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Chicken Street Tacos

Flavorful tacos made with marinated grilled chicken, served in soft corn tortillas and customizable with various toppings for a delicious meal.
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs Chicken breasts can be used but may lack juiciness.
  • 2 tbsp lime juice Fresh is best!
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
For Serving
  • 8–10 pieces soft corn tortillas
  • 0.5 cup chopped white onion
  • 0.5 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • Lime wedges
Optional Add-Ons
  • Sliced avocado or guacamole
  • Crumbled cotija cheese
  • Pickled red onions
  • Salsa verde

Method
 

Marinate the Chicken
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken thighs, ensuring they are evenly coated. Cover and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for best results.
Cook the Chicken
  1. Preheat your grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated chicken. Cook for about 5–7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has a nice char (165°F internal temperature).
Rest and Slice
  1. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes. After resting, slice the meat into thin strips or small bite-sized pieces.
Warm the Tortillas
  1. Heat up your corn tortillas in a dry skillet or directly over a gas flame for about 20–30 seconds per side until they are warm and slightly charred.
Assemble Tacos
  1. Layer the sliced chicken in each warm tortilla and top with chopped onion, fresh cilantro, and a generous squeeze of lime juice. Add the optional toppings for a perfect finishing touch.

Notes

For added flavor, consider grilling the chicken over charcoal. Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Marinate chicken a day ahead for convenience.