Chicken Street Tacos are a classic Mexican-inspired favorite made with juicy marinated chicken, warm corn tortillas, and fresh toppings. This Chicken Street Tacos recipe delivers bold, smoky flavor with simple ingredients, making it perfect for casual dinners, parties, or weekend grilling.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Juicy, flavorful chicken with a citrusy marinade
- Easy to prepare and great for meal prep
- Perfect for gatherings, taco nights, or grilling season
- Customizable with your favorite toppings
- Naturally halal-friendly with simple ingredients
Ingredients
For the Tacos
- 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 24 white corn tortillas, warmed
- 2 cups pico de gallo
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 6 lime wedges
- Optional toppings: guacamole, sour cream, pickled red onion, hot sauce
For the Marinade
- 4 tbsp orange juice
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 1/2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 tbsp chipotle chili powder
- 2 tsp dried Mexican oregano
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all marinade ingredients and mix well.
- Add chicken and coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat and grease grates well.
- Grill chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until fully cooked and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer chicken to a plate and rest for 5 minutes, then chop into small pieces.
- Warm tortillas briefly on a dry skillet or grill.
- Assemble Chicken Street Tacos by layering two tortillas, adding chopped chicken, pico de gallo, cilantro, and desired toppings.
- Serve with lime wedges for squeezing on top.
Tips & Tricks
- Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts on the grill
- Marinate overnight for maximum flavor
- Double up tortillas to prevent tearing
- Add smoked paprika for deeper smoky notes
- Grill tortillas lightly for extra texture
Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Marinating Time: 1–12 hours
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes (plus marinating)
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly, dairy-free optional
Notes
- Chicken can be cooked on stovetop or oven if grill is unavailable
- Serve with Mexican rice, elotes, or fresh salad
- Great for taco bars and parties
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: 430
- Protein: 32 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fat: 18 g
FAQ
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, but thighs are juicier and more forgiving on the grill.
Are Chicken Street Tacos spicy?
They have mild heat; reduce chili powder for less spice.
Can I cook the chicken indoors?
Yes, use a grill pan or cast-iron skillet.
What tortillas are best?
White corn tortillas are traditional and authentic.
Is this recipe halal?
Yes, all ingredients are halal-friendly.
Storage
- Fridge: Store chicken separately for up to 3 days
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken up to 2 months
- Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water
Similar Recipes
Chicken Street Tacos
Chicken Street Tacos are made with grilled marinated chicken and warm corn tortillas.
Ingredients
For the Tacos
- 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 24 white corn tortillas warmed
- 2 cups pico de gallo
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 6 lime wedges
- Optional toppings: guacamole sour cream, pickled red onion, hot sauce
For the Marinade
- 4 tbsp orange juice
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 1/2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 1/2 tbsp chipotle chili powder
- 2 tsp dried Mexican oregano
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all marinade ingredients and mix well.
- Add chicken and coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat and grease grates well.
- Grill chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until fully cooked and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer chicken to a plate and rest for 5 minutes, then chop into small pieces.
- Warm tortillas briefly on a dry skillet or grill.
- Assemble Chicken Street Tacos by layering two tortillas, adding chopped chicken, pico de gallo, cilantro, and desired toppings.
- Serve with lime wedges for squeezing on top.
Notes
- Chicken can be cooked on stovetop or oven if grill is unavailable
Conclusion
These Chicken Street Tacos are simple, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. With juicy marinated chicken and fresh toppings, they deliver street-style flavor right from your own kitchen.