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Best Chicken Tacos Ever copycat recipe

Best Chicken Tacos Ever Recipe

Before diving into my ultimate recipe for chicken tacos, let’s talk pairings. You wouldn’t serve tacos without some refreshing sides, would you?
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6
Calories 371 kcal

Equipment

  • Bowl

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thigh fillets
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons chili seasoning powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
  • ½ teaspoon garlic granules
  • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • 12 small flour tortillas warmed
  • 1 cup fresh pico de gallo salsa
  • 1 ripe avocado halved, peeled, pitted, and diced
  • ½ cup freshly chopped cilantro leaves
  • 1 teaspoon chipotle in adobo sauce
  • 1 lime quartered for squeezing

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

  • Marinate the chicken. In a bowl, mix the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic granules, salt, and pepper.
  • Coat your chicken thighs with vegetable oil and then rub the spice mix all over them. Marinate for at least 30 minutes. If you've got time, an overnight soak transforms the flavor!

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

  • Grill or pan-sear the chicken. Heat your grill or a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken thighs for about 6-7 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. This ensures the chicken is juicy and caramelized on the outside.

Step 3: Rest and Slice

  • Once cooked, let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes. This keeps all those delicious juices inside. After resting, slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Step 4: Warm the Tortillas

  • Heat the tortillas. Use a dry skillet or microwave them for a few seconds until warm. A good tortilla is key to a great taco.

Step 5: Assemble the Tacos

  • Build your tacos. Grab a warm tortilla and add a generous portion of sliced chicken. Top with pico de gallo, diced avocado, cilantro, and a drizzle of chipotle sauce. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime.

Notes

  • Use chicken thighs for juicier meat. While chicken breast is lean, thighs offer more flavor.
  • Don’t rush marinating. Allowing flavors to meld enhances the taste tremendously.
  • Warm the tortillas properly. This prevents tearing and enhances flavor.
  • Experiment with toppings. Consider cheese, sour cream, or even pickled onions for extra flair.
  • Keep your lime fresh. Freshly squeezed lime juice makes a difference

Nutrition

Serving: 189gCalories: 371kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 9gFat: 13.1gSaturated Fat: 2.5gTrans Fat: 6gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 881mg
Keyword Best Chicken Tacos Ever Recipe
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