Chipotle Chicken Tacos

Seasoned chicken is tucked into soft corn tortillas and topped with shredded Colby jack cheese, chopped cilantro, avocado, and a homemade chipotle sauce. An easy chipotle chicken taco recipe with mega flavor that's ready in under 30 minutes!

Taco night just took a step up with these homemade chipotle chicken tacos! Ready in just 25 minutes, these tacos are loaded with flavor.

This is a great recipe for a tasty weeknight dinner or for larger family gatherings, these simple chicken tacos are ones you’ll make on repeat.

★ Why You'll Love this Recipe ★

Starting with pre-packaged diced chicken saves time and makes this recipe very easy.

Chipotle seasonings add flavor to the chicken and can be left to marinate before cooking for added infusion.

Everyone can top their own taco — fresh cilantro, avocado, and cheese or choose your favorite taco toppings.

What really takes these tacos to the next level is the homemade chipotle sauce. It's very easy to whip up. If you don't have the time though, you can just use your favorite bottled chipotle sauce.

These tacos are also:

Flavorful: There is no part of these tacos that is bland. Coated with homemade seasoning and a rich, creamy, sauce these chicken tacos are packed with flavor.

Easy: Most of the work for the tacos is just frying up the chicken and chopping the toppings. It takes about 15 minutes of prep time, and the rest comes together quickly.

Make ahead: Both the chicken and the homemade sauce can be made in advance to save you precious kitchen time when you need it.

★ Ingredients You'll Need ★

Here's a look at everything you need to make the tacos and homemade chipotle sauce:

For the tacos:

• Chicken. I love using pre-cut diced boneless, skinless, chicken breasts. I typically use kitchen sheers to cut the bigger pieces in halve so that everything cooks evenly. You can use tenderloin or boneless chicken thighs if you prefer.
• Avocado oil. Or any neutral oil can be used to kick off the recipe.
• Seasoning. You need a few tablespoons of chipotle chili powder as well as garlic powder and salt. For a smoky twist, try using smoked chipotle chili powder.
• Tortillas. Corn tortillas are best as they hold together well. You can also use lettuce wraps to eliminate some starchy carbs. Or flour tortillas. Hard shell tacos are also totally acceptable! Choose what you love.
• Colby jack cheese. A classic cheese to pair with Mexican-style recipes. Any cheese can work and something like a fiesta blend brings extra flavor so, again, your choice here.
• Toppings. At minimum, chop up some fresh cilantro and avocados to pair with the chicken tacos. Raw or pickled red onions are also nice.

For the chipotle sauce:

• Mayonnaise. Any mayo will work here so use a paleo or specialty one if you need it.
• Sour cream. This helps to thicken the sauce and give it a rich taste. To lighten it up you can use Greek yogurt as a healthy swap.
• Chipotle peppers. You need both the peppers in the adobo sauce as well as a bit of the sauce itself.
• Garlic. Make sure to use a paste or if using minced garlic, press it into a paste so that the garlic blends better into the sauce.
• Lime juice. Fresh lime juice works best, and you can even add in some zest for extra flavor!

★ How to Make this Recipe ★

Here's a look a how these chipotle chicken tacos come together:

• Season chicken.
• Sauté chicken.
• Warm tortillas.
• Mix together sauce ingredients.
• Assemble tacos by layering chicken, cheese, cilantro, and avocado.
• Serve with chipotle sauce.

Easy! SO GOOD.

★ Tips & FAQs ★

How do I store chicken tacos?

You’ll want to store the taco ingredients separately so that everything stays fresh. This means that the chicken, tortillas, and toppings are all in separate containers. In the fridge, everything will last for up to 3 days. When you’re ready, reheat the chicken in the microwave and heat the tortillas before serving.

Can I freeze chicken tacos?

The cooked chicken can be frozen for later use by letting it cool fully and then storing it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you need it, let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Everything else should be made fresh.

Can I use chicken thighs in place of breasts?

Yes! Chicken thighs can be used in place of breasts but know that they will give off more juice while cooking so you may need to cook them a bit longer.

What can I use in place of chipotle peppers?

If you’re unable to find chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, use a combination of smoked paprika and cayenne pepper to add a layer of spice to the tacos.

What should I serve with Chipotle chicken tacos?

Side dishes like Mexican rice, refried beans, or garden salad make great side dishes to the meal. Likewise, adding salsa, extra cheese, sliced jalapenos, radishes, and red onions for toppings allows everyone to build their own taco.

How do I make the tacos ahead of time?

You can make both the chicken and the chipotle sauce 24-36 hours in advance of when you need them. Store both in separate containers in the fridge. When you’re ready, reheat the chicken before assembling the tacos.

How can I stretch the tacos further?

Either as toppings or mixed in with the chicken you can add sauteed bell peppers, onion, or sweet corn to make a larger batch of the tacos.

Can I use a store-bought Chipotle sauce?

Yes. If you don’t have the time or ingredients, you can use a store-bought sauce. However, homemade sauce typically has a fresher taste.

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