Easy Weeknight Chicken Tacos. {Video!}
This easy weeknight chicken tacos recipe combines juicy, spiced chicken thighs with fresh salsa and creamy chipotle-lime crema. Perfectly balanced flavors make it a fast, satisfying meal anyone will love.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- ½ teaspoon salt for seasoning and sauce
- ½ teaspoon pepper for seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chile powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup grape tomatoes quartered
- ½ red onion finely diced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 1 lime juiced
- 8 to 12 tortillas 4-inch, flour or corn, your pick
- 4 ounces queso fresco cheese crumbled
- 1 avocado sliced
- extra limes for garnish
- 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt
- ¾ cup half and half
- 1 tablespoon adobo sauce from canned chipotles in adobo
- ½ lime juice and zest of half a lime
- ⅛ teaspoon salt for sauce
Instructions
Instructions
- Step 1. In a small bowl, mix the salt, pepper, cumin, smoked paprika, chile powder, garlic powder, chipotle powder, and onion powder. Get it all blended good so the flavors play nice.
- Step 2. Pat your chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Rub that spice mix all over every inch of the chicken. Don’t be shy, get the coating even and nice.
- Step 3. Heat the olive oil in a big skillet on medium-high. Once hot, lay the chicken thighs in. Sear 'em 6 to 7 minutes on each side until they’re cooked through and no pink remains. You get that nice crust on the outside.
- Step 4. Pull the chicken off the heat. Let it rest a few minutes so juices settle. This part’s key so every bite stays juicy and tender when you slice.
- Step 5. While chicken rests, toss those quartered grape tomatoes, diced red onion, chopped cilantro, and juice from the lime in a bowl. This salsa is gonna add fresh zip to your tacos.
- Step 6. Warm up your tortillas in a dry skillet or wrapped in a clean towel in the microwave. Slice the chicken thighs, layer 'em up with salsa, queso fresco, avocado slices, and a dollop of your chipotle yogurt sauce. Garnish with extra lime wedges and you’re good to go!
Notes
Serve these chicken tacos with extra lime wedges and enjoy your vibrant, flavorful meal perfect for any weeknight. Leftover chicken can be stored up to 4 days in fridge or frozen for 3 months.