Tacos, a beloved dish originating from Mexico, have gained international popularity for their delicious versatility and endless customization possibilities. These chicken tacos promise to tantalize your taste buds with tender, flavorful chicken and a symphony of fresh toppings, all nestled in warm tortillas. In this recipe, I have used hard taco shells and ground chicken, but you can easily swap it out for soft taco wraps and ground beef. While some people might say these tacos aren't authentic, what matters most is how good they taste. They might not follow all the traditional rules, but they bring joy with every bite. It shows that cooking is always changing, and sometimes the best meals come from mixing old and new ideas.
Instructions:
Chop half an onion and 2 green onion sticks. We will use a portion of the onion for the chicken filling and the rest for the toppings.
In a bowl, mix together 1/2 tbsp cumin powder, 1/2 tbsp red chili powder, 1/2 tbsp salt, 1 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, and around 1 tsp black pepper.
In a pan, sauté the chopped onions until they're soft.
Add 1 1/2 pounds of ground chicken to the pan and cook until it's no longer pink.
Stir in the ginger garlic paste (about 1 tsp) and 2 tsp oregano.
Add the spice mixture to the chicken and mix well.
Add in the green onions
Let it cook for a few minutes until the flavors blend together. Usually ground chicken takes around 6-10 minutes to cook.
Instructions for Toppings:
In a bowl add the rest of the onion and 1 small tomato diced.
Chop 2 tbsp of pickled jalapeños.
Mix the diced onion, tomato, and jalapeños together in a bowl.
Add 1 tbsp lemon or lime juice and mix well.
Instructions for Sauce:
In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp barbecue sauce, 2 tbsp ketchup, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp onion powder, 2 tsp brown sugar, a dash of oregano, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp allspice, 2 tbsp water, and 1 tbsp salsa.
Mix until well combined.
Assembling the Tacos:
Warm the taco shells according to package instructions.
Fill each taco shell with the cooked chicken filling.
Top the chicken with the onion, tomato, and jalapeño mixture.
Drizzle the sauce over the tacos.
Add shredded cheese on top if desired. If you want the cheese to melt a little put the tacos back into the air-fryer or oven for around 3 minutes, or until the cheese melts.
Serve and enjoy your delicious homemade chicken tacos!
Instructions with Images:
Instructions for Chicken Filling:
Begin by gathering and preparing all the necessary ingredients. Chop half an onion and 2 green onion sticks finely. From that half onion, take out a portion for the toppings we will be making later. The rest of it will be used in the chicken filling. Set aside. I used a red onion but regular white onions will work just as fine.
2. In a small bowl, combine the following spices: 1/2 tablespoon of cumin powder, 1/2 tablespoon of red chili powder, 1/2 tablespoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of paprika, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, and approximately 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Mix well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed. Set aside.
3. Heat around 2 tablespoon of cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onions to the skillet.
4. Sauté the onions until they become soft and translucent, stirring occasionally. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes.
5. Once the onions are soft, add the ground chicken to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula or wooden spoon to ensure even cooking.
6. Cook the chicken until it's no longer pink, stirring occasionally to break up any clumps. This typically takes around 5-7 minutes.
7. Once the chicken is cooked through, sprinkle the prepared spice mixture evenly over the chicken in the skillet.
8. Stir the chicken and spices together until the chicken is evenly coated with the spices. Allow it to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
9. Add 2 teaspoons of dried oregano and approximately 1 teaspoon of ginger garlic paste (fresh or frozen) to the skillet. Stir well to incorporate the additional flavors into the chicken mixture.
10. Add in the green onions now. Green onions are known to cook quickly which is why we add them towards the end.
11. Continue to cook the chicken for another 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and ensure all ingredients are well combined.
12. Taste the chicken and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Remove the skillet from the heat and set it aside while you prepare the toppings and sauce.
Instructions for Toppings:
Dice the remaining half of the onion and 1 small tomato into small, uniform pieces. Chop 2 tablespoons of pickled jalapeños into smaller pieces.
Combine the diced onion, diced tomato, and chopped jalapeños in a mixing bowl. Use a spoon or fork to toss the ingredients together until they are evenly mixed.
Squeeze the juice of 1 tablespoon of lemon or lime over the onion, tomato, and jalapeño mixture. Mix well to ensure the acidity is evenly distributed and coats all the ingredients.
Instructions for Sauce:
In a separate small bowl, prepare the sauce by combining 2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder, 2 teaspoons of brown sugar, a dash of oregano, 1/2 teaspoon of paprika, 1 teaspoon of allspice, 2 tablespoons of water, and 1 tablespoon of salsa.
Use a spoon or whisk to thoroughly mix all the ingredients together until they form a smooth, cohesive sauce. Set aside for later use.
Assembling the Tacos:
Preheat your oven to 325°F (162°C) and warm up your taco shells according to the package instructions. This can be done in the oven, on the stovetop, air-fryer or in the microwave. Warm taco shells are more pliable and less likely to crack when filled.
Once the taco shells are warmed, carefully fill each shell with a generous portion of the prepared chicken filling using a spoon or spatula.
Next, add a spoonful of the prepared onion, tomato, and jalapeño mixture on top of the chicken filling in each taco shell.
Drizzle some of the prepared sauce over the top of each taco, ensuring even coverage.
Optionally, sprinkle some shredded cheese on top of the tacos for an additional layer of flavor and texture. After this you can place the tacos in the oven or air-fryer if you'd like the cheese to melt. This is optional.
Arrange the assembled tacos on a serving platter and garnish with additional chopped cilantro or lime wedges if desired.
Serve the tacos immediately while they are still warm, and enjoy your delicious homemade chicken tacos!
Additional Information:
Choosing the Right Tortillas: When selecting taco shells for your chicken tacos, consider whether you prefer corn or flour tortillas. Corn tortillas offer a traditional, slightly chewy texture with a pronounced corn flavor, while flour tortillas are softer and more pliable. You can warm the tortillas before assembling the tacos to enhance their flavor and texture.
Preparation Tips for Ground Chicken: Ground chicken is the star of these tacos, and ensuring it's cooked to perfection is key. When cooking ground chicken, break it apart into small pieces to ensure even cooking. You can also drain any excess fat from the skillet after cooking for a leaner filling.
Customizing the Spice Level: Adjust the amount of chili powder and jalapeños in the recipe to suit your desired spice level. If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of chili powder and omit or reduce the quantity of jalapeños. Conversely, if you enjoy a spicier kick, increase the amount of chili powder and jalapeños to your taste.
Sauce Versatility: The sauce provided in the recipe adds a delicious tangy-sweet flavor to the tacos. However, feel free to customize the sauce according to your preferences. You can adjust the sweetness, acidity, and spiciness levels by adding more or less of the ingredients listed. Additionally, you can experiment with different types of sauces, such as hot sauce, salsa verde, or chipotle sauce, to create unique flavor profiles.
Garnishing and Presentation: Garnish your tacos with fresh herbs like cilantro or a squeeze of lime juice for added brightness and freshness. Arrange the assembled tacos on a platter and serve them alongside additional toppings and sauces for guests to customize their tacos according to their taste preferences.
Preventing Soggy Taco Shells: To ensure your taco shells stay crispy and don't become soggy, it's essential to remove excess moisture from the cooked chicken filling. After cooking the ground chicken, allow any excess liquid to evaporate by continuing to cook it over medium heat until the moisture has evaporated.
Questions you might have:
What type of tortillas should I use: corn or flour?
It depends on personal preference and the type of taco you're making. Corn tortillas are traditional in Mexican cuisine and have a slightly chewier texture with a more pronounced corn flavor. Flour tortillas are softer and more pliable, making them suitable for larger fillings or burrito-style tacos.
What are some vegetarian or vegan options for taco fillings?
Some options include black beans, refried beans, grilled vegetables (such as peppers, onions, and mushrooms), seasoned tofu or tempeh, jackfruit cooked in barbecue sauce, or cauliflower seasoned with taco spices.
Can I use pre-made taco seasoning or should I make my own?
You can use pre-made taco seasoning for convenience, but making your own allows you to control the flavor and adjust the spices to your liking. A homemade blend typically includes chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
How do I make homemade salsa for tacos?
To make a simple salsa, combine diced tomatoes, onions, jalapeños or other chili peppers, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Adjust the ingredients to taste and consider adding variations like roasted tomatoes or tomatillos for different flavors.
Are there any traditional Mexican sauces I should try with my tacos?
Yes, traditional Mexican sauces include salsa roja (red salsa), salsa verde (green salsa), salsa ranchera, salsa taquera, and salsa de aguacate (avocado salsa). Each adds its own unique flavor and heat level to tacos.
Watch the video on how to make these delicious tacos here:
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