Description
These Mexican Grilled Chicken Tacos feature tender and flavorful chicken thigh fillets marinated in a zesty blend of citrus juices, smoky spices, and garlic. Grilled to perfection and served with classic toppings like pico de gallo, sour cream, and avocado, these tacos offer a vibrant and satisfying meal perfect for any taco night.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 – 1.5 lb / 500 – 750g chicken thigh fillets
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp orange juice
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar)
- 1 1/2 tbsp lime juice
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 tbsp chipotle or ancho chile powder
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp smoked paprika powder
- 1/8 tsp allspice
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1/4 – 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tsp salt
- Black pepper, to taste
For Serving
- Tortillas or taco shells
- Pico de Gallo (tomato salsa)
- Sour cream
- Avocado, sliced
- Fresh coriander (cilantro)
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the olive oil, orange juice, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, minced garlic, chipotle or ancho chile powder, dried oregano, smoked paprika, allspice, cinnamon, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper in a ziplock bag. Add the chicken thigh fillets and massage the bag gently to coat the chicken evenly. Seal and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight, to let the flavors develop.
- Prepare for Cooking: Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade completely to prevent flare-ups while grilling or frying.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat or preheat a BBQ grill to medium-high. Place the chicken thighs onto the skillet or grill and cook for about 4 minutes on each side until they are dark golden brown and cooked through.
- Rest the Chicken: Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil. Allow it to rest for 3 minutes to let the juices redistribute, ensuring moist and tender meat.
- Assemble Tacos: Slice the rested chicken into strips. Warm your tortillas or taco shells, then assemble the tacos by adding the chicken strips and toppings like pico de gallo, sour cream, sliced avocado, fresh coriander, and a squeeze of lime juice.
Notes
- Use chicken thigh fillets for juicier and more flavorful meat compared to breast fillets.
- Marinating the chicken overnight intensifies the flavor and tenderizes the meat.
- You can adjust the cayenne pepper to control the heat of the marinade according to your preference.
- For an authentic smoky flavor, grilling on a BBQ is preferable, but a stovetop skillet works well too.
- Chicken leftovers can be used in salads, quesadillas, or burrito bowls to avoid waste and enjoy the flavors differently.
