Chicken soft tacos are a delicious and versatile dish that features tender, seasoned chicken wrapped in soft tortillas. Typically made with flour or corn tortillas, these tacos are filled with succulent chicken. It is either shredded or diced. The chicken is often marinated in spices and herbs like cumin, chili powder, and garlic to enhance its flavor.
The filling is complemented by a variety of fresh toppings. These can include crisp lettuce, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese. Creamy avocado or guacamole can also be added. Extra flavor can be added with salsa, pico de gallo, or a drizzle of lime juice. The soft tortillas gently encase the flavorful ingredients, making them easy to enjoy by hand.
Chicken soft tacos are typically served warm. They can be customized with a range of toppings and sauces. This allows for a personalized taste experience. They are a popular choice for casual meals, gatherings, or weeknight dinners. Each bite offers a balance of flavors and textures.
Here’s a simple guide to making delicious chicken soft tacos with the ingredients you’ve provided, along with some easy swaps for flexibility:
Ingredients: Chicken soft Tacos
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, chopped
- 1.5 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 limes, juice (about 2 tbsp)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (or other oil)
- 8 corn tortillas (or low carbs or lettuce wraps)
Ingredients and Easy Swaps:
- Chicken: Substitute with shredded rotisserie chicken for a quicker choice. You can also swap for ground turkey, beef, or tofu for a vegetarian choice.
- Spices: Adjust the spices according to your taste. Add cayenne pepper for extra heat, or use taco seasoning as a convenient choice.
- Tortillas: Use whole wheat tortillas or low-carbs options if desired. For a gluten-free choice, make sure the tortillas you choose are certified gluten-free.
- Oils: Any neutral oil like canola or olive oil can be used in place of vegetable oil.
- Lime Juice: If you don’t have fresh limes, bottled lime juice can be a convenient substitute.
Instructions for Making Delicious Chicken Soft Tacos:
- Marinate Chicken: In a bowl, combine chopped chicken breast with chili powder, cumin, and paprika. Add onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, lime juice, and oil. Mix well and let marinate for at least 15 -30 minutes.
- Cook Chicken: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the marinated chicken for about 6-8 minutes. Stir occasionally during cooking. Make sure the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink.
- Warm Tortillas: While the chicken cooks, heat the corn tortillas in a dry skillet. Warm them for about 30 seconds on each side until they are pliable.
- Assemble Tacos: Place a part of the cooked chicken on each tortilla. Add desired toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, or avocado.
- Serve: Squeeze extra lime juice over the tacos, and enjoy with salsa or your favorite hot sauce.
Feel free to get creative with toppings and sides to make your chicken soft tacos even more delicious!
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Notes and Tips for Making Chicken Soft Tacos
Notes:
- Marination Time: For the best flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes. You can marinate it for up to 2 hours if time permits. Overnight marination is optimal.
- Cooking Techniques: Grilling or baking the chicken can add a delicious smoky flavor. If using a grill, cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Tortilla Choice: Corn tortillas are traditional. Still, feel free to use flour tortillas or whole wheat. You can even use lettuce wraps for a low-carbs choice.
- Serving Size: This recipe is easily scalable. If you’re serving a crowd, simply increase the ingredient quantities suitably.
Tips:
- Toppings: Get creative with toppings! Consider adding diced onions, cilantro, jalapeños, or a drizzle of sour cream. You can also include cheese like queso fresco or shredded cheddar.
- Salsa Variety: Explore different salsas to complement your tacos. A fresh pico de gallo, mango salsa, or a spicy chipotle salsa can elevate your dish.
- Meal Prep: Cook a larger batch of the seasoned chicken at once. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It’s great for quick meals throughout the week.
- Fresh Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice brightens up the flavors, so don’t skip this step! It adds a refreshing zest to your tacos.
- Heartier Options: For a heartier taco, consider adding beans. Use black beans or pinto beans. They add protein and fiber to the filling.
- Kid-Friendly Versions: For children or those who prefer milder flavors, reduce the chili powder or use a milder taco seasoning.
- Sides: Serve your tacos with classic sides like Mexican rice, refried beans, or a side salad for a full meal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?
A: Yes. Chicken thighs stay juicier and add more flavor. Adjust cooking time to guarantee doneness.
Q: How long should I marinate the chicken?
A: 30 minutes to 2 hours for best flavor. Overnight works great if you have time.
Q: What about spices? Can I change the seasoning?
A: Absolutely. Start with the given spices. Adjust heat with more chili powder. You can also add cumin, paprika, garlic, or a taco seasoning blend to taste.
Q: Which tortillas work best?
A: Traditional corn tortillas are classic, but flour tortillas, whole wheat, or lettuce wraps work well too. For gluten-free, use certified gluten-free tortillas.
Q: How do I know the chicken is cooked?
A: Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the juices run clear.
Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: Yes. Cook and shred the chicken, store in the fridge for up to 4 days, and rewarm before serving. Toppings should be prepped fresh.
Q: What toppings pair well?
A: Lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, avocado or guacamole, salsa, pico de gallo, onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
Q: How can I make it spicy or mild?
A: Add more chili powder or add jalapeños for heat. For milder flavor, reduce chili powder and skip hot sauces.
Q: Can I add beans or other proteins?
A: Yes. Black beans or pinto beans mix well. You can also substitute or combine with ground turkey, beef, or tofu.
Q: What sides go with chicken soft tacos?
A: Mexican rice, refried beans, a fresh salad, corn or street corn, or grilled vegetables complement nicely.
Q: How do I keep tortillas warm without tearing?
A: Wrap them in a damp paper towel. Warm them in a dry skillet for 20 – 30 seconds per side. Alternatively, wrap them in foil and warm in the oven.
Q: What can I do with the leftovers?
If you end up with some extra chicken taco meat, lucky you! There are tons of options for the leftovers. You can pack it up with rice, beans, and fresh veggies for a burrito bowl or chicken taco bowl. Use it to make quesadillas with a low carbs flour tortilla, diced bell peppers, and cheese. Toss it in lettuce wraps with black beans for a lighter taco. Add it to your favorite canned black bean or vegetable soup for a quick and hearty lunch. Add it to a big green salad for a taco salad.
One quick note. If you decide to make extra so you have leftovers, you want to cook the chicken in two batches. If there is too much chicken in the pan, it will cook unevenly. This will leave you with some overcooked pieces. Other pieces be barely cooked.
Chicken Soft Tacos
Delight in the flavors of homemade chicken soft tacos! This simple recipe features tender, marinated chicken breast seasoned with chili powder, cumin, and garlic, all wrapped in warm corn tortillas. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual gathering, customize your tacos with fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado. Easy swaps allow for versatility, whether you prefer different proteins or wraps. Enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal with every bite!
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, chopped
- 1.5 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 limes, juice (about 2 tbsp)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (or other oil)
- 8 corn tortillas (or low carbs or lettuce wraps)
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: In a bowl, combine chopped chicken breast with chili powder, cumin, and paprika. Add onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, lime juice, and oil. Mix well and let marinate for at least 15 -30 minutes.
- Cook Chicken: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the marinated chicken for about 6-8 minutes. Stir occasionally during cooking. Make sure the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink.
- Warm Tortillas: While the chicken cooks, heat the corn tortillas in a dry skillet. Warm them for about 30 seconds on each side until they are pliable.
- Assemble Tacos: Place a part of the cooked chicken on each tortilla. Add desired toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, or avocado.
- Serve: Squeeze extra lime juice over the tacos and enjoy with salsa or your favorite hot sauce.
Notes
- Marination Time: For the best flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes. You can marinate it for up to 2 hours if time permits. Overnight marination is optimal.
- Cooking Techniques: Grilling or baking the chicken can add a delicious smoky flavor. If using a grill, cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Tortilla Choice: Corn tortillas are traditional. Still, feel free to use flour tortillas or whole wheat. You can even use lettuce wraps for a low-carbs choice.
- Serving Size: This recipe is easily scalable. If you’re serving a crowd, simply increase the ingredient quantities suitably.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 178Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 89mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 2gSugar: 7gProtein: 19g
**Nutritional information on HRCookery is provided as a courtesy. We can't guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on the site. these figures should only be considered as estimates.
