These simple yet flavorful chicken tacos are easy to make and filled with super juicy and delicious chicken! Perfect for weeknight meals and makes great leftovers!
If there’s a recipe that I make at least once a week, it’s definitely these easy chicken tacos!
Hands down, without a doubt, no lie, some version of this chicken taco recipe is on my plate every week. And that doesn’t even include leftovers!
I clearly have a chicken taco addiction. Or more like a juicy marinated chicken thighs addiction. And get ready, friend, because after you make this recipe, you will too! Here’s how you make THE BEST chicken tacos ever!
What cut of chicken do you recommend for the best chicken tacos?
For the juiciest chicken tacos that you can make easily and quickly at home, I highly recommend using chicken thighs. They have a good white meat to dark meat ratio, which makes them a little fattier than chicken breasts and way more moist and juicy.
To cut down on excess fat, I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
Once you’ve got the right cut of meat, you’re about halfway done to having the most flavorful weeknight meal ever. The next step is going to require some patience, but the end result is totally worth it. You’re going to marinate the chicken for… 30 minutes! That’s it!
Chicken Taco Marinade
The marinade is made olive oil, white wine vinegar and dried spices that are common in most kitchens (onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder).
Once the marinade is mixed together, simply add the chicken thighs to the marinade, toss them together to coat, cover the marinated chicken and refrigerate it for 30 minutes.
How to make chicken tacos
- Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken thighs to the skillet with tongs and cook 5-7 minutes per side, until fully cooked through. Discard the used marinade.
- Transfer chicken to cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. While chicken is resting, warm up the corn tortillas on a hot griddle or in the microwave.
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized chunks and serve in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings.
The best toppings
I served these tacos with some pico de gallo and queso fresco, but you can basically use any salsa and cheese combination that you like. Here are a few more ideas for toppings if you’re looking for some inspiration.
- diced avocados or guacamole
- your favorite salsa (my fave is this toasted red chile salsa)
- sour cream, Mexican crema or chipotle sauce
- pickled jalapenos for all my spice lovers out there
- some queso like easy mexican queso dip! wouldn’t that be amazing on a taco?
Basically anything you want to put on a taco is fair game. I always end up overfilling my tacos with things because I want everything on them!
I hope you love this recipe as much as I do! Let me know in the comments below and leave me a rating if you make this recipe!
WATCH THE RECIPE VIDEO
INGREDIENTS
For the marinade
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ancho chili powder*
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 2 limes, juiced (about 4 tablespoons)
For the tacos
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 24 corn tortillas
- pico de gallo or your favorite salsa (optional)
- queso fresco or your favorite cheese (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large bowl, baking dish or freezer bag, add all the ingredients for the marinade. Mix together to fully combine.
- Add chicken thighs to marinade and toss together to coat. Cover chicken and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken to the skillet with tongs and cook 5-7 minutes per side, until fully cooked through. Discard the used marinade.
- Transfer chicken to cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. While chicken is resting, warm up the corn tortillas on a hot griddle or in the microwave.
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized chunks and serve in warm tortillas with salsa and cheese.
ISABEL'S TIPS
Nutritional information does not include optional salsa and cheese toppings.
Liz says
Super good! Whole family loved them. Using this one every time.
Maricela Guerrero says
This looks delicious! I’m planning on making this for a party this weekend. Would baking the chicken after using the marinade work too?
Isabel says
Yes! I would bake it at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes. Check it at 20 and if it’s not done, stick it in for a few more minutes. You could also grill the chicken if you’d like as well.
Mark says
I don’t have lime, but I do have lemon. You think it’ll taste okay?
Isabel says
It’ll be a slightly different flavor, but I think it’ll still work!
Phyllis says
Can you make this in a slow cooker (crock pot)?
Ashley says
This was SO GOOD! The best chicken taco I’ve had and a new household favorite! Thank you!
Aditi says
I tried this recipe last night it was yummy. My husband said this is the best taco he has eaten.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Brian says
I really can’t express how good this recipe is! I’ve probably made this a good 10 times and shared this with a lot of people who always love it. Thank you for sharing!!!
Melissa B says
My son is home from college for Thanksgiving break (first time home since August, first year of school). Last week, I asked him what he wanted for dinner when he came home–offered to take him out. He texted back, Taco Tuesday, Baby! I knew he meant this taco recipe.
Since I tried it the first time, it has become our absolute go-to meal–the only way I make tacos anymore (after many years of carnitas). It’s simple, full of flavor, not so precise that you have to worry about messing it up. If I don’t have ancho chili powder, I use chipotle.
Thank you for sharing this–its a keeper!
Kristen says
I know chipotle is hotter than ancho… did you use less?
Terry M says
SO.MUCH.FLAVOR. This is, without a doubt, my go-to chicken taco recipe from now on. And so easy! Totally agree on using thighs, we really but anything else anymore.
Carlos says
This recipe is phenomenal! I threw all of my other chicken taco recipes away because this is now the gold standard. I made this for a party and people were begging for the recipe. Thank you!
Isabel says
Thank you, Carlos! I’m so happy to hear that it was a hit!