Grilled chicken tacos are a delightful and easy-to-make dish that brings together the smoky flavors of grilled chicken with fresh and vibrant toppings. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual gathering with friends, these tacos are sure to be a hit.
If you don't usually have cilantro or avocado at home, you might need to pick them up at the supermarket. Cilantro adds a fresh, citrusy flavor that complements the grilled chicken perfectly, while avocado provides a creamy texture that balances the crunch of the lettuce and onions.
Ingredients For Grilled Chicken Tacos
Chicken breast: The main protein for the tacos, providing a lean and flavorful base.
Tortillas: Soft, small-sized wraps that hold all the delicious fillings together.
Lettuce: Adds a fresh, crisp texture to the tacos.
Tomatoes: Diced for a juicy and slightly tangy addition.
Onions: Diced for a bit of sharpness and crunch.
Cilantro: Chopped for a fresh, citrusy flavor that enhances the overall taste.
Avocado: Sliced for a creamy texture that balances the other ingredients.
Lime: Cut into wedges to add a zesty finish when squeezed over the tacos.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When grilling chicken breast, ensure it is pounded to an even thickness to promote uniform cooking. This prevents the thinner parts from drying out while the thicker parts finish cooking. Additionally, marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes before grilling can enhance its flavor and tenderness.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
chicken breast - Substitute with grilled tofu: Tofu has a firm texture that can mimic the chewiness of chicken and absorbs marinades well.
chicken breast - Substitute with jackfruit: When cooked, jackfruit has a shredded texture similar to pulled chicken, making it a great plant-based alternative.
small tortillas - Substitute with corn tortillas: Corn tortillas are naturally vegan and provide a slightly different flavor and texture.
shredded lettuce - Substitute with shredded cabbage: Cabbage adds a nice crunch and holds up well in tacos.
diced tomatoes - Substitute with diced cherry tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes are sweet and juicy, adding a burst of flavor.
diced onions - Substitute with green onions: Green onions offer a milder flavor and a bit of color contrast.
chopped cilantro - Substitute with parsley: Parsley provides a fresh, slightly peppery flavor that can replace cilantro.
avocado - Substitute with guacamole: Guacamole adds creaminess and additional flavor to the tacos.
lime - Substitute with lemon: Lemon provides a similar acidic brightness to the dish.
Other Alternative Recipes
How To Store / Freeze This Recipe
- Allow the chicken breast to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the chicken soggy.
- Store the grilled chicken in an airtight container. You can slice it before storing or keep it whole to retain moisture.
- Place the tortillas in a resealable plastic bag or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil. This keeps them soft and prevents them from drying out.
- Keep the shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced onions, and chopped cilantro in separate containers. This ensures that each ingredient stays fresh and crisp.
- Store the avocado slices in an airtight container with a squeeze of lime juice to prevent browning.
- For freezing, wrap the grilled chicken tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer-safe bag. This helps maintain its flavor and texture.
- Freeze the tortillas by stacking them with parchment paper between each one, then placing them in a freezer-safe bag. This makes it easy to take out just the number you need.
- Label all containers and bags with the date to keep track of freshness.
- When ready to use, thaw the grilled chicken and tortillas in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat the chicken in a skillet or microwave until warmed through.
- Assemble the tacos with the fresh ingredients just before serving to ensure the best texture and flavor.
How To Reheat Leftovers
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Wrap the tortillas in aluminum foil and place them in the oven for about 10 minutes or until they are warm and pliable.
- While the tortillas are warming, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of olive oil and place the sliced chicken breast in the skillet. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is heated through.
- If you prefer using a microwave, place the chicken breast slices on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to keep the chicken moist. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
- For the vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro, it's best to keep them fresh and not reheat them. Simply assemble them fresh when you're ready to eat.
- If you have leftover avocado, slice it fresh just before serving to maintain its creamy texture and vibrant color.
- Once everything is heated, assemble your tacos with the warm tortillas, reheated chicken breast, and fresh vegetables. Serve with lime wedges for that zesty finish.
Essential Tools for This Recipe
Grill: Used to cook the chicken breast, giving it a smoky flavor and grill marks.
Tongs: Essential for flipping the chicken and handling the tortillas on the grill.
Basting brush: Used to brush olive oil onto the grill to prevent sticking.
Meat thermometer: Helps ensure the chicken is fully cooked by checking the internal temperature.
Cutting board: Provides a surface for slicing the grilled chicken and preparing other ingredients.
Chef's knife: Used for slicing the chicken, dicing tomatoes and onions, and chopping cilantro.
Mixing bowl: Useful for holding diced tomatoes, onions, and chopped cilantro before assembling the tacos.
Serving platter: A convenient way to present the assembled tacos.
Lime squeezer: Makes it easy to extract juice from lime wedges to drizzle over the tacos.
Spatula: Handy for lifting and moving tortillas on the grill.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prepare ingredients in advance: Chop lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro ahead of time and store them in separate containers.
Use pre-cooked chicken: Substitute grilled chicken with store-bought pre-cooked chicken strips to save grilling time.
Warm tortillas in bulk: Heat multiple tortillas at once in the oven instead of individually on the grill.
Make a toppings station: Set up a self-serve station with avocado, lime wedges, and other toppings so everyone can assemble their own tacos.
Grilled Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast
- 8 small tortillas
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 0.5 cup diced tomatoes
- 0.25 cup diced onions
- 0.25 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for grilling
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Season chicken breast with salt and pepper.
- Brush grill with olive oil.
- Grill chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side until fully cooked.
- Let chicken rest for a few minutes, then slice thinly.
- Warm tortillas on the grill for about 30 seconds on each side.
- Assemble tacos with chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and avocado.
- Serve with lime wedges.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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