Name: The Best Chicken Tacos Ever
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon cumin; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon chili powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; Juice of 2 limes; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/3 cup finely chopped red or sweet onion; 1/3 cup finely chopped cilantro; 1 finely chopped jalapeño; Juice of 1 lime; Salt and pepper (to taste); 1 lime (cut into 8 pieces); 16 small corn tortillas for serving

Introducing theBest Chicken Tacosrecipeever—they taste like they just came off a food truck!Chicken thighs, plus a simple onion and cilantro topping, make thisour all-time favorite easy chicken taco recipe.

chicken tacos in two tortillas in bowl with cilantro and lime wedges.

These are the BEST tacos and are one of my family’s favorite recipes. Made with somedelicious,full-of-flavor chicken meatand a simple onion and cilantro toppingon corn tortillas and topped with a squeeze of lime before eating—and that’sa wrap for Taco Tuesday!

Keeping them simple makes them taste like they arestraight off a food truck(you might also call them street tacos). They aren’t fussy, butthey are so flavorful. You could add a bit of avocado or a sprinkle of cotija cheese, but they aren’t really needed. Keep it simple, friends! Round out the meal with someblack beansandcilantro lime riceand you’ll be one happy camper.

lime wedges, cilantro, red onion, chicken and tortillas on white tray.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Full of Flavor:This flavorful chicken is marinated in a delicious blend of spices and lime juice.
Low Cost:It’s budget-friendly; using chicken thighs as the main protein makes this recipe affordable without compromising on taste.
Great Leftovers:Leftover chicken can be used in salads, quesadillas, or burrito bowls. Just store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Please Everyone:Use your family’s favorite toppings to create a taco bar!

Recipe Ingredients

Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs– use boneless skinless chicken breasts if that’s what you have on hand
Seasonings –garlic, onion, chili powder, cumin, paprika and cilantro
Limes– don’t skip the fresh lime juice!
Olive Oil
Red or Sweet Onion– green onions would also be good!
Jalapeño
Small Corn Tortillas– use flour tortillas if preferred

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

woman holding chicken taco made with two tortillas.

How to Make the Best Chicken Tacos

Combine spices, lime juice, and oil. Add the chicken and marinate.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the chicken.
While the chicken cooks, combine all the topping ingredients.
Chop the chicken, place it in warm tortillas, and add toppings. Squeeze lime juice over it just before eating.

Recipe FAQs

What is a good side dish for tacos?

There are so many options for taco side dishes. I like to serve a Mexican rice or cilantro lime rice, fresh pico de gallo, or refried beans. They are quick, easy, and delish!

How do I make perfect tacos?

Now, this is a great question. I firmly believe in the power of warming the tortillas in the skillet so they get a little toasty and maybe even a little crisp around the edges. It’s a MUST; you must try it out if you’ve never heated yours up. I also like to double-layer my tortillas so they keep all the toppings in better without tortilla breakage. Finally, a sprinkle of lime is absolutely necessary to bring everything together and really add a kick of freshness.

What do I put inside tacos?

You can literally put whatever you want inside tacos—that’s the beauty of these little customizable wraps! For this recipe, I kept things simple and added some chopped onion, cilantro, and jalapeno with a little lime juice, salt, and pepper. It was divine! You can also add cheese, sour cream, and other veggies.

How much chicken do I need for tacos?

This recipe makes 4 servings, and I get one pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Feel free to adjust the amount of chicken you purchase depending on how many people you’re serving (and if you have too much, it does make great leftovers!).

chicken tacos ingredients on white tray.

Expert Tips

Two tortillas aren’t a must, but they help to keep everything in.When you just use one tortilla, it seemsto break and fall apart.
If you don’t want the topping to be too spicy, you can remove the seeds from the jalapeno or omit it altogether.
The lime for serving isn’t optional;it really makes the dish!
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs stay moist better than chicken breasts, and they’re less expensive, which is always a win.

two chicken tacos, some lime wedges, and cilantro on a plate.

What to Serve With the Best Chicken Tacos Ever

Because these chicken tacos are so simple and easy to make, feel free to add a side ofchips ,salsa,andguacamole,plus some fun drinks. I recommend some freshhomemade lemonadefor this recipe!

You’ll feel like you’reeating out while sitting in your own kitchen.