Blackened Chicken Tacos with Spicy Pumpkin Salsa
Tender blackened chicken breast nestled in warm corn tortillas, topped with a fiery pumpkin salsa that adds a seasonal twist to classic tacos. This Mexican-inspired Halloween recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, blackening seasoning, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2, boneless and skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp blackening seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup, peeled and diced small pumpkin
- 1, seeded and minced jalapeño pepper
- 1/4 cup, finely diced red onion
- 2 tbsp, chopped cilantro
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts with 2 tbsp blackening seasoning, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to coat evenly.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the seasoned chicken breasts for 5-6 minutes per side until blackened and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove from heat and let rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine 1 cup peeled and diced pumpkin, 1 minced jalapeño, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, 2 tbsp chopped cilantro, and 2 tbsp fresh lime juice. Season with a pinch of salt and stir well to make the spicy pumpkin salsa.
- Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds each side until pliable.
- Step 5: Assemble the tacos by layering sliced blackened chicken on each tortilla and topping with 2 tbsp of the spicy pumpkin salsa.
- Step 6: Serve immediately with extra lime wedges for squeezing.








