Grilled Street-Style Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy grilled chicken seasoned with smoky spices tucked into warm tortillas, topped with a fresh cilantro lime slaw for a vibrant street food experience. This mexican-inspired street food ready in about 40 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, olive oil, smoked paprika 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.

★ 4.0 (13 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix well to coat evenly and let marinate for 20 minutes.
  2. Step 2: While the chicken marinates, prepare slaw by tossing 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tbsp lime juice, 3 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tsp honey, and 1 small minced seeded jalapeño in a bowl. Chill until ready to serve.
  3. Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and edges develop slight char marks. Remove and let rest for 5 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds per side until pliable and slightly toasted.
  5. Step 5: Slice the rested chicken into thin strips and assemble tacos by layering chicken and generous spoonfuls of cilantro lime slaw onto each tortilla. Serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Street-Style Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (25 min prep + 15 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 Grilled Street-Style Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Lime 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Street-Style Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Lime 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 Grilled Street-Style Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Lime 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 Grilled Street-Style Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw?

Mexican street food 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.

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