Chicken Tacos Recipe
Grilled or blackened chicken with taco slaw, tomato, cheese and mexican crema
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Ingredients
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Chicken
Taco Slaw
Assembly & Toppings
Method
Chicken
Prep the chicken
If breasts are thick, butterfly or pound to an even ~1/2" thickness so they cook evenly. Pat dry with paper towels.
Make the rub and marinate
In a bowl combine olive oil, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, black pepper and juice of 1 lime. Rub mixture all over the chicken, coating both sides. Marinate at room temperature for 15–20 minutes or refrigerate for up to 2 hours (if refrigerating, bring to room temp 20 minutes before cooking).
Cook the chicken (grill or blacken)
Grill method: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high. Oil grates. Grill chicken 4–6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Blacken/pan-sear method: Heat a large skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat until very hot. Add 1 tsp oil and place chicken; sear 4–6 minutes per side until well-browned and cooked through. Transfer to a cutting board and rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain into taco-sized strips.
Taco Slaw
Make the slaw dressing
In a medium bowl whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, lime juice (from 1 lime), salt and black pepper until smooth.
Assembly & Toppings
Warm the tortillas
Warm tortillas on the grill or in a dry skillet 20–30 seconds per side until pliable and slightly charred in spots. Keep wrapped in a clean towel to stay warm.
Prepare crema (optional spicy)
If you want spicy crema, stir hot sauce into Mexican crema or sour cream to taste (start with 1 tsp).
Assemble tacos
Place warmed tortilla on a plate. Add a small handful (about 2–3 tbs) of taco slaw, then 2–3 slices of grilled chicken, sprinkle with diced tomato and shredded cheese. Drizzle with Mexican crema and garnish with extra cilantro and a squeeze of lime. Repeat for remaining tortillas.
Serve
Serve immediately with extra lime wedges and hot sauce on the side.