Tacos are a beloved food that offers endless possibilities when it comes to flavors and toppings. While the fillings and toppings make the taco, properly seasoning the meat is key to taking your tacos to the next level. When using chicken, in particular, seasoning is crucial for adding flavor and preventing dried out, bland meat.
So how exactly should you go about seasoning chicken for tacos? This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, from choosing the right chicken to experimenting with marinades, spices, and other flavor boosters. Follow these tips and tricks to serve up chicken tacos that are juicy, packed with flavor, and sure to satisfy.
Choosing the Right Chicken Cut
Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs are best for tacos. Chicken breasts cook quickly and are versatile and easy to slice or shred. For extra moisture and richness opt for boneless thighs. Whatever cut you choose, make sure it’s fresh and high-quality for optimal flavor.
Seasoning Techniques for Chicken
Marinating
Soaking chicken in a marinade imparts tons of flavor Try marinating for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
Quick Marinade Recipe
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper
Dry Spice Rubs
A dry rub coats the chicken with spices for flavor without extra moisture. Apply the rub generously and let it sit for at least 10 minutes before cooking.
Spice Rub Ideas:
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Garlic powder
- Oregano
- Smoked paprika
- Onion powder
Sauces
Drizzling sauces over cooked chicken tacos provides moisture and kicks the flavor up a notch. Consider chimichurri, salsa verde, guacamole, chipotle sauce, or lime crema.
Creative Seasoning Ideas
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Citrus: Lime, lemon, and orange brighten up the chicken’s flavor. Use juice and zest.
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Fresh herbs: Cilantro, cumin, oregano, and parsley provide freshness.
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Spicy: Chili powder, cayenne, jalapeños, and salsa bring heat.
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Savory: Garlic, onion, paprika, and cumin add depth.
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Sweet: A touch of brown sugar balances out the spices.
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Tangy: Tomatillos, tomato salsa, pickled veggies, and hot sauce lend acidity.
Putting It All Together
Now that you’re armed with seasoning knowledge, here is one way to put it into action for tacos:
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup chili powder
- 2 tbsp cumin
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Juice of 1 lime
- Tortillas, toppings, etc.
Instructions:
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Pound chicken to even thickness and cut into strips.
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In a bag or bowl, mix chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, and lime juice to form a paste.
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Add chicken and coat thoroughly. Marinate for 30-60 minutes.
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Cook chicken in a skillet until browned and cooked through.
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Warm tortillas and assemble tacos with desired toppings.
Pro Tip: Save any extra seasoned chicken in the fridge to use throughout the week!
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to cook seasoned chicken for tacos?
Pan-frying, grilling, baking, and sautéing are all excellent cooking methods. Make sure to cook until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Should I use bone-in or boneless chicken?
Boneless is easiest. It cooks quickly and is simple to slice or shred for tacos.
How long does chicken need to marinate?
At least 30 minutes, but overnight is ideal for maximum flavor infusion.
What are good taco toppings?
Shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, avocado, cotija cheese, cilantro, pickled onions, salsa, lime wedges, etc.
Can I prepare tacos in advance?
Yes! Cook chicken, then store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Assemble tacos just before serving.
What if my chicken tacos are bland?
Re-season with more salt, acid (lime juice), and spice. Or, serve with hot sauce, salsa, or other bold condiments.
The Takeaway
With the right techniques, it’s easy to take chicken from bland and boring to flavorful and fantastic. Marinating, spice rubs, and bold seasonings are key for chicken that’s juicy, vibrant, and satisfyingly seasoned. Get creative with flavors and let your chicken tacos shine!
How To Make Chicken Tacos
• Olive Oil: Use your favorite extra-virgin olive oil here, or checkout Delish’s list of the best (and worst!) olive oil brands. • Chicken: While some recipes use chicken thighs, I use boneless skinless chicken breasts in this recipe for a couple of reasons: they’re easy to cook, and I usually always have some on hand. • Seasonings: My homemade spice mix for these chicken tacos only requires 5 ingredients: chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne for a bit of heat. Put the pre-made packet away—trust me, it’s worth it to make your spice mix from scratch. • Tortillas: I love corn tortillas for this recipe, but if youre more of a flour tortilla person, feel free to sub those in instead! As far as heating your tortillas goes, you’ve got a few options. If you’ve got a gas burner, turn it to medium-low and place your tortillas directly on the burner. Let them toast for a few seconds (you can always peek using some tongs) flip, and toast some more. Not only will this give your tortillas some nice smoky flavor, itll also make them more pliable. Never walk away from the stove when youre toasting tortillas on an open flame—no one wants to deal with a flaming tortilla! If you have an electric burner, heat a cast iron skillet over high heat and add your tortillas in a single layer. Toast, flipping occasionally, until warm and pliable. • Toppings: I say the more toppings, the merrier. I like my chicken tacos topped with red onion (pickled onions would be great too), avocado, cilantro, and cheese. Pico de gallo, salsa, crema, or some crushed corn chips would also be delicious. Really anything goes with these tacos.
While your oil is heating in a pan, season your strips of chicken with salt and pepper. Cook your chicken until golden, and then add your spice mix. Tip: To help the spices coat the chicken, add a little bit of oil or water to your spice mix before coating your chicken. Stir until fully coated, then cook for around a minute more.
Now, its time for the fun part: Load up your tacos with your toppings! Add your chicken to your warmed tortillas (you can do this in a dry skillet over high heat, about 3 seconds per side), and go crazy with all of your desired toppings.
The full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe below.
- When to season your chicken. I prefer to add my spice mix to my chicken while it’s cooking in the pan, but you can also marinate your chicken if you prefer. Add the sliced chicken to a large resealable bag and pour in olive oil, fresh lime juice, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Refrigerate chicken for at least 30 minutes. When ready to cook, remove chicken from marinade and continue on with the recipe.
- Grilled Chicken Tacos: If youre looking to get the grill out, then these grilled chicken tacos will be the perfect summer dinner.
- Crispy Chipotle Chicken Tacos: These cheesy, crispy tacos are flavor-packed in every bite. If you havent tried this cheesy “taco shell” before, trust me when I say its incredible.
- Shredded Chicken Tacos: I love a shredded chicken moment, and these easy tacos are a great way to use up any leftovers.