Description
These Best Chicken Street Tacos feature juicy grilled chicken marinated in bold spices, combined with fresh, vibrant toppings, and warm corn tortillas for an authentic and crave-worthy meal that’s quick and easy to prepare at home.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Tacos
- 8 corn tortillas
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup diced white onion
- 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco or Cotija cheese
- Sliced avocado or guacamole (optional)
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine chili powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, fresh lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Whisk thoroughly to create a flavorful marinade that will infuse the chicken with savory, tangy goodness.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs into the marinade, ensuring they are evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for a deeper flavor.
- Grill the Chicken: Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the marinated chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until fully cooked and nicely charred, achieving that signature street taco flavor and juicy texture.
- Warm the Tortillas: Heat corn tortillas on the grill or a hot skillet for about 30 seconds on each side until soft and pliable. Keep them warm by wrapping in a clean kitchen towel.
- Assemble the Tacos: Slice the grilled chicken into thin strips or bite-sized pieces. Place the chicken on the warm tortillas, then top with diced white onion, chopped fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, crumbled queso fresco, and optional avocado slices or guacamole. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Marinate longer (up to overnight) to enhance flavor and tenderness.
- Keep tortillas warm by wrapping them in a clean kitchen towel after heating.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- Don’t skip fresh lime juice before serving to brighten flavors.
- Grill with high heat to achieve essential caramelization and authentic char marks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: chicken street tacos, grilled chicken tacos, Mexican tacos, easy chicken tacos, gluten free tacos