Chicken Tacos is a quick way to get your midweek taco fix! Shredded Mexican chicken that comes with its own sauce, a homemade chicken taco seasoning does double duty to flavour the chicken AND make the taco sauce.
This is an easy chicken taco recipe loaded with big, punchy Mexican flavours. No marinating, no fussing with a separate sauce, no need to go overboard with toppings. The only question is – soft tortillas or old school taco shells?? 🤔
Chicken Tacos
This Chicken Taco recipe is intended to be a QUICK recipe with a 2-in-1 chicken plus taco sauce so there’s no need to make a separate sauce.
Tacos always seem to be pitched as a quick ‘n easy dinner. Though cooking the meat might be fast, we need to factor in the extra time to make all the taco fixings: pico de Gallo, guacamole or Avocado Sauce, pickled cabbage, taco sauce, cheese sauce…..
We’re bypassing all of that with this Chicken Taco recipe. Because the chicken is flavoured generously and comes with a sauce, this means:
✅ No need to make a separate sauce of any kind. But if you’re so inclined, dig deep to find the strength to pull a tub of sour cream from the fridge….
✅ Taco toppings can be kept simple. I chopped a tomato, onion, lettuce and onion.
BUT having said that, nobody ever complains about too many taco topping options, so don’t let me hold you back!!
This is a 2-1 chicken taco filling PLUS taco sauce recipe!
Chicken Taco Seasoning
Here’s what goes in my quick chicken tacos:
- simple homemade Chicken taco seasoning – made with cumin, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and oregano, the same taco seasoning I use for Beef Tacos and Quesadillas. There’s quite a lot, but we need it because it’s used to season the chicken AND make the sauce. Add cayenne pepper for a hit spiciness;
- garlic – it goes in everything around here!
- lime juice – loads of sub options here – the main purpose is to turn the spices into a loose paste to coat the chicken. Orange juice or another fruit juice is an excellent sub, lemon juice or even water;
- chicken – boneless skinless chicken thighs is always my first choice because it’s so much juicier than breast with just a fraction more calories;
- chicken broth/liquid stock and tomato paste – to make the sauce.
The chicken taco seasoning does double duty to flavour the chicken AND the taco sauce
How to make Chicken Tacos
- Coat chicken in taco seasoning rub. No need to marinate – it adds little to this recipe because we’re shredding the chicken
- Sear and shred – or chop. I like to shred because the chicken strands hold more sauce = juicier eating experience 😂
- Into the same pan, add broth and tomato paste. Scrape and simmer, toss chicken back in;
- Stuff into taco shells and devour.
Because this is by no means an authentic Mexican chicken recipe, being that the seasoning is a total copycat of Old El Paso (minus preservatives and artificial flavours), the stuffing vehicle of choice here is good ole crispy corn taco shells. You won’t see them anywhere in Mexico…. but we love them anyway!
Today’s Chicken Taco recipe is the quicker version of this Mexican Shredded Chicken which is made with a Chipotles in Adobo based sauce, and does not require marinating like this Mexican Grilled Chicken Tacos (a homestyle version of Sinaloa Chicken, a traditional Mexican recipe).
There’s room for all 3 tacos in my life, but today’s recipe is the one I make most often because I don’t need to plan for it. I usually have all the spices and other ingredients (because taco shells – crispy or otherwise – can always be found somewhere in the dark depths of my pantry), toppings are adaptable and it’s high returns for low effort.
You know I’m a big fan of these type of recipes! – Nagi x
In the mood for Mexican?
I have a few here around here…. just a few… 😂😂
- Beef tacos – old school ground Beef Tacos or slow cooked Mexican Shredded Beef
- Other Chicken tacos – Mexican Shredded Chicken and Marinated Grilled Chicken
- Mexican Pulled Pork – Pork Carnitas, big reader fave!
- Fajitas – Chicken and Beef
- Fish Tacos – marinated and grilled (also try this same recipe with prawns/shrimp)
- Taco fixings – pico de Gallo, Salsa sauce, guacamole or Avocado Sauce, pickled cabbage, taco sauce, cheese sauce
- Browse all Mexican recipes
Also, don’t miss Mexican Fiesta – a fiesta menu, starters, mains, sides and dessert!
Chicken tacos recipe
Watch how to make it
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Quick Chicken Tacos - WITH sauce!
Ingredients
- 700 g / 1.2 lb chicken thighs , skinless boneless (or breast)
- 1.5 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1 cup (250ml) chicken broth, separated (liquid stock)
HOMEMADE TACO SEASONING:
- 3 tbsp lime juice (Note 1)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 2 tsp EACH garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano
- 3 tsp EACH cumin powder, paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust spiciness to taste, can skip)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
To serve:
- Taco shells or tortillas , warmed per packet directions
- Diced tomato , onion, avocado, coriander/cilantro leaves
- Shredded lettuce
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Place Taco Seasoning ingredients in a bowl. Add 2 tbsp of the chicken broth and mix to form a loose paste.
- Add chicken, turn to coat.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook chicken for 3 minutes on each side until lightly seared. (Reserve marinade dregs in bowl)
- Remove chicken into a shallow dish.
- Return skillet to stove, reduce to medium. Add remaining chicken broth, tomato paste, sugar and scrape in any marinade left in the bowl. Mix to dissolve, scraping base of pan, and bring to simmer
- Meanwhile, shred chicken with forks, or chop (don't worry if raw inside).
- Return chicken into sauce, toss and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until sauce reduces to a thin syrup consistency (add water if reduces too fast). Adjust salt to taste.
- Transfer chicken and all sauce to serving bowl.
Serving:
- Warm taco shells or tortillas.
- Stuff with chicken, making sure it's soaked with the sauce.
- Top with tomato, avocado, onion, coriander, lettuce and sour cream. Devour!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Life of Dozer
Dozer with his friends and a lady in black (yours truly! 😂). Between all the cooking/shooting/filming and Dozer, there is not much white in my wardrobe…..
Hi Nagi, does this freeze well? Any freezing suggestions? Thanks!
Hi Ali, this freezes beautifully, just shred the chicken and place in containers. To use, simply defrost and reheat gently in the microwave. N x
Yum! We just got back from holidays and I didn’t really want to cook so picked up a cooked chicken and shedded that then added all the spices and simmered – delicious! We did bothe tacos and wraps 👍🏼
I also did a double batch so today we can have Mexican bowls. Thank you!!
Can I sub normal onions and garlic for the powdered version?
This recipe looks really good.😉
Normally I make your shredded beef recipe, which is absolutely divine! But after having this tonight I think we found a new favourite. Easy, quick and very delicious!! Thank you!
Hi Nagi, I plan to make this tonight for 3 very hungry men When the recipe says 12 servings is that 12 people or 12 tacos?
Hi Desiree, this makes about 12 tacos here 🙂 N x
Thank you hon, making it for the 2nd time tonight. Doing a double batch so we have leftovers 🙂 x
This looks so good! I have just one question – while I like smooth tomato-flavored things, like pasta sauce, chunks of tomatoes make me gag (literally – I’m not being dramatic). If I puréed the diced tomatoes before adding them, would it mess the whole thing up? I‘d be using Rotel, since that’s what I have.
No not at all Reena, pureed will be find here. N x
Hi Nagi,
I need to cook this for a large crowd. Could I cook the day before and reheat or would it go dry and the sauce dry up?
Hi Sarah, you can definitely make the day before and reheat – enjoy! N x
Nagi wins again!!!! Mixed through some tinned corn and some diced capsicum to up the veg intake for the kiddos – scoffed by the lot of us! Had to remember to put some meat aside for Hubby when he gets home from work tonight 🙂
This was incredibly moist and tender chicken. I’ll admit, i was doubtful undercooking the chicken, but it was spot on. Next time i might add some hot sauce like tobasco to the sauce, spice it up a little. Thanks Nagi, another keeper!
Yes you definitely can Anna, I like to add my spicy sauce when making the tacos 🙂 N x
This chicken taco meat is amazing. I made chicken nachos with it and they made my belly very happy!
That’s so good to hear Stephanie!! N x
Hi Nagi, my daughter has requested tacos for her birthday dinner tonight, so I’m trying this recipe 😊 what adjustments would I need to make if I were to just throw everything in the slow cooker? Do I just add the 2tbsp stock or the whole cup? I’m great at following recipes, but not so when it comes to adjusting them ☹
Thanks in advance 🤩
Hi Nagi, this recipe looks delicious… Thank you for sharing it! I was wondering if you think it would be ok to substitute fresh chopped onion and extra minced garlic instead of the powdered versions? Perhaps in the part where the tomato paste etc are being added to the pan? I have lots of fresh onion and garlic at home and was hoping to use these in this recipe if you think it would be ok?
With thanks,
Dewey
Hi Dewey, you sure can! I would cook them at step 5 until soft & then continue with the rest of the recipe. N x
Thanks for your feedback Nagi, I appreciate it very much. I made this meal for my family tonight, and it was a huge hit! Very happy faces and tummies all around 😊 so delicious, and easy to make. Thank you for sharing such a great recipe!
Dewey
Made these today, they were amazing! They taste so good that I ate too much but they still make my mouth water even though I’m stuffed 😆
This recipe looks amazing! I am trying to make it tonight for my boyfriend’s birthday. I was going to make your mexican shredded recipe but I do not like spice. Do you have any suggestions on how I could alter this recipe to cook the chicken in an instant pot for 15 minutes? I am wondering if it would need more liquid. thank you so much!!
Also, do you suggest adding the sauce to the instant pot and cooking everything together at once? Thank you again!
This meal is a staple for our family. I cheat a little and mix all the ingredients together to pour over the chicken in the crockpot. It’s so easy and delicious on a hot day when I can’t think of cooking at the stovetop. The chicken is tender and the sauce is perfect (flavorful and nostalgic for my childhood and old el paso tacos!)
This were amazing. A huge hit for my girls taco night!! I had to use chicken breasts but they still turned out super juicy and tender. The flavor was amazing. Thanks Nagi for another great recipe!
Gah! Made these for Cinco de Mayo and they were fabulous. Well, I made quesadillas with THIS chicken recipe. So good that I’m looking forward to the leftovers for lunch today 🙂
Perfect Nancy!! N x
This was unbelievable! Best tacos I’ve ever had and super easy to make (even for a weeknight). Thank you!
Wahoo, thanks so much for letting me know Christina 🙂 N x
This was soooo good! So quick and easy, yet so delicious!
I used chicken breast as that was what I had in the fridge and it was great… not dry at all!
Perfect Sarah!! N x
We are trying this tomorrow night! I have cooked several of your recipes over the last few weeks and absolutely loved every single one. Thanks so much!