Tantalizing Chicken Street Tacos

$- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil - Spices: - 1 teaspoon ground cumin - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - ½ teaspoon chili powder - ¼ teaspoon garlic powder - Additional items: salt, pepper, corn tortillas - Fresh toppings: - 1 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped - 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced - 1 ripe avocado, thinly sliced - ½ cup red onion, finely diced - Serving suggestion: lime wedges For Chicken Street Tacos, you need fresh and simple ingredients. Start with cooked chicken. You can use rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken. Shred it into bite-sized pieces. Next, get some extra virgin olive oil. This adds flavor and helps the spices stick. You need spices to make the chicken pop. Use ground cumin for warmth. Smoked paprika gives a nice smoky flavor. Add chili powder for a little kick and garlic powder for depth. Make sure to have salt and pepper handy for seasoning. For the tortillas, small corn tortillas work best. They hold the chicken and toppings well. Fresh toppings make these tacos special. Cilantro adds a bright touch. Pineapple gives a sweet burst. Avocado adds creaminess. Red onion adds crunch. Finally, keep lime wedges ready. A squeeze of lime brightens up every bite. With these ingredients, you can make tasty Chicken Street Tacos that impress everyone. {{ingredient_image_2}} First, grab a medium mixing bowl. Add 2 cups of shredded chicken. Pour in 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Then, add 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon of chili powder, and ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder. Sprinkle in a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix everything well. Ensure each piece of chicken gets coated with the spices. This step adds a lot of flavor. Next, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the spiced chicken mix. Sauté for about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir occasionally. The chicken should heat through and smell great. This timing helps the spices blend into the chicken perfectly. While the chicken cooks, take another skillet. Use low heat to warm 8 small corn tortillas. Heat them for about 1 minute on each side. The goal is to make them soft and pliable. This step is crucial for easy folding. Once warm, keep the tortillas covered with a kitchen towel to hold the heat. Now it's time to build your tacos. Lay a generous amount of the spiced chicken mixture in the center of each warm tortilla. Next, add toppings. Start with fresh cilantro, then add a spoonful of diced pineapple. Place creamy avocado slices on top, followed by a handful of diced red onion. For a beautiful presentation, serve the tacos on a colorful platter. Tuck lime wedges around them. You can also add a small bowl of extra diced pineapple and chopped cilantro for a fresh touch. Enjoy your delicious Chicken Street Tacos! - Using fresh spices vs. dried: Fresh spices give more flavor than dried ones. When you use fresh spices, you get a brighter taste. I love to use ground cumin and smoked paprika fresh. They really pop in your chicken mix. - Balancing flavors with toppings: Toppings make your tacos shine. Fresh pineapple adds sweetness. Cilantro gives a fresh kick. Avocado adds creaminess. Red onion gives a nice crunch. Each topping balances the spices well. You can mix and match to find your favorite combo. - Ideal pairings with drinks or sides: Serve your tacos with a cold drink. A lime-infused soda or light beer works great. For sides, try chips and salsa or a fresh salad. These pair well with the flavors. - Presentation tips for gatherings: Make your tacos look nice on a platter. Use colorful plates for a fun vibe. Add lime wedges and extra toppings around the tacos. This makes it easy for guests to serve themselves. - Overcooking tortillas: Don’t cook your tortillas too long. If you do, they can get hard. Warm them just until soft. One minute on each side is perfect. Keep them warm under a towel after. - Skipping fresh ingredients: Fresh ingredients make a big difference. Use fresh cilantro, ripe avocado, and juicy pineapple. These ingredients add flavor and texture. Skipping them can make your tacos taste flat. Pro Tips Use Leftovers Wisely: These tacos are perfect for using up leftover rotisserie chicken or any cooked chicken you have on hand, making it a quick and easy meal option. Customize Your Heat: Adjust the chili powder to your preference. For a spicier kick, consider adding fresh jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce. Fresh Ingredients Matter: Always opt for fresh cilantro and ripe avocados to enhance the flavors of your tacos. Fresh ingredients make a noticeable difference! Make It a Meal: Pair your tacos with a side of black beans or a light salad for a complete and satisfying meal. {{image_4}} You can swap chicken for beef or shrimp. Both options work well with the spices. For beef, use ground beef or flank steak. Cook it until it’s just right. For shrimp, sauté it until pink and tender. If you want a vegetarian option, try jackfruit or mushrooms. Jackfruit has a meaty texture and soaks up flavors well. Shred it like chicken and spice it up. Mushrooms also add great flavor. Use portobello or cremini for a hearty bite. Toppings can really change your tacos. Try adding mango salsa for a sweet twist. Dice fresh mango, red onion, and cilantro for a colorful mix. You can also add sliced jalapeños for some heat. Different salsas enhance the taste, too. A fresh pico de gallo adds crunch. Or, use a smoky chipotle salsa for depth. Experiment with flavors to find your favorite mix. You can add local flavors to your tacos. For a southern twist, use barbecue sauce with the chicken. In the Pacific Northwest, add fresh salmon with dill sauce. Adapting the recipe for different cuisines is fun. Try a Thai twist with peanut sauce or fresh cilantro. Mix in spices from other cultures to make it your own. To keep your Chicken Street Tacos fresh, follow these tips: - Place leftovers in an airtight container. - Store the chicken and tortillas separately. - Keep them in the fridge for up to three days. This method helps maintain the flavors and textures. If you mix them, the tortillas can get soggy. When you’re ready to enjoy your tacos again, here’s how to reheat them: - Heat the chicken in a skillet over medium heat. Stir often until warm. - Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet for about 30 seconds on each side. Avoid using the microwave if you can. Microwaves can make tortillas tough or chewy. If you want to save some tacos for later, freezing works well: - You can freeze the cooked chicken mixture in a sealed bag. - Use parchment paper between tortillas to prevent sticking. For thawing, place them in the fridge overnight. Reheat the chicken and tortillas as mentioned above. This keeps your meal tasty and fresh! You can use many types of chicken for street tacos. Shredded chicken works great. I often use grilled chicken for its smoky flavor. Rotisserie chicken is also a good choice. It’s quick and easy. Just shred it, and you’re set. You can use leftover chicken too. This is a smart way to save time. To spice up your tacos, add hot sauce. You can also use diced jalapeños. If you want more heat, try adding spicy salsa. Fresh chopped chili peppers are another option. Remember, balance is key. Too much heat can overpower the dish. Start with a little, then add more if needed. Yes, you can use flour tortillas. They are softer and larger than corn tortillas. However, this changes the taste. Corn tortillas add a nutty flavor. They also have a nice texture that holds the filling well. In contrast, flour tortillas can be chewy. Choose based on your preferences. This blog post covered key steps to make delicious chicken street tacos. You learned about the right ingredients, how to prepare the chicken and tortillas, and how to assemble your tacos. Don’t forget the tips for authentic flavors and common mistakes to avoid. Now you can easily experiment with variations and store leftovers for later. Remember, fresh ingredients and bold spices make all the difference. Enjoy creating and sharing these tasty tacos with your friends and family!$

Tantalizing Chicken Street Tacos

Delicious and flavorful chicken tacos served with fresh toppings.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Total Time 25

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
0.5 teaspoon chili powder
0.25 teaspoon garlic powder
to taste salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 small corn tortillas
1 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
1 ripe avocado, thinly sliced
0.5 cup red onion, finely diced
for serving lime wedges

Instructions

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken with the extra virgin olive oil, ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until each piece of chicken is well coated with the spice mixture.
In a skillet over medium heat, add the seasoned chicken mix. Sauté for approximately 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is heated through and fragrant, allowing the spices to fully incorporate.
Meanwhile, warm the corn tortillas in a separate skillet over low heat for about 1 minute on each side, or until they become soft and pliable. Keep them warm by covering with a kitchen towel.
To assemble the tacos, lay a generous amount of the spiced chicken mixture in the center of each warm tortilla.
Garnish each taco with a sprinkling of fresh cilantro, followed by a spoonful of diced pineapple, slices of creamy avocado, and a handful of diced red onion.
Serve the tacos immediately, accompanied by lime wedges for a zesty squeeze over the top just before eating.

Notes

For an appealing presentation, serve the tacos on a colorful platter with lime wedges tucked around them and a small bowl of extra diced pineapple and chopped cilantro for a fresh garnish.

Keyword chicken, easy recipe, street food, tacos