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Chicken Street Tacos Recipe

Chicken Street Tacos Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 7 reviews

These Chicken Street Tacos feature juicy, marinated chicken thighs grilled to perfection and served on soft corn tortillas with fresh onion, cilantro, and lime. Inspired by authentic Mexican street food, this recipe offers a simple yet flavorful meal that can be customized with toppings like avocado, cotija cheese, or salsa verde, making it perfect for a quick dinner or casual gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

  • 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For Serving:

  • 8–10 soft corn tortillas
  • ½ cup chopped white onion
  • ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • Lime wedges

Optional Add-Ons:

  • Sliced avocado or guacamole
  • Crumbled cotija cheese
  • Pickled red onions
  • Salsa verde

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken thighs and toss well to coat them evenly. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or for best flavor marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Preheat a grill or skillet to medium-high heat. Place the marinated chicken thighs on the hot surface and cook for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through, juices run clear, and it has a light char for added flavor.
  3. Rest and Slice: Remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes to retain its juices. Then slice the chicken into thin strips or bite-sized pieces suitable for tacos.
  4. Warm the Tortillas: Heat the corn tortillas in a dry skillet or hold them over a gas flame for 20 to 30 seconds on each side until they are warm, pliable, and have slight charred spots to enhance their flavor.
  5. Assemble Tacos: Place sliced chicken evenly onto each warmed tortilla. Top with chopped white onion, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice. Add any optional toppings such as avocado slices, cotija cheese, pickled red onions, or salsa verde according to preference. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

  • Chicken thighs are preferred for their juiciness and rich flavor, but chicken breasts can be substituted if desired.
  • Marinating the chicken overnight intensifies the flavors and tenderizes the meat.
  • Store leftover cooked chicken and toppings separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • This recipe is great for meal prep or can be easily doubled to serve a larger group or party.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken street tacos, Mexican tacos, grilled chicken tacos, easy taco recipe, quick dinner, cilantro tacos, lime chicken tacos

Find it online: https://hannahdelgado.com/chicken-street-tacos-recipe/