Simple and scrumptious Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos garnished with zesty coleslaw and homemade avocado crema create the ideal EASY summer meal! Brimming with fresh tastes and nutritious components!
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Let’s TACO about barbecue season! When summer comes to mind, I instantly envision cookouts, pool festivities, and igniting the grill, and these cilantro lime chicken tacos serve as an exquisite flavorful dish to enjoy with your loved ones during this time. With such fresh tastes and vibrant visuals, I assure your friends will express their gratitude! Just don’t forget to mix in a margarita or two.
Why You’ll Adore this Recipe
- A wholesome and delectable meal bursting with flavor that can be ready in under 30 minutes!
- The cilantro lime marinade is AMAZING and brings an incredible taste to these tacos.
- You’ll also appreciate the velvety avocado crema and zesty coleslaw, but feel free to use any toppings you prefer!
Ingredients You’ll Require
- chicken – you’ll need 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for this dish.
- olive oil – this is for coating your shrimp and vegetables; I suggest a high-quality olive oil that need not be costly, just ensure it’s cold-pressed and organic for the richest flavor.
- limes – fresh lime juice and zest are essential for this marinade. The lime imparts a bright, fresh flavor to the tacos, just ensure to use fresh lime juice instead of the bottled variety.
- honey – adds a hint of sweetness and helps balance the tangy flavors; you could also opt for maple syrup or another natural sweetener.
- garlic – fresh garlic is always the best, but you can use one teaspoon of garlic powder if that’s all you have available.
- cilantro – lends a flavorful, fresh touch to the marinade.
- tortillas – I opted for flour tortillas for these tacos, but feel free to choose corn tortillas if you’re gluten-free or prefer another type.
- toppings – we’re topping these delightful tacos with a creamy avocado crema and zesty coleslaw (recipes below!), but you can also include fresh pico de gallo, guacamole, crumbled cotija cheese, and even additional fresh cilantro.
The creamy avocado crema is one of my go-to recipes, as seen in this salad here. It’s one of my favorite dressings and pairs exquisitely atop these tacos! I added just a tad more hot sauce than usual because I aimed for these tacos to have a nice kick, but adjust the amount to your preference.
How to Prepare Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos
- Make the marinade. In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, garlic, honey, and cilantro until blended.
- Marinate the chicken. Place chicken in a large resealable bag and pour the marinade over it, ensuring the chicken is thoroughly coated. Seal and marinate for around 4 hours to overnight.
- Prepare the coleslaw. While the chicken marinates, mix cabbage, carrots, green onions, and cilantro in a large bowl. In a smaller bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, honey, and salt, then combine with the slaw mixture.
- Make the avocado crema. In a food processor or strong blender, blend the avocado, garlic, cilantro, yogurt (or sour cream), lime juice, sriracha, and salt/pepper until integrated. With the motor running, gradually add olive oil and water until smooth, achieving your desired consistency.
- Grill the chicken. Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium heat and add the marinated chicken breasts. Lightly sprinkle with salt and grill for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side, until juices run clear. Transfer to a cutting board and rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This ensures they remain juicy!
- Assemble tacos. Slice the chicken (or shred with two forks) and serve with tortillas, coleslaw, and avocado crema, along with your preferred toppings.
Why You’ll Treasure this Coleslaw
Now let’s discuss this incredibly simple coleslaw! It’s crunchy, tasty, and adds a vibrant pop of color to the tacos, making it essential for this recipe. If you’re after a creamy coleslaw, this might not suit your needs, but I kept it much lighter by tossing it with some olive oil, lime juice, zest, and a dash of honey and allowing those flavors to meld just before serving. Simple, quick, and delectably good! This is also my go-to slaw for topping burgers and sandwiches or even adding to salads for extra crunch.
How to Serve
These cilantro lime chicken tacos are exquisite on their own, but here are some of my favorite sides (and drinks) I enjoy serving alongside when entertaining friends!
How to Store Leftovers
Keep any leftover chicken in a sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. Store any excess toppings in separate containers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat chicken in a skillet or microwave until wonderfully warm.
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I hope everyone relishes these Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos! If you enjoy this recipe as much as we do, please leave me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below and remember to tag me on Instagram with the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny! I adore seeing all your delicious recreations!