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These ground chicken tacos are packed with flavor from three types of chili, chorizo, and garlic. Ready in under 20 minutes, these easy, healthy chicken tacos are a delicious family meal.

3 tacos in whole wheat tortillas ready to eat.

Topped with creamy avocado, black beans, fresh cilantro, and tangy Greek yogurt, these ground chicken tacos are balanced and delicious. Spice up taco night with this flavorful spice blend and chipotles in adobo!

In our house we have Taco Monday instead of Taco Tuesdays, and I often make these ground chicken tacos, chicken tacos seasoned with my taco seasoning mix, these chipotle chorizo tacos or, my husband’s favorite, a taco bake!

Why you will love this recipe for weeknights:

  • It has a bold flavor. Unlike many chicken taco recipes, this recipe is packed with flavor. The delicious, spicy, smoky taste of chipotle peppers and chorizo is balanced by the creamy avocado and fresh cilantro for the perfect bite.
  • The chicken won’t be dry. Cooking the onions with the spices before adding the chicken, ensures you don’t end up with dry, under-seasoned chicken. .
  • It was developed by a professional chef. A professional chef made and tested every part of this dish, so you can count on balanced, delicious flavor and perfectly cooked chicken.
chipotle flavored chicken tacos.
cheesy chicken being served from pot.
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Professional tips for making ground chicken tacos

  • Blooming the spices in oil. Cooking the spices in a little extra oil with the onions  and garlic will bloom the spices and make them more flavorful. .
  • Watch your chicken. Make sure to take your ground chicken mixture off of the heat once it is cooked through to keep it moist.
  • Adjust the spice level to your taste. This recipe is easily customizable to your preferences. If you like your tacos mild, use 2 chipotles and 1 teaspoon of spice mix. Add more as needed to reach your desired level of spiciness. You could also add cayenne pepper or my homemade taco seasoning if you’re feeling bold!

Ingredients

ground chicken taco ingredients on marble.
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Chili Powder
  • Paprika: Choose either sweet, smoked, or hot paprika for this recipe depending on your taste. Each adds a delicious bit of earthiness to the recipe. This is also my secret ingredient in my Sweet and Spicy Wings recipe (Baked)!
  • Garlic Powder
  • Cumin: Cumin is a smoky spice that adds earthy flavor to the dish. Use it sparingly as it has a very strong flavor.
  • Oil: I recommend using canola oil or vegetable oil for cooking the chicken. It has a higher smoke point than olive oil, making it a good choice for medium-high heat cooking.
  • Onion
  • Garlic: I recommend using lots of garlic in this recipe for a bold, savory flavor. If you can’t find fresh garlic, you can also use chopped, jarred garlic.
  • Chipotle Peppers: Use chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for this dish and for my Chipotle Chili! You will want to mince them so that they incorporate well into the meat mixture.
  • Chorizo: You’ll need about 3 chorizo sausages. Remove the casings before cooking the chorizo so that it mixes well with the ground chicken.
  • Ground Chicken: Just like in my Ground Chicken Burgers, I like to use ground chicken that has an adequate amount of fat to prevent it from becoming dry during cooking. Try to find an 85/15 or even 80/20 blend for this recipe.
  • Tomato Paste: Adding a bit of tomato paste to the ground chicken gives it a concentrated savory and sweet flavor. Save some of the can for a batch of Healthy Beef Stroganoff!
  • Water: You can use water for this recipe or a bit of low-sodium chicken broth.
  • Spice Mixture: You’ll use 2-3 teaspoons of the spice mixture above to season the ground meat, or your favorite store-bought taco seasoning.
  • Black Beans
  • Avocado: Using avocado will add creaminess and richness to the dish. If you’d like, you can replace it with guacamole.
  • Greek Yogurt: You can replace the Greek yogurt with sour cream if you prefer the taste.
  • Tortillas: I like using whole wheat tortillas in this recipe, but feel free to use the tortillas you like best. You can use corn tortilla, flour tortillas, or hard tortilla shells.
  • Cilantro: Adding cilantro to this recipe imparts a bright, fresh flavor to the tacos. As does a hint of fresh lime juice if you have it!

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Variations

  • Ground Turkey: You can use ground turkey in place of the ground chicken. It is also a lean ground meat, so I recommend using a blend with at least 10% fat.
  • Taco Salad: Turn these delicious tacos into a taco salad by serving the taco filling over lettuce with some bell pepper, and adding your favorite taco toppings, like cheese or salsa.
  • Ground Beef: You can also swap the chicken for ground beef this Tuesday! Because ground beef is naturally higher in fat, you may want to use a lean blend, like 97/3.

How to make chicken tacos

Use these instructions to make the perfect tacos every time! Further details and measurements can be found in the recipe card below!

Step 1: Pour black beans and their juice into a small saucepot over medium heat. Cover and simmer until hot. You can also heat them in the microwave. 

Step 2: In a large cast iron skillet (or any other non-nonstick skillet), sauté onions in 1-2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat until they release their juices and begin to turn translucent. Add the spices and a little more oil if needed. Cook while stirring with a wooden spoon until fragrant. About 1 minute. 

black beans in white bowl.
cooking onions with spices and chipotle peppers.

Step 3: Add garlic and chipotle peppers  and continue to cook over medium heat until the onions are almost translucent, stirring frequently. Remove onion mixture from the skillet to a small bowl and set aside. 

Step 4: In the same large skillet, brown the ground chicken until completely cooked. Drain off any excess fat. Add the onion mixture back into the pan, stirring to mix. Add ½ cup water or broth and tomato paste. Stir to evenly coat the meat with the tomato paste. Cook for about 5 minutes until most of the water has evaporated. Taste for seasoning. 

To get maximum flavor, try sprinkling salt on the outside of the ground chicken straight from the package, then place it in the pan in one block (don’t break it up yet!). Let it brown on one side, flip it to brown the other side before breaking it up to finish cooking. 

adding all the ingredients to cooked ground chicken.
cooked ground chicken taco meat.
chicken taco components ready to assemble.

Step 5: Remove the taco filling from the heat. Toast the tortillas directly on the hot burner or in a flat-bottomed pan until each side has crisped and begun to bubble. 

Step 6: Assemble and enjoy!

Chef Lindsey’s Recipe Tip

One of the best ways to set yourself up for success is to prep your ingredients before you start cooking. This way you stay organized and don’t feel rushed while making the meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you store ground chicken tacos?

Keep the ingredients for these tacos separate. You can store the ground meat, tortillas, and toppings in their own airtight containers. They should stay fresh for 2-4 days in the fridge. I do not recommend using the freezer for leftovers, refrigeration is better for this dish!

How do I cook chicken taco meat without drying it out?

Use plenty of oil when cooking chicken and remove it from the pan when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. It is hard to test the temperature of ground chicken but it is cooked when you no longer see any pink.

What goes well with ground chicken tacos?

I recommend topping these tacos with black beans, fresh cilantro, avocado, and creamy Greek yogurt. Some of our favorite side dishes to serve with these tacos are: yellow rice, Healthy Creamy Coleslaw, Quinoa Pilaf, or this slow cooker Mexican grilled corn dip

Can I use chicken breast for this recipe?

If using chicken thighs or chicken breast  make sure to cook the chicken thoroughly on both sides until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Then, slice or cube it before adding it to your tacos.

hand held chicken taco.

If you tried this recipe and loved it please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. I love hearing from you; your comments make my day!

flavorful chicken taco with avocado and chopped cilantro.
5 from 2 ratings

Ground Chicken Tacos

These ground chicken tacos are packed with flavor from three types of chili, chorizo, and garlic. Ready in under 20 minutes, these easy, healthy chicken tacos are a delicious family meal.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 7 minutes
Total: 17 minutes
Servings: 6 people

Ingredients 
 

For the Chipotle Chicken Chorizo taco mix

For the Spice Mix:

For the rest of your tacos:

Instructions 

  • Pour black beans and their juice into a small saucepot over medium heat. Cover and simmer until hot. You can also heat them in the microwave.
  • In a large cast iron skillet (or any other non-nonstick skillet), sauté onions in 1-2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat until they release their juices and begin to turn translucent. Add the spices and a little more oil if needed. Cook while stirring with a wooden spoon until fragrant. About 1 minute.
  • Add garlic and chipotle peppers  and continue to cook over medium heat until the onions are almost translucent, stirring frequently. Remove onion mixture from the skillet to a small bowl and set aside.
  • In the same large skillet, brown the ground chicken until completely cooked. Drain off any excess fat. Add the onion mixture back into the pan, stirring to mix. Add ½ cup water or broth and tomato paste. Stir to evenly coat the meat with the tomato paste. Cook for about 5 minutes until most of the water has evaporated. Taste for seasoning.
  • Remove the taco filling from the heat. Toast the tortillas directly on the hot burner or in a flat-bottomed pan until each side has crisped and begun to bubble.
  • Assemble and enjoy!

Notes

Flavor Tips – Adjust the spice level to your taste. This recipe is easily customizable to your preferences. If you like your tacos mild, use 2 chipotles and 1 teaspoon of spice mix. You can always add more.
Technique – Watch your chicken. Make sure to take your ground chicken mixture off of the heat once it is cooked through to keep it moist.
Storage – Keep the ingredients for these tacos separate. You can store the ground meat, tortillas, and toppings in their own airtight containers. They should stay fresh for 2-4 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 494kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 1274mg | Potassium: 922mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 983IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 168mg | Iron: 5mg
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 494
Like this? Leave a comment below!

Before You Go

I hope you enjoyed this professional chef-tested recipe. Check out our other delicious, chef-developed chicken recipes, such as chicken with shallots and healthy flavorful ground chicken burgers!

Hi, I’m Chef Lindsey!

I am the baker, recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind Chef Lindsey Farr. I believe in delicious homemade food and the power of dessert!

5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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40 Comments

  1. Tacos are the best and SO easy to make! I love chorizo so I will definitely make these! Thanks for sharing!

  2. Lindsey, I love the sound of everything about these tacos! Adding just some chorizo lightens it up nicely and still gives it so much flavor, along with that delicious spice rub! And I top my Mexican food with Greek yogurt all the time at home and wouldn’t have it any other way! Pinned. 🙂