It takes just 20 minutes to serve up these delightful chicken tacos! Tender, tasty, and completely effortless in the most delightful sense.
In This Post
These Are My Go-To Chicken Tacos, And You Can Whip Them Up Without Even Looking!
We have numerous fantastic chicken taco recipes featured on Pinch of Yum (this one, in particular, is a favorite of mine!), but often, I crave a simple, straightforward chicken taco recipe for a Tuesday evening that’s uncomplicated enough that I don’t even need to reference a recipe.
I want to switch my brain off completely, enter autopilot, and have these tasty chicken tacos on the table in just 20 minutes. (It would be perfect if they’re among the most scrumptious tacos I’ve ever prepared.)
And thus, I found my way to what is likely our new household chicken taco favorite. This is my current go-to. The chicken for these tacos is succulent, seasoned to perfection, and often devoured straight from the cutting board. Just utterly simple in the most delightful manner.
Remember three key ingredients:
- Taco seasoning
- Garlic
- Soy sauce
These three game-changers provide us with an abundance of flavor. The chicken achieves a beautifully seared exterior, resembling something straight off the grill. And once the chicken is ready, you’re clear to go! Add some green sauce, wrap it in a tortilla, create a rice bowl or burrito, and things just got incredibly good.
I typically finish it off with cilantro and onions, but it would also shine with pickled onions and/or a fresh green salad on the side!
Don’t skip the green sauce, unless you’re pressed for time, in which case you can still enjoy it with a favorite store-bought salsa (like Mateo’s or Trader Joe’s guacasalsa). Alternatively, for an even quicker homemade option: this quick 2-minute avocado dip!
Household favorite. Extra lime squeezes. Life is wonderful!
Welcome to My Home! Let’s Prepare Chicken Tacos.
Quick Overview of These Chicken Tacos
Season the Chicken.
You’ll need three main components: taco seasoning, garlic, and a splash of soy sauce! In this image, I’ve placed the taco seasoning on the chicken first, but I’ve found that mixing yields better results if you start with the wet ingredients (oil and soy sauce) and then finish with a quick mix in the dry spices! It doesn’t clump as much.
Cook the Chicken.
I prefer to air fry it – 400 degrees for 11 minutes. See alternate cooking methods below if you lack an air fryer! And if you’re in the market for one – here’s my recommendation! (affiliate link)
Prepare a Green Sauce.
This is optional but this kind of sauce truly enhances your life. This is the blender I used for the video! (affiliate link)
Chop the Chicken.
Just dice it into bite-sized chunks, similar to how it’s done at Chipotle. While you’re at it, chop some cilantro and onions too!
All Done! Yum!
Goodness, I can devour a lot of these.
Incredibly Delicious Chicken Tacos with Green Sauce
Total Time:
22 minutesYield:
2–4 servings 1x
Description
It takes just 20 minutes to serve up these delightful chicken tacos! Tender, tasty, and completely effortless in the most delightful sense.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken Tacos
Avocado Aji Verde
Extras
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Trim the fat off the chicken thighs if you desire (I do). Toss the chicken thighs with soy sauce, oil, and garlic. Sprinkle with taco seasoning and give it a quick mix.
- Cook the Chicken: Place the chicken in the basket of an air fryer (alternate cooking instructions are provided in the notes). Air fry at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes – it should be all crusty, golden, juicy, and absolutely delightful.
- Make the Sauce: While the chicken is preparing, blend up the sauce in a small food processor or blender. If it appears too thick, add a little water. If it’s too thin, mix in a bit more avocado or mayo.
- Chop the Chicken: Once cooked, allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before roughly dicing or shredding into bite-sized pieces. Squeeze some lime juice over it. *chef’s kiss*
- You’re All Set! Yum! A dollop of sauce on a tortilla, a mound of that tender chicken, topped with cilantro and diced onion (and probably more sauce)! It truly feels like a dream come true.
Notes
Oven Instructions: Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes! If using chicken breasts, slice them in half if they’re thick, and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, ensuring they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
When you place the chicken in the air fryer (or on a baking tray), if it appears that there’s inadequate seasoning, simply sprinkle a bit more taco seasoning and oil to evenly cover the surface, or brush some of the extra flavor paste from the bowl onto it. While not necessary for flavor, it enhances the visual appeal!
I typically air fry mine for 11 minutes at 400 degrees – that seems to be the optimal setting for my air fryer, though each one may differ slightly. Aim for an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Here’s my recommended meat thermometer that I use routinely to ensure accuracy when cooking chicken!
Each taco seasoning varies, so you may need to experiment to find one that works best for you! Many include a starchy component like cornstarch to help achieve the crisp, golden finish on the chicken. Some might be sweeter, spicier, saltier, etc. I commonly use the Siete taco seasoning (mild), which is perfect for my kids, yet delicious enough for my husband and me as well. It’s our favorite!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Keywords: chicken tacos, easy chicken tacos, best chicken tacos, air fryer chicken
Commonly Asked Questions About These Chicken Tacos
What tortillas have been used in the photos?
These are La Tortilla Factory yellow corn-flour blend! I warm them in a dry cast iron skillet first to ensure they’re soft and pliable.
Can Greek yogurt be substituted for mayo?
Absolutely! The sauce will have a slightly tangy flavor – different but still delightful! A full-fat Greek yogurt is preferable if possible!
What can I use instead of cilantro?
You can use the green parts of green onions!
Can the sauce be made without Cotija cheese? (dairy-free)
Yes! Totally doable. I’ve done it numerous times. Just add a bit of salt to compensate for the missing flavor!
Is it possible to use chicken breasts?
I haven’t experimented with that (yet), but it should be fine! The exterior might differ as breast meat has less fat compared to thighs, which affects how crispy they become.
What are the alternative methods for cooking chicken without an air fryer?
For chicken thighs, bake them at 425 degrees for around 20 minutes! (Keep in mind: the goal is a temp of 165 degrees and a beautiful golden finish.) Pan-frying or grilling is also an option!
Which air fryer do you recommend?
I really like the Ninja Pro XL! (affiliate link)