The Best Chicken Taco Recipe
We’ve never met a taco we didn’t like. In fact, some of our favorite childhood memories are smelling the marrying of flavors from the taco truck and eagerly awaiting our turn for the perfect bite. And now, without having to use every dish in the kitchen, we’ve made the best chicken taco recipe! These chicken thigh tacos are filling, quick, and, even better, you might even have most of the ingredients on hand. Mouthwatering chicken is wrapped in warm tortillas and sprinkled with salsa, cilantro, and all your favorite toppings. It’s adaptable for all tastes, so we like to let the kids (and adults, too!) make their own – all you’ll need to do is marinate and cook the chicken, warm up the tortillas and place all the toppings out for friends and family to enjoy. For another fun chicken taco, try our chicken street tacos!
What is a Chicken Taco Made of?
While over time tacos have become more Americanized, traditional tacos hailing from Mexico are usually found in the form of shredded or chopped meats, topped with an array of fresh, delicious toppings such as cilantro, chopped white onion, and of course salsas like our Salsa Verde then wrapped in a fresh tortilla. In our chicken taco recipe, we’ll be using juicy, seasoned chicken thighs, pops of bright lime juice, and warmed tortillas. While we suggest a variety of toppings, we know chicken tacos are as unique as you are, so make it your own! Some of our favorites include:
Shredded cheeses like mozzarella, Monterey, or pepper jack cheese
Crispy romaine lettuce
Sliced avocado
Chopped red or white onion
Chopped cilantro
Pico de gallo or chopped Roma tomatoes
Sour cream
Lime wedges
What Goes Well with Chicken Tacos?
Tacos are hearty enough to be a meal on their own, packed with delicious marinated meats and fresh veggies! But, to bulk up a meal, we like to add a side of Fresh Restaurant Style Salsa and Chips. Spice it up with Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice and Instant Pot Mexican Pinto Beans or Instant Pot Black Beans! Looking for a quick side? Try Elote (Mexican Street Corn). We also love a side of Cilantro-Lime Rice or for the kids, plain white rice always remains a favorite! Finally, we love to enjoy these easy chicken tacos with a refreshing Paloma or Margarita.
Making Your Chicken the Street Taco Way!
We provide three straightforward ways for you to cook your chicken for tacos. While this recipe isn’t only a chicken street tacos recipe, it does provide a guide on how to grill your chicken tacos to perfection. For grilling the chicken thighs, place them over high heat for 5-6 minutes, flipping only after you achieve those picturesque grill marks. Let them cook for another 4-5 or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Grilled chicken tacos are the most common, but this recipe for chicken tacos is versatile and delicious all year round which is why we’ve made it just as adaptable by using the stovetop or the oven. For the stovetop, heat a skillet (or cast-iron!) over high heat. When the pan is hot, add the chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes to create a sear. Flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes. For a flip-less method, go with the oven: preheat the oven to 425°F. On a rimmed baking sheet or baking dish, place the marinated chicken in a single layer. Let it bake for 20 minutes. Each method gives you that crunchy, flavorful exterior and moist interior for the best chicken tacos!
How to Make Chicken Tacos
The smell of this chicken thigh taco recipe cooking might trick the family into thinking you’ve spent all day preparing this meal:
Make the chicken taco marinade! Three pantry ingredients come together to make this delicious marinade for our chicken thigh tacos.
Cook the chicken! Choose the method that works best for you: Grill, stovetop, or oven! We like grilling chicken for its added smokiness and its quickness (give or take 10 minutes!) but the other methods work well, too!
Warm the tortillas! While your chicken is resting to lock in the juiciness, simply use a hot pan, and heat up your tortillas. Cover them with a towel to keep them warm.
Assemble the chicken taco! Our favorite part is mixing and matching our toppings. This is a great way to get the entire family involved!
Tools You’ll Need to Make Easy Chicken Tacos
Our Favorite Chicken Recipes
You’ve already had our chicken taco recipe. And, if you’re tired of boring ole chicken recipes, we’ve pulled together our favorite recipes so you’ll never have to make another flavorless chicken recipe again!
Taco’ Bout An Easy Dinner!
Simple and delicious, these easy chicken tacos are a weeknight dinner dream. Tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy eating!
