Grilled Whiskey-Marinated Taco Chicken
Marinated in a smoky whiskey and spice blend, then grilled to perfection and served with fresh salsa. This Mexican-inspired taco and burrito recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, whiskey, 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
- 4 pieces, about 6 oz each chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup whiskey
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8 corn tortillas
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
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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: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup whiskey, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until fully combined.
- Step 2: Place 4 chicken breasts into a resealable plastic bag and pour the whiskey marinade over them. Seal and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 6 hours to absorb flavors.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove chicken from marinade and discard marinade. Grill chicken breasts for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, warm 8 corn tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds per side until pliable and slightly charred.
- Step 5: Slice grilled chicken into strips and assemble tacos by dividing chicken among tortillas, topping with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup diced red onion, and 1 cup diced tomatoes. Serve immediately.









