A Must Have Chicken Taco Recipe!
You could just go street taco style and use chicken, onion and cilantro but I say bring on alllll those toppings! I love to load tacos up with lots of fresh ingredients. We all know tacos are way better with tomatoes or pico, avocado or guacamole, cheese (monterey jack, queso fresco, cotija, etc), radishes, lettuce, sour cream or Mexican cream, and lots of hot sauce. I mean you don’t need everything there but I like to add at least 3 of those.
The Inspiration for This Easy Taco Recipe
So a few recipes inspired this one, my Grilled Chicken Street Tacos and this Oven Roasted Chicken Shawarma that I shared. It’s a very similar flavor to those street tacos but the method is the same as that shawarma. Because who wants to grill when it’s 20 degrees outside?
Ingredients for Chicken Tacos
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs Olive oil Lime juice Garlic Spices – chili powder, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper Salt and pepper Cilantro Tortillas and desired toppings
How to Make Easy Chicken Tacos in the Oven
Whisk together olive oil, lime juice, garlic, spices, salt and pepper. Place chicken in a gallon size resealable bag, pour olive oil mixture over chicken. Add cilantro then seal bag while pressing out excess air. Rub marinade over chicken. Refrigerate 1- 6 hours. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease baking sheet with 1 Tbsp olive oil. Remove chicken from marinade and transfer to baking sheet. Roast in preheated oven cooked through, about 30 – 40 minutes. Let chicken rest 2 minutes then cut into small strips or cubes. Serve in tortillas with desired toppings.
The Chicken Marinade is Key
And now we can enjoy delicious chicken tacos 365 days a year thanks to this simple marinade and oven roasting method. That marinade is really what makes these tacos so good. It’s a blend of olive oil and fresh lime juice, some Mexican spices, and fresh garlic and cilantro. It turns boring chicken into something so flavorful. Everyone will love these tacos!
Can I Use Chicken Breasts?
Chicken breasts could be used too but they won’t be as good (note that they won’t need to bake as long). The thighs are more tender, have more flavor and moisture and the fat in them helps the edges crispen up and brown better. Even if you don’t normally like thighs try them here, trust they’re perfect here!
More Delicious Taco Recipes to Try!
Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos (a family favorite recipe) Black Bean Tacos with Avocado Cilantro Lime Crema Grilled Street Tacos (Chicken Avocado) Grilled Fish Tacos with Cabbage Slaw Carnitas Carne Asada Tacos
