Okay, so picture this: it’s a Tuesday night, you’re *starving*, and the thought of a complicated dinner makes you wanna cry? That’s where my Easy Chicken Street Tacos come in to save the day! Seriously, I whipped these up last week when I was feeling totally brain-dead, and wow, they were gone in minutes. The chicken is packed with flavor, ready in, like, no time, and honestly, is there anything better than a warm tortilla piled high with deliciousness? I’ve been making these for years – tweaking them here and there until I finally landed on this super simple, super flavorful version. Trust me, these are gonna become a staple!
Why You’ll Love These Easy Chicken Street Tacos
Okay, let me tell you why these Easy Chicken Street Tacos are about to become your new favorite thing:
- Super Easy Prep: Seriously, it’s mostly just chopping and tossing stuff in a pan. Even *I* can manage it on a busy night!
- Quick Cooking Time: We’re talking dinner on the table in, like, 20 minutes flat. Perfect for those nights when you’re starving.
- Flavor Explosion: These aren’t bland, boring tacos. The spices give the chicken AMAZING flavor.
- Totally Versatile: You can load ’em up with whatever toppings you love. It’s taco night, make it your own!
- Weeknight Winner: Forget takeout! This is way faster, healthier, and, dare I say, tastier than anything you’ll order.
Ingredients for Easy Chicken Street Tacos
Alright, let’s gather up our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need for these ridiculously Easy Chicken Street Tacos:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into small pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste (to your liking – I like a generous pinch!)
- 12 corn tortillas (small ones are the *best* for street tacos!)
- Optional toppings: chopped cilantro, diced onion, lime wedges, your favorite salsa (I’m a sucker for pico de gallo!)
How to Make Easy Chicken Street Tacos
Okay, people, listen up! This is the part where the magic happens. Don’t worry, it’s not actually magic, just a few simple steps. Follow along, and you’ll be chowing down on some amazing Easy Chicken Street Tacos in no time!
- Prep the Chicken: First things first, grab that pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, and chop it into small-ish pieces. Kinda like you’re making stir-fry. This helps it cook super fast and evenly.
- Heat the Skillet: Get your skillet nice and hot! Medium-high heat is what we’re aiming for. Add about a tablespoon of olive oil. Give it a minute to shimmer – you want it hot enough that the chicken sizzles when it hits the pan. (Careful, it splatters sometimes!)
- Cook the Chicken: Alright, dump that chicken into the hot skillet! Don’t overcrowd the pan, or it’ll steam instead of brown. Just let it sit for a minute or two before you start stirring, so it gets a nice sear on one side. Cook until it’s browned and cooked all the way through. Usually takes about 5-7 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when there’s no more pink inside.
- Spice it Up!: Now for the flavor bomb! Sprinkle in that chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss it all together so the chicken is coated in deliciousness. Season with salt and pepper to your liking. Pro tip: I usually add a little *more* chili powder because I like a bit of a kick!
- Warm the Tortillas: Don’t even *think* about skipping this step! Warm tortillas are KEY. You can either char them quickly in a dry skillet (my fave!), or stack them up and microwave them for like, 30 seconds. Just make sure they’re nice and pliable, not stiff and crackly.
- Assemble and DEVOUR!: Okay, the BEST part. Fill each warm tortilla with the seasoned chicken and pile on your favorite toppings. Chopped cilantro, diced onion, a squeeze of lime, your go-to salsa… go wild! Serve immediately and prepare to be amazed.
Tips for the Best Easy Chicken Street Tacos
Want to take these Easy Chicken Street Tacos from “good” to “OMG AMAZING?” Here are a few of my go-to tips:
- Marinate for Extra Flavor: If you’ve got the time, marinate the chicken in the spices (plus a little lime juice!) for at least 30 minutes before cooking. Trust me, it makes a HUGE difference!
- Warm Tortillas the Right Way: Don’t just nuke ‘em! My fave is to char them in a dry skillet for a few seconds per side. They get all soft and toasty – SO good.
- Toppings are Key: Don’t skimp! Fresh cilantro, diced onion, a killer salsa… they all add so much flavor. My personal fave? A little crumbled cotija cheese. SO GOOD!
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Dry chicken = sad tacos. Cook it until it’s just cooked through, and no longer. And if you’re using thighs (which I highly recommend!) it’s harder to overcook them in the first place!
Variations for Your Chicken Street Tacos
Okay, so you’ve nailed the basic Easy Chicken Street Tacos? Awesome! Now, wanna get a little crazy and mix things up? Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing!
- Spice it Up: Swap out the chili powder for smoked paprika for a smoky twist. Or, add a pinch of cayenne pepper if you like things *really* spicy!
- Try Different Proteins: Not a chicken fan? No problem! Shrimp, steak, or even a cheesy quinoa and black bean mixture work great too.
- Get Creative with Toppings: Forget the usual suspects and try pickled onions, roasted corn, or a creamy avocado sauce. The sky’s the limit!
- Go Vegetarian: Use seasoned and crumbled tofu, or try sauteed mushrooms and bell peppers – yum!
Serving Suggestions for Easy Chicken Street Tacos
Okay, so you’ve got your ridiculously delicious Easy Chicken Street Tacos… now what? Well, you could just eat ’em straight up (and honestly, I wouldn’t blame you!), but if you’re looking to make it a *meal*, here are a few ideas:
- Mexican Rice – Always a classic!
- Refried Beans – Creamy, dreamy, and oh-so-good with tacos.
- A Simple Salad – Something light and fresh, like this apple arugula salad, cuts through the richness of the tacos perfectly.
FAQ About Easy Chicken Street Tacos
Got questions about these Easy Chicken Street Tacos? I got you! Here are a few of the most common things people ask me:
Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs?
You totally can! Chicken thighs are my personal favorite because they’re more flavorful and tender, but chicken breast works just fine. Just be careful *not* to overcook it, or it’ll get dry. I usually cut the cooking time down by a minute or two if I’m using breast.
What’s the best way to warm the tortillas?
Okay, confession time: sometimes I just microwave them! But the *best* way, hands down, is to char them in a dry skillet (cast iron is awesome if you have one!). Heat ’em for like, 15-20 seconds per side, until they’re soft and slightly browned. You can also wrap a stack of tortillas in damp paper towels and microwave them for about 30 seconds. Whatever works for you! Just get ’em warm!
What are some good toppings for chicken street tacos?
Oh man, the possibilities are endless! I always go for chopped cilantro, diced onion, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Salsa is a must, of course! If I’m feeling fancy, I’ll add some crumbled cotija cheese or a dollop of sour cream. But honestly, anything goes! Get creative and use what you love.
Can I make these ahead of time?
You can definitely prep the chicken ahead of time! Cook it according to the recipe instructions, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat the chicken and warm the tortillas. I wouldn’t assemble the tacos until you’re ready to serve them, or the tortillas might get soggy.
Estimated Nutritional Information
Okay, so just a heads-up: the nutrition info below is just an estimate, okay? Here’s roughly what you’re looking at per taco: Calories: 150, Fat: 7g, Protein: 10g, Carbs: 12g. Pretty good, right?
Enjoy Your Easy Chicken Street Tacos!
Alright, friends, that’s it! I hope you love these Easy Chicken Street Tacos as much as my family does. Now, go forth and make some deliciousness! And hey, if you try the recipe, be sure to leave a comment below and let me know what you think. Or, snap a pic and tag me on social media – I love seeing your creations!
Print
Easy Chicken Street Tacos
- Total Time: 20 min
- Yield: 12 tacos 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Simple and flavorful chicken street tacos.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 corn tortillas
- Optional toppings: chopped cilantro, diced onion, lime wedges, salsa
Instructions
- Cut chicken thighs into small pieces.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season with salt and pepper.
- Warm corn tortillas.
- Fill each tortilla with chicken and your favorite toppings.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- You can use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs, but thighs are more flavorful.
- Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 40mg



