Spicy Mexican Grilled Chicken Tacos
Flavorful grilled chicken wrapped in warm corn tortillas, topped with tangy salsa and creamy avocado. This mexican-inspired mexican ready in about 45 minutes pairs warmed corn tortillas, chunky salsa, diced avocado for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 2 lbs, sliced into 1/4-inch strips chicken breast
- 12, warmed corn tortillas
- 1 cup, chunky salsa
- 2, diced avocado
- 1, juiced lime
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, mix 2 tbsp olive oil with 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp oregano, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, and 1 tsp salt. Add 2 lbs chicken breast slices and marinate for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Preheat a grill to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and charred at the edges.
- Step 3: Warm 12 corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat, flipping once, until pliable.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, combine 1 cup salsa, 1/4 cup diced avocado, and 1 tbsp lime juice. Stir until evenly mixed.
- Step 5: Assemble tacos by placing grilled chicken in each tortilla, then topping with 1/4 cup salsa-avocado mixture and a sprinkle of additional oregano.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Mexican Grilled Chicken Tacos take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (25 min prep + 20 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 Spicy Mexican Grilled Chicken Tacos?
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 warmed corn tortillas from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Mexican Grilled Chicken Tacos?
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 Spicy Mexican Grilled Chicken Tacos for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Spicy Mexican Grilled Chicken Tacos?
Mexican mexican 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
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
