Chicken Tacos

5 from 1 ratings

These easy chicken tacos are a delicious weeknight meal. Made with homemade taco seasoning, you'll love this chef-tested recipe.

Prep Time12

Cook Time20

Total Time32

Course: Dinner, lunch

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Servings: people

Author: Chef Lindsey

Ingredients

For the Taco Seasoning:

1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ancho chili powder or New Mexico chili powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon light brown sugar packed

For the tacos:

2 tablespoons canola oil
1-1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or a mix of thighs and breast
½ teaspoon kosher salt more to taste
2 ½ tablespoons taco seasoning mix the whole recipe above
1 lime

For serving:

12 corn tortillas or small flour tortillas
1 bunch cilantro chopped
½ cup sour cream
½ cup queso fresco crumbled
2 limes cut into wedges
1 cup salsa or pico de gallo
1 avocado sliced or cubed
4 radishes chopped and stored in cold water

Instructions

Make the taco seasoning by whisking all the spices and sugar in a small bowl. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and then season chicken on both sides with salt and taco seasoning.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with 2 tablespoons of oil until hot. Add the chicken and sear until browned, flipping once. You can add more oil if needed.
Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Turn off the heat, transfer the chicken to a large cutting board, and chop. Put the chicken back in the pan, squeeze the lime juice over the chicken, and toss well to coat with residual juices and lime.
If you have a gas stovetop, char your tortillas directly on the grates. This can also be done in a cast iron skillet or on a griddle. Store the charred tortillas in a tea towel until ready to use.
Assemble your tacos and serve.

Video

Notes

Note - Taco Seasoning Mix: Use the full recipe above. It is enough to season a pound of chicken.

Technique - Be sure to use enough oil when cooking your chicken. The oil helps bloom the spices, which will make the chicken more flavorful. It also helps keep the spices from burning.

Variations - Rotisserie Chicken: If you are running short on time, you can also season a rotisserie chicken from the store with the spice blend used here. Omit the salt, however, as rotisserie chickens are already seasoned.

Storage - Store the components for these tacos separately. The meat, tortillas, and toppings can all be stored in separate, airtight containers. The taco ingredients should last between 2-4 days.

Nutrition