Description
Enjoy these vibrant and flavorful Taqueria-Style Chicken Tacos made with marinated grilled chicken thighs and topped with fresh cilantro, onion, avocado, and salsa. Perfectly seasoned and easy to prepare, these tacos bring authentic Mexican street food right to your table in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ground oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Tacos:
- 8 small corn or flour tortillas
- 1 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium avocado, sliced
- 1 cup salsa (your favorite variety)
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Optional Garnishes:
- Radishes, sliced
- Pickled jalapeños
- Crumbled queso fresco
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the boneless, skinless chicken thighs to the marinade, ensuring each piece is well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for enhanced flavor.
- Preheat Grill or Skillet: Heat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat to get it ready for cooking the chicken.
- Cook the Chicken: Grill the chicken thighs approximately 6-8 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). This ensures juicy and safe-to-eat chicken.
- Rest and Slice Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes to retain juices. Then slice the chicken into thin strips for easy taco assembly.
- Warm the Tortillas: Place the tortillas on the grill or in a dry skillet and warm for about 30 seconds per side until they are soft and pliable.
- Assemble the Tacos: Lay a few slices of grilled chicken on each tortilla. Top with chopped cilantro, finely chopped onion, avocado slices, and your preferred salsa.
- Add Garnishes: Optionally, garnish with sliced radishes, pickled jalapeños, or crumbled queso fresco for extra flavor and texture.
- Serve: Serve the tacos with lime wedges on the side for an added burst of citrus. Enjoy your authentic taqueria-style chicken tacos!
Notes
- Marinate the chicken up to 4 hours in advance for deeper flavor infusion.
- Use corn tortillas for a more traditional taco or flour tortillas for a softer wrap.
- You can grill the chicken on an outdoor grill or cook it on a stovetop skillet if a grill is not available.
- Adjust the amount of chili powder and jalapeños according to your spice preference.
- Leftover chicken can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days and used in salads or wraps.
