Description
Mexican chicken street tacos bring authentic street flavors to home kitchens with tender marinated meat and fresh toppings. Crisp corn tortillas and zesty garnishes complete this quick, delicious meal you can easily recreate.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon ground chili
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Cooking and Serving Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1.5 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- Soft or hard taco shells
- Fresh cilantro leaves
- Chopped brown or red onion
- Lime wedges
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Craft a robust marinade by blending ground chili, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, lime juice, and olive oil with chicken. Pound chicken for enhanced flavor absorption, then coat thoroughly in the spice mixture. Refrigerate for 1-6 hours to allow seasoning to penetrate.
- Preheat skillet to medium-high temperature, adding olive oil. Transfer marinated chicken carefully into hot pan, ensuring even distribution. Sear for approximately 6 minutes on initial side, developing a golden exterior.
- Rotate chicken and continue cooking for additional 6-8 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Verify doneness using meat thermometer, watching for consistent golden-brown coloration.
- Remove chicken from skillet and allow brief resting period. Slice meat into uniform, bite-sized cubes, ensuring tender texture and even seasoning distribution.
- Warm tortilla shells briefly to enhance flexibility and flavor. Layer diced chicken generously across shells, creating foundation for taco assembly.
- Garnish tacos with fresh chopped cilantro, finely diced onions, squeeze of lime juice, and dollop of creamy sour cream. Serve immediately to maintain optimal temperature and texture.
Notes
- Pound chicken to create more surface area for marinade absorption, ensuring deeper flavor penetration.
- Experiment with marinade by adding garlic powder or smoked paprika for extra complexity and depth of taste.
- Let chicken rest after cooking to retain moisture and prevent drying out during cutting and serving.
- Swap protein for vegetarian options like jackfruit or tofu, adjusting cooking time and seasoning accordingly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg