Grilled Chicken Tacos topped with Cilantro and Lime

Simple and scrumptious Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos garnished with zesty coleslaw and homemade avocado crema create an ideal EASY summer dish! Bursting with vibrant flavors and nutritious ingredients!

Let’s TACO ’bout BBQ season! When summer comes to mind, I instantly envision cookouts, pool get-togethers, and lighting up the grill—these cilantro lime chicken tacos are the ultimate flavorsome recipe to share with your loved ones this time of year. With these vibrant flavors and stunning hues, your friends are sure to appreciate your efforts! Just remember to include a margarita or two.

Reasons to Adore this Recipe

• Wholesome and flavorful meal that can be prepared in less than 30 minutes!
• The cilantro lime marinade is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING and imparts tons of flavor to these tacos.
• You’ll also enjoy the luscious avocado crema and tangy coleslaw, but you’re welcome to utilize any toppings you prefer!

Necessary Ingredients

• chicken – you will need 1 1/2 lbs of boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs for this dish.
• olive oil – this is for coating your shrimp and vegetables; I recommend using a quality olive oil that’s not necessarily costly, but be sure it’s cold-pressed and organic for the best taste.
• limes – fresh lime juice and zest are required for this marinade. The lime brings such a fresh, lively flavor to the tacos, so ensure you use fresh lime juice rather than bottled.
• honey – introduces a touch of sweetness to balance the tangy flavors; you may substitute with maple syrup or other natural sweeteners.
• garlic – fresh garlic is always preferable, but feel free to use one teaspoon of garlic powder if you lack fresh garlic.
• cilantro – contributes a flavorful fresh taste to the marinade.
• tortillas – I opted for flour tortillas for these tacos, but you can use corn tortillas for a gluten-free option or your preferred style of tortilla.
• toppings – these tasty tacos are topped with creamy avocado crema and zesty coleslaw (recipes provided below!), but you can also add fresh pico de gallo, guacamole, crumbled cotija cheese, or even more fresh cilantro.

Crafting Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos

1. Prepare the marinade. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, garlic, honey, and cilantro until mixed.
2. Let the chicken marinate. Put the chicken in a large ziplock bag and pour the marinade on top, ensuring the chicken is fully covered. Seal and marinate for around 4 hours to overnight.
3. Prepare the coleslaw. While the chicken marinates, combine cabbage, carrots, green onions and cilantro in a large bowl. In a smaller bowl, mix lime juice, olive oil, honey, and salt, then toss this with the slaw mixture.
4. Create the avocado crema. In a food processor or high-speed blender, mix avocado, garlic, cilantro, yogurt (or sour cream), lime juice, sriracha, and salt/pepper until combined. With the motor running, gradually add olive oil and water until smooth to your desired consistency.
5. Grill the chicken. Preheat your outdoor grill or grill pan to medium heat and add the marinated chicken breasts. Season lightly with salt and grill for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side until the juices run clear. Move the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This ensures they remain juicy!
6. Construct the tacos. Cut the chicken (or shred it with two forks) and serve with tortillas, coleslaw, and avocado crema, accompanied by any other toppings you enjoy.

Why You’ll Adore this Coleslaw

Let’s discuss this incredibly simple coleslaw! It’s crunchy, flavorful, and adds a lovely pop of color to the tacos—making it a MUST for this recipe. If you desire a creamy coleslaw, you may want to look elsewhere, as I kept it much healthier by simply mixing it with a dash of olive oil, lime juice, zest, and a hint of honey, allowing those flavors to meld just before serving. Simple, quick, and delicious! This is also my go-to slaw to top off burgers and sandwiches or toss into salads for a delightful crunch.

Serving Suggestions

These cilantro lime chicken tacos are delightful on their own, but here are some of my preferred sides (and drinks) to serve alongside, particularly when entertaining friends!

Storing Leftovers

Keep any remaining chicken in a sealed, airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. Store leftover toppings separately for up to 5 days. Reheat the chicken in a skillet or microwave until warmed through.

More Taco Inspired Dishes

Additional Mexican Cuisine Recipes

Hope you all relish these Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos! If you enjoy this recipe as much as we do, please leave me a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny! I love seeing all your tasty recreations!