Garlic-Lime Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Slaw
Juicy chicken marinated in garlic and lime, served in soft tortillas topped with a crunchy cilantro slaw. This mexican-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs thinly sliced chicken breasts, minced garlic cloves, fresh lime juice 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
- 1 lb, thinly sliced chicken breasts
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups shredded green cabbage cabbage
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp divided salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 lb thinly sliced chicken breasts, 4 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Marinate for 20 minutes at room temperature.
- Step 2: While chicken marinates, toss 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tbsp mayonnaise, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion in a bowl to make the slaw.
- Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes until cooked through and slightly charred.
- Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side. Fill each tortilla with cooked chicken and top with the cilantro slaw before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Garlic-Lime Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Slaw take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (25 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Garlic-Lime Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Slaw?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep thinly sliced chicken breasts from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Garlic-Lime Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Slaw?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Garlic-Lime Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Slaw for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Garlic-Lime Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Slaw?
Mexican chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
