Description
Sizzling chicken tacos bring Mexican street food magic right to your kitchen, promising a fiesta of bold flavors and irresistible textures. Crispy tortillas, tender spiced chicken, and zesty toppings create a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 lbs chicken breasts
- 0.25 cup chopped cilantro
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
Accompaniments and Extras:
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 lime, juiced
- 0.5 cup diced onions
- 0.5 cup chopped tomatoes
- 0.25 cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Optional: hot sauce to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the skillet over medium-high heat and drizzle olive oil to create an even coating.
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels to ensure proper seasoning adherence and better browning.
- Blend chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl to create a uniform spice mixture.
- Generously coat each chicken breast with the spice blend, pressing the seasonings into the meat to maximize flavor penetration.
- Place seasoned chicken into the hot skillet, cooking for 6-7 minutes on each side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and exterior develops a golden-brown crust.
- Remove chicken from skillet and let rest for 5 minutes, then shred using two forks, creating tender, bite-sized pieces.
- Warm corn tortillas in a separate pan or directly over gas flame for 30 seconds per side to enhance their flexibility and flavor.
- Assemble tacos by layering shredded chicken in tortillas, then top with diced onions, chopped tomatoes, and fresh cilantro.
- Squeeze fresh lime juice over the tacos and add a dollop of sour cream for creamy richness.
- Optionally, drizzle hot sauce for an extra kick of heat and serve immediately while ingredients are fresh and warm.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is patted completely dry to achieve a beautiful golden-brown sear and lock in maximum flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer for precise doneness, preventing overcooking that can make chicken tough and dry.
- Customize spice blend by adjusting heat levels – add cayenne for extra kick or smoked paprika for deeper complexity.
- Allow chicken to rest after cooking to redistribute juices, guaranteeing moist and tender meat when shredding.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg