Tacos are a beloved food that offers endless possibilities when it comes to flavors and toppings. While the fillings and toppings make the taco, properly seasoning the meat is key to taking your tacos to the next level. When using chicken, in particular, seasoning is crucial for adding flavor and preventing dried out, bland meat.
How exactly should you season chicken for tacos? This complete guide will show you how to do it, from picking the right chicken to trying out marinades, spices, and other ways to make food taste better. These tips will help you make chicken tacos that are juicy, full of flavor, and sure to please.
Choosing the Right Chicken Cut
Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs are best for tacos. Chicken breasts cook quickly and are versatile and easy to slice or shred. For extra moisture and richness opt for boneless thighs. Whatever cut you choose, make sure it’s fresh and high-quality for optimal flavor.
Seasoning Techniques for Chicken
Marinating
Putting chicken in a marinade for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight will give it a lot of flavor.
Quick Marinade Recipe
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper
Dry Spice Rubs
A dry rub covers the chicken in spices to make it taste good without adding extra water. Put on a lot of the rub and wait at least 10 minutes before cooking.
Spice Rub Ideas:
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Garlic powder
- Oregano
- Smoked paprika
- Onion powder
Sauces
Drizzling sauces over cooked chicken tacos provides moisture and kicks the flavor up a notch. Consider chimichurri, salsa verde, guacamole, chipotle sauce, or lime crema.
Creative Seasoning Ideas
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Citrus: Lime, lemon, and orange brighten up the chicken’s flavor. Use juice and zest.
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Fresh herbs: Cilantro, cumin, oregano, and parsley provide freshness.
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Spicy: Chili powder, cayenne, jalapeños, and salsa bring heat.
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Savory: Garlic, onion, paprika, and cumin add depth.
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Sweet: A touch of brown sugar balances out the spices.
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Tangy: Tomatillos, tomato salsa, pickled veggies, and hot sauce lend acidity.
Putting It All Together
Now that you’re armed with seasoning knowledge, here is one way to put it into action for tacos:
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup chili powder
- 2 tbsp cumin
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Juice of 1 lime
- Tortillas, toppings, etc.
Instructions:
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Pound chicken to even thickness and cut into strips.
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In a bag or bowl, mix chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, and lime juice to form a paste.
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Add chicken and coat thoroughly. Marinate for 30-60 minutes.
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Cook chicken in a skillet until browned and cooked through.
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Warm tortillas and assemble tacos with desired toppings.
Pro Tip: Save any extra seasoned chicken in the fridge to use throughout the week!
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to cook seasoned chicken for tacos?
Pan-frying, grilling, baking, and sautéing are all excellent cooking methods. Make sure to cook until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Should I use bone-in or boneless chicken?
Boneless is easiest. It cooks quickly and is simple to slice or shred for tacos.
How long does chicken need to marinate?
At least 30 minutes, but overnight is ideal for maximum flavor infusion.
What are good taco toppings?
Shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, avocado, cotija cheese, cilantro, pickled onions, salsa, lime wedges, etc.
Can I prepare tacos in advance?
Yes! Cook chicken, then store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Assemble tacos just before serving.
What if my chicken tacos are bland?
Re-season with more salt, acid (lime juice), and spice. Or, serve with hot sauce, salsa, or other bold condiments.
The Takeaway
With the right techniques, it’s easy to take chicken from bland and boring to flavorful and fantastic. Marinating, spice rubs, and bold seasonings are key for chicken that’s juicy, vibrant, and satisfyingly seasoned. Get creative with flavors and let your chicken tacos shine!
How To Make Chicken Tacos
• Extra-virgin olive oil: Use your favorite brand here, or check out Delish’s list of the best (and worst!) olive oil brands. • Chicken: Some recipes call for chicken thighs, but I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts in this one because they’re easy to cook and I always have some on hand. • Seasonings: chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper for heat make up the five-ingredient spice mix I use to make these chicken tacos. Put the pre-made packet away—trust me, it’s worth it to make your spice mix from scratch. • Tortillas: I like to use corn tortillas for this recipe, but if you prefer flour tortillas, feel free to use those instead! There are a few different ways to heat your tortillas. If you’ve got a gas burner, turn it to medium-low and place your tortillas directly on the burner. Let them toast for a few seconds (you can always peek using some tongs) flip, and toast some more. Not only will this give your tortillas some nice smoky flavor, itll also make them more pliable. As you toast tortillas over an open flame, don’t leave the stove—no one wants to deal with a tortilla on fire! If you have an electric burner, heat a cast iron skillet over high heat and add the tortillas in a single layer. Toast, flipping occasionally, until warm and pliable. • Toppings: I say the more toppings, the merrier. I like my chicken tacos topped with red onion (pickled onions would be great too), avocado, cilantro, and cheese. Pico de gallo, salsa, crema, or some crushed corn chips would also be delicious. Really anything goes with these tacos.
While your oil is heating in a pan, season your strips of chicken with salt and pepper. Cook your chicken until golden, and then add your spice mix. Tip: To help the spices coat the chicken, add a little bit of oil or water to your spice mix before coating your chicken. Stir until fully coated, then cook for around a minute more.
Now, its time for the fun part: Load up your tacos with your toppings! Add your chicken to your warmed tortillas (you can do this in a dry skillet over high heat, about 3 seconds per side), and go crazy with all of your desired toppings.
The full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe below.
- When to season your chicken. While my chicken is cooking in the pan, I like to add my spice mix to it. You can also marinate your chicken if you’d rather. Put the chicken slices in a large bag that can be closed again and again. Add the fresh lime juice, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Refrigerate chicken for at least 30 minutes. If you’re ready to cook, take the chicken out of the marinade and keep going with the recipe.
- Grilled Chicken Tacos: These grilled chicken tacos are the perfect summer dinner if you want to grill something.
- Chicken tacos from Chipotle that are crispy and cheesy. Each bite is full of flavor. If you haven’t tried this cheesy “taco shell” yet, I promise you it’s great.
- Recipe for Shredded Chicken Tacos: I love shredded chicken, and these simple tacos are a great way to use up any extra.