Tender Chicken Street Tacos (Printable Version)
Tender chicken paired with fresh citrus and herbs, nestled in soft corn tortillas.
# What You Need:
→ For the Chicken
01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
08 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ For the Tacos
11 - 8 small corn tortillas
12 - 1/2 cup white onion, finely diced
13 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
14 - 1 medium avocado, sliced
15 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
16 - 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese (optional)
17 - salsa or hot sauce (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Whisk together olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined.
02 - Add chicken thighs to the marinade, toss well to coat completely. Let sit for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor development.
03 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook chicken thighs for 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through and nicely browned.
04 - Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 3 minutes. Chop into bite-sized pieces for easy taco assembly.
05 - Heat corn tortillas in a dry skillet or directly over a gas flame for about 30 seconds per side until soft and pliable.
06 - Fill each warm tortilla with chopped chicken. Top with diced onion, cilantro, avocado slices, and cotija cheese if desired.
07 - Serve immediately with lime wedges and salsa or hot sauce on the side for squeezing and drizzling.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- These tacos come together in just 35 minutes but taste like theyve been simmering all day
- The marinade transforms ordinary chicken thighs into something extraordinary with minimal effort
02 -
- Overcrowding your skillet will steam the chicken instead of searing it, work in batches if necessary
- Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly than cold from the fridge
03 -
- Marinating overnight transforms good chicken into unforgettable chicken
- Two limes is better than one, always have extra for serving