Chicken Street Tacos (Print Version)

Tender chicken in warm corn tortillas with fresh garnishes. A vibrant taste of authentic Mexican cuisine.

# What You'll 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)

# Steps:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper until thoroughly combined.
02 - Add chicken thighs to the marinade, toss well to coat completely, and let sit for at least 15 minutes, up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
03 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook chicken thighs for 5 to 6 minutes per side until cooked through and nicely browned.
04 - Transfer chicken to a cutting board, let rest for 3 minutes to retain juices, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
05 - Warm the 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 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 added zest.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The marinade comes together in minutes but makes the chicken taste like it has been cooking all day
  • Everything happens in one pan so cleanup is practically nonexistent
  • These tacos are naturally gluten free and everyone can customize their own toppings
02 -
  • Do not skip letting the chicken rest after cooking or all those juices will end up on your cutting board instead of in your tacos
  • Corn tortillas need direct heat to get soft and pliable, microwaving them makes them tough and rubbery
03 -
  • Marinate the chicken overnight if you can for next level flavor penetration
  • Double the recipe because these disappear faster than you expect