Honey-Lime Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Slaw
Sweet and tangy honey-lime marinated chicken grilled and served in warm tortillas with a fresh cilantro slaw for a vibrant taco experience. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 52 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, honey, fresh lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 370 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp honey
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups, thinly sliced green cabbage
- 1/2 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup, thinly sliced red onion
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 8 small flour tortillas
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp honey, 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the marinade.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs to the marinade, tossing to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours.
- Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken thighs for 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through and charred in spots. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, combine 2 cups thinly sliced green cabbage, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, and 3 tbsp mayonnaise. Toss to make the cilantro slaw.
- Step 5: Warm 8 small flour tortillas on the grill or in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side. Assemble tacos by dividing sliced chicken among tortillas and topping with cilantro slaw. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Lime Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Slaw take to make?
Total time is about 52 minutes (40 min prep + 12 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 Honey-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 honey from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-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 Honey-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 Honey-Lime Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Slaw?
Mexican tacos & burritos 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Weeknight hero! Cooked in 25 minutes and my picky kids actually asked for seconds.
- ★★★★★
Made these for date night and they were a total showstopper—the slaw made the whole dish pop!
- ★★★★★
My family devoured these! The honey-lime glaze was perfectly balanced and the cilantro slaw cut through the richness beautifully.