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!
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.
What toppings can I eat with these chicken tacos?
I served these tacos with some Mexican 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 (like this easy guacamole recipe)
- your favorite salsa (my fave is this toasted red chile salsa)
- sour cream or this chipotle lime crema made from Greek yogurt!
- 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! But don’t worry, I actually have the best solution for those times when you’re eating a taco and some of the filling falls out the ends. Just place an empty tortilla underneath on your plate so when you go to take a bite and filling falls out, it lands on the empty tortilla! And voila, you’ve got another taco! Genius, right?
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 these chicken tacos!
The BEST Easy Chicken Tacos
Print Pin RateIngredients
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.
Notes
Nutritional information does not include optional salsa and cheese toppings.
Beth Handa says
What is in the bowl next to the tacos? Pico da gallo? Salsa? would like to serve with the tacos.
Isabel says
Hi, Beth! It’s my pico de gallo recipe! Here’s the full recipe – https://www.isabeleats.com/mexican-pico-de-gallo-recipe/. Cheers!
Dee says
Absolutely delicious!! Even my picky 12 year old said it was great!!
thank you!!
Isabel says
I’m so glad he liked it! Thanks for letting me know!
Stephanie says
My family LOVED this. And so did I. I will definitely make this again!!
Isabel says
Thanks so much, Stephanie. I’m so glad you liked it!
Brandy Dillard says
Awesome! My husband was insistent that the only good taco was a beef taco. I made this tonight and he has now changed his mind. Thank you!
Isabel says
Haha, yes! I’m so glad he liked it!
Rachel Park says
this is the best chicken taco recipe I’ve ever eaten! Make it and enjoy.
Isabel says
Thank you so much, Rachel! I’m so happy you liked it!
Sharlot says
This recipe looks great! I’m having a large-ish party and would like to use this in a slow cooker. Would you just add a little stock for more liquid? Thanks!
Isabel says
Hi, Sharlot! I’ve never made them in the slow cooker before, so I can’t say for sure but yes, I would add a cup or so of stock.
James says
Hi, how many people (adults) does this recipe serve?
Isabel says
It serves 8 people, 3 tacos each using regular sized corn tortillas.
Jessie says
Best chicken taco recipe I’ve ever used
Lynda says
I was fully prepared to mess this up as I’m not the greatest cook. My hubby makes fajitas and tacos all the time and i was fully prepared for him to be a tough critic. They came out great and he LOVES them! My kids loved them. I can’t wait to try some more of your recipes Isabel!
Isabel says
Thank you so much, Lynda! I’m so glad everything turned out great. What a nice compliment 🙂
Angelz says
I see the recipe calls for white wine. Problem is I don’t have any. I was wondering if it would change the recipe much if I left it out? Also, is there’s a substitute I can use instead of the white wine if needed?
Isabel says
Hi there, the recipe calls for white wine vinegar. If you don’t have any, you could substitute regular white vinegar or apple cider vinegar instead.
Notanaturalcook says
Made this for a big family gathering. Easy and very flavorful!!! Enjoyed by many that day. I will definitely be making this recipe again!
Isabel says
I’m so glad it was a hit! I know cooking for a large crowd can be a bit stressful, so I’m glad everyone loved it!
Jane Schwarz says
I am making your other tacos recipe (pork) today. Next will be the chicken tacos. Thanks for sharing.
p/s I really like the tips about tacos toppings!
Isabel says
Thanks, Jane. I hope you enjoy both of the recipes! And you’re very welcome. Sometimes the toppings are what makes the taco amazing!
Michael says
Recipe was tasty but too much salt. Chicken was very salty. Would recommend 1/2 -3/4 tsp of salt.
Laura says
I made this on flour tortillas with guacamole, sour cream, and grilled bell peppers and onions and it was SO GOOD! I had to use apple cider instead of white wine vinegar, but the chicken was so flavorful but not overpowering. It tasted just like chicken fajitas I’ve gotten at restaurants. Even the 2 year old loved it!
Isabel says
So happy to hear that you loved it! It sounds like you made it into an awesome dinner! 🙂
Victoria says
I made this as a meal to serve to my boyfriend’s grandma the first time she visited us at me and my bf’s first apartment together. Obviously a high stakes meal. She loved it!! Thanks!!
Denise says
I never leave reviews for anything but I have to say this is the best chicken I have ever made for chicken tacos!! It is going into my weekly rotation for sure!
Isabel says
Ahh, that’s amazing! I’m so happy you liked it! Thanks, Denise 🙂
Sam says
This is the best marinade for chicken tacos! I used it for quesadillas and it was seriously the best tasting quesdilla I ever had. Thanks so much for the recipe! Stinking with me forever!
Isabel says
I’m so happy you liked it, Sam! 🙂 Thank you!
Mensin Max says
Hello, Thanks for this nice recipe guide.
Will it be ok if I serve the recipe with some fried chicken to my guests?