Chicken Tacos
Juicy chicken thighs rubbed with chilli, cumin and lime, seared and chopped, then piled into warm corn tortillas with onion, coriander and avocado.
How to Make Chicken Tacos
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Toss the chicken in a bowl with the oil, chilli powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt and lime juice until evenly coated.
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Heat a large frying pan or griddle over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 6 minutes on each side, until it is deeply browned and reaches 74°C / 165°F in the centre.
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Transfer the chicken to a board and rest for 5 minutes, then chop it into small pieces and mix with any juices from the board.
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Warm the tortillas one at a time in a dry pan for 30 seconds on each side, until soft and flecked with brown. Keep them wrapped in a clean tea towel.
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Fill each tortilla with chicken, then top with onion, coriander and avocado. Serve with lime wedges and salsa.
Tips for Making Chicken Tacos
- Use thighs rather than breasts. They stay juicy and take up the seasoning well, and they are much harder to overcook.
- Warm the tortillas and keep them wrapped. Cold corn tortillas crack when folded, and steamed ones stay soft and pliable.
- Chop the chicken small. Small pieces catch more of the seasoned crust, so each bite has flavour.
Common Substitutions & Variations
- Lemon is the everyday swap for lime in this kind of dish — the acidity plays the same role even though the flavour is not identical.
- Fresh herbs work in place of the dried oregano at roughly three times the quantity — a teaspoon of dried is about a tablespoon of fresh, chopped.
What to Serve with Chicken Tacos
- Mexican rice
- Refried beans
- Pineapple salsa
Storing & Reheating Chicken Tacos
The cooked chicken keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a hot pan with a splash of water. Assemble the tacos just before serving.
Chicken Tacos FAQ: Common Questions
How long does Chicken Tacos take to make?
About 30 minutes in total — 15 minutes of preparation and 15 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 4.
What are the key tips for making Chicken Tacos?
Use thighs rather than breasts. They stay juicy and take up the seasoning well, and they are much harder to overcook. Warm the tortillas and keep them wrapped. Cold corn tortillas crack when folded, and steamed ones stay soft and pliable. Chop the chicken small. Small pieces catch more of the seasoned crust, so each bite has flavour.
What should I serve with Chicken Tacos?
Mexican rice; Refried beans; Pineapple salsa.
How should Chicken Tacos be stored?
The cooked chicken keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a hot pan with a splash of water. Assemble the tacos just before serving.
Is Chicken Tacos suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is dairy-free, gluten-free, high-protein and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Chicken Tacos?
About 436 kcal per serving, with 35 g protein, 38 g carbohydrate and 16 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Chicken Tacos Nutrition
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.
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