Description
Mexican chicken tacos showcase tender spiced meat nestled in warm corn tortillas. Fresh cilantro, zesty lime, and creamy avocado complete this easy weeknight dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp onion powder
- 1 lime, juiced
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) chicken broth or water
- 10 small corn or flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 0.5 cup chopped cilantro
- 0.5 cup diced red onion
- 0.5 cup crumbled queso fresco or shredded cheese
- 1 avocado, sliced
- Lime wedges
- Sour cream or Mexican crema
Instructions
- Protein Preparation: Select and cook chicken using preferred method (slow cooker, instant pot, stovetop, or grill) to achieve maximum flavor and tender texture.
- Seasoning and Cooking: Infuse chicken with aromatic seasonings, olive oil, lime juice, and broth, ensuring each cooking technique results in moist, easily shreddable meat with rich flavor profiles.
- Resting and Cutting: Allow cooked chicken to rest briefly, then meticulously shred or slice into uniform bite-sized pieces that will distribute evenly within tacos.
- Tortilla Activation: Warm tortillas on a dry skillet, gently rotating to create pliable surfaces that prevent cracking and enhance overall taco structure.
- Taco Assembly: Layer shredded chicken as the foundational element, then strategically top with crisp lettuce, vibrant tomatoes, sharp onions, fresh cilantro, creamy cheese, and buttery avocado slices.
- Flavor Enhancement: Drizzle with tangy sour cream or traditional Mexican crema, then garnish with zesty lime wedges to allow personalized flavor customization.
- Serving Suggestion: Accompany tacos with optional intensifiers like salsa, hot sauce, or pickled jalapeños for diners seeking additional flavor complexity.
Notes
- Choose the Right Cooking Method: Select a technique that suits your time and equipment, ensuring chicken remains tender and flavorful whether using slow cooker, instant pot, stovetop, or grill.
- Manage Moisture Carefully: Allow chicken to rest after cooking, preventing dryness and helping juices redistribute for maximum succulence and easy shredding.
- Warm Tortillas Strategically: Heat tortillas briefly on a dry skillet, rotating to maintain flexibility and prevent cracking, creating the perfect taco base.
- Customize Flavor Layers: Experiment with additional garnishes like salsa, hot sauce, or pickled jalapeños to elevate taste profile and accommodate different spice preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg