Easy Chicken Tacos

Mireille · 05/11/2019 at 12:44 pm

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Make an extra batch and store it in the freezer so you are never without it. This chicken taco recipe is one of my favorites. The fact that it is done in less than 20 minutes or faster if you make it ahead. So, are you ready to learn how you can make these easy chicken tacos? Let’s get started!

What You Need For This Recipe

The number of ingredients you need for this taco recipe is no more than a handful. Note that the full ingredients list, including measurements, can be found in the recipe card below.

This recipe is made with my favorite chicken marinade. You need the following ingredients:

Flour tortillas – you can use store-bought or make flour tortillas from scratch
Chicken thighs or chicken breast – chicken thighs are fatter but have more flavor compared to chicken breast
Green bell pepper – to give this recipe color and texture add green bell pepper
Pico de gallo – to add flavor to these tacos we add pico de gallo
Parmesan cheese – optional you can add a small sprinkle of parmesan cheese

Mexican chicken marinade

Mexican seasoning – taco needs seasoning so I use Mexican seasoning in this recipe
Garlic – for even more flavor add fresh minced garlic to the marinade
Lemon juice – gives the meat a nice tang
Olive oil – choose your favorite oil to combine the marinade ingredients

If you are wondering what is the best cut of chicken to make this recipe? The answer is the chicken thighs because it is the juiciest part of the chicken.

The thighs contain more fat than e.g. the chicken breast. You can use chicken breast but it is usually drier than chicken thighs.

How To Make Easy Chicken Tacos

Start with the chicken marinade and combine the Mexican seasoning, garlic, lemon, and olive oil in a large mixing bowl. Thoroughly combine the marinade and the chicken. If you have time marinate your chicken for 15 to 30 minutes in the fridge.
If you do not have time do not marinate the chicken but heat a cast iron skillet straight away. Add the chicken and let it bake. Resist the urge to move the chicken thighs in the pan.
The chicken will release after a couple of minutes. Turn the chicken thighs and cook the other side as well. Then turn the chicken regularly for 7 to 9 minutes per side.
Take the skillet off the heat and let the chicken cool before you cut the chicken thighs into small cubes.
Make the pico de gallo and put it in the fridge.
Then finely dice the green bell pepper. You can either sauté the bell pepper with some olive until soft or you can use it raw.
In this recipe, I used the bell pepper raw. Then take a tortilla and warm it in a dry skillet for about 30 seconds per side. Wrap the warm tortillas in tin foil.
While you cook the chicken you can also warm the tortillas in the oven. Wrap in tin foil and warm for 5-7 minutes.
Take a tortilla and add 2 to 3 tablespoons of Mexican chicken. Then top the tortilla with 2 tablespoons of pico de gallo. Sprinkle with green bell pepper and complete with some freshly grated parmesan.
Your easy chicken tacos are ready to serve.

Mexican Chicken Taco Recipe

If you make this once you will make them again and again. These Mexican chicken tacos are seriously addictive. They are juicy, a little crisp on the outside, and the best tacos you have ever tried.

What I like so much about this recipe is how easy it is. Can you believe you have these juicy tacos on the table in less than 20 minutes? Because that is the case.

Add your favorite taco toppings and your best-ever taco became just a little bit better.

Can You Make Chicken Tacos Ahead?

Yes, you can make these tacos ahead. If you do store the tortillas and the chicken filling separately for a better taste.

How To Store Chicken Tacos

When you make chicken tacos in a big batch or you have leftovers you have several ways to store them. In all cases let it cool completely before storing it.

Store the chicken filling and tortillas separately

Refrigerator – you can store the chicken filling in the fridge. Put it in an airtight food container for up to 3 days. You can keep the tortillas at room temperature in a resealable bag
Freezer – if you want to store it longer you can store it in the freezer. Put the chicken filling in a freezer-friendly food container and store the tortillas in a resealable bag or wrap it in foil. Store for up to 3 months

How To Reheat Chicken Tacos

You have several ways to reheat chicken tacos. If you stored them in the freezer let them thaw in the fridge overnight:

Cast iron skillet – you can reheat the chicken in a cast iron skillet. Preheat the skillet to medium and add a little bit of oil to the pan. Then add the chicken and let it gradually heat. Take the flour tortillas and warm them in another skillet for 20 to 30 seconds per side
Oven – you can also reheat the chicken in the oven. Preheat the oven to 375℉/190℃ and put the taco chicken in an oven dish. Heat the chicken for 7-10 minutes or until warm. Wrap the tortillas in foil and heat them as well
Air Fryer – you can also reheat the chicken in an Air Fryer. Preheat the Air Fryer to 350℉/175℃ for 3 minutes put the leftover chicken into a cake pan and heat for 5-7 minutes. You can heat the tortillas in an Air Fryer as well. Heat them wrapped in foil for 3-4 minutes

Serve Chicken Tacos With

In this recipe, I add pico de gallo with a nice sharp contrast to the chicken marinade but there are many other ingredients, recipes, and side dishes you can eat chicken tacos with:

More Tacos Recipes

If you love tacos, you have to take a look at all these delicious taco recipes:

Crunchy taco shells – because you can make crunchy, crispy taco shells at home.
Mexican taco lasagna – a different kind of lasagna made with tortillas and perfectly seasoned ground beef.
Beef tacos – showing you how to make the classic taco recipe. A must-try recipe.
Mexican steak tacos – another super easy but so tasty taco recipe. Tacos with steak bites. Delicious!
Breakfast tacos – when you want to try something different on the weekend, then it is time for this recipe. You will love it!
Ground turkey tacos – Use ground turkey for this lean taco recipe.
Chicken carnitas – delicious carnitas made in my Crockpot and under the broiler.
Shredded chicken tacos – easy to make in the pressure cooker, slow cooker, and oven.
Salmon tacos – tacos with oven-grilled salmon and avocado.

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