McAllen Street Market Grilled Chicken Tacos with Avocado Salsa

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

Juicy grilled chicken tacos topped with a zesty avocado salsa, inspired by vibrant pop-up markets and street fairs. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 25 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, olive oil, chili powder 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.

★ 4.4 (14 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 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 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 1 lb thinly sliced boneless skinless chicken breasts and toss to coat evenly. Marinate for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat until hot. Grill the chicken slices for 3-4 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked through. Remove and let rest.
  3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix 1 large diced ripe avocado, 1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 1 minced small jalapeño to make the avocado salsa.
  4. Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on the grill pan for 30 seconds each side until pliable. Fill each tortilla with grilled chicken slices and top generously with the avocado salsa. Serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does McAllen Street Market Grilled Chicken Tacos with Avocado Salsa take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 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 McAllen Street Market Grilled Chicken Tacos with Avocado Salsa?

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 McAllen Street Market Grilled Chicken Tacos with Avocado Salsa?

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 McAllen Street Market Grilled Chicken Tacos with Avocado Salsa 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 McAllen Street Market Grilled Chicken Tacos with Avocado Salsa?

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.

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