for serving
Servings
4-6 tacos