Easy Chicken Tacos
Quick and delicious chicken tacos topped with pico de gallo and creamy cilantro sauce. These tasty tacos are perfect for weeknight dinners and are sure to please the entire family, not to mention you’ll have dinner on the table with in 20 minutes.
Servings 5
—Chicken Ingredients—
2 chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces
2 teaspoons adobo
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
1/8 teaspoon salt or to taste
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 lime the juice of
3 tablespoons olive oil
Tortillas flour or corn
—pico de gallo—
3 small tomatoes finely chopped
2 small jalapeños (ribs and seeds removed)
1/2 red onion finely chopped
1/3 cup finely chopped cilantro
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
—Cilantro Lime Sauce—
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
1/4 cup fresh lime juice or taste
1/4 teaspoon salt
1. Cut the chicken into bite size pieces and place in a bowl. Add to the chicken the seasonings adobo, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, chili flakes and salt. Add in cilantro and lime juice, mix and cook right away or let marinate for a 1/2 hour or more if you have time.
2. Place a nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Toast the tortillas on both sides first (about 30 seconds per side until golden).
3. Next cook the chicken— add oil to the same skillet, add in the chicken and cook until fully cooked through (until it reaches an internal temp of 165 degrees).
4. Pico de gallo— in a bowl combine together the finely chopped tomatoes, jalapeños, red onion and cilantro. Add in the lime juice and season with salt, black pepper and mix well.
5. Cilantro lime sauce— in a bowl mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, cilantro, lime juice and salt to taste.
6. Assemble the tacos— by placing about 1/4 cup of cooked chicken into each tortilla. Top with a few tablespoons of the pico de gallo and a drizzle of cilantro sauce and enjoy.
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I absolutely love how simple and satisfying these easy chicken tacos are! They've truly become my go-to for those busy weeknights when I want something delicious on the table without spending hours in the kitchen. If you're anything like me, you're always looking for ways to make dinner quicker and even more enjoyable, right? So, let me share some extra tips and tricks I've picked up to make these tacos even more fantastic, and perhaps answer some questions you might have! Making Your Easy Chicken Tacos Super Speedy One of the biggest reasons these are such a hit for a quick dinner is the minimal prep. But you can shave off even more time! If you're really pressed, you can buy pre-chopped pico de gallo ingredients or even pre-made pico from the store – just make sure it’s fresh. Similarly, for the chicken, sometimes I'll use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, shred it, and then just toss it with the spices in a pan for a minute or two to heat through and absorb the flavors. This cuts down cooking time significantly, making your simple chicken taco recipe truly instant! Another hack? Prepare your sauces and chop your veggies for the pico de gallo the night before or during your weekend meal prep. Store them in airtight containers, and then on taco night, all you have to do is cook the chicken and assemble. It’s a game-changer for getting dinner on the table in what feels like mere minutes! Lemon vs. Lime: Your Zesty Choice The original recipe uses lime, which I adore for its bright, zesty kick in both the chicken marinade and the sauces. However, if you're specifically thinking about *lemon chicken tacos*, you can absolutely make that swap! Lemon will give a slightly different, perhaps tangier, profile. You can substitute lemon juice for lime juice in all components – the chicken marinade, pico de gallo, and cilantro sauce. Just be mindful that lemon can sometimes be a bit more potent, so you might want to start with a little less and add to taste. It’s a fantastic variation if you prefer that citrus twist! Beyond the Basic Taco: Fun Variations & Toppings While these easy chicken tacos are perfect as is, don't be afraid to get creative! I sometimes add a sprinkle of crumbled cotija cheese or a dollop of fresh guacamole to mine. For a little extra crunch and freshness, finely shredded cabbage or lettuce can be a great addition. If you like a bit of heat, a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce or an extra jalapeño slice in the pico de gallo can kick things up a notch. Thinking about other proteins? While this is a *simple chicken taco recipe*, you could easily adapt the seasoning blend for shrimp or even firm white fish for a delicious seafood taco night. The beauty of tacos is their versatility! Making it a Meal To round out your *quick dinner*, a simple side like black beans (you can use canned for speed!), Mexican rice, or even just a quick salad can make these tacos a complete and satisfying meal for the whole family. Sometimes, I simply serve them with extra lime wedges and a bowl of tortilla chips for scooping up any fallen toppings – yum! These easy chicken tacos truly hit all the marks: quick, simple, incredibly flavorful, and perfect for any night of the week. I hope these extra tips help you enjoy them even more! Let me know if you try any of these variations – I'd love to hear your thoughts!
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