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Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Hen Tacos – A Couple Cooks


This straightforward rooster tacos recipe is filled with taste and prepared in half-hour! It’s a enjoyable dinner concept starring juicy rooster and contemporary toppings: a easy recipe everybody will love.

Chicken tacos

Want a straightforward flavor-packed dinner that’s prepared in half-hour? We’ve discovered it’s deceptively difficult to seek out dinnertime hits, however this one appears to please everybody each time we serve it! The juicy rooster strips are seasoned to perfection, nestled right into a tortilla with guacamole, cheese crumbles and topped with a zingy lime crema.

Why we love this recipe: We might (and do!) eat this again and again. The rooster works on the stovetop or grilled, and it comes collectively merely. We simply made it for a cocktail party with ranch water and black bean and corn salad, and everybody raved. You can even make it as a taco bowl for gluten-free eaters. It’s completely versatile!

“Made the rooster tacos for dinner tonight. These are so so good! Nice taste they usually come collectively so rapidly. I admire how easy but tasty the lime crema is. The children had the rooster inside quesadillas and liked them. These are undoubtedly going into the month-to-month rotation!” -Tanvee

Key elements for rooster tacos

Tacos are the place it’s at for weeknight dinners over right here (particularly with youngsters!), and we love how this model might be both pan fried or grilled so you can also make it in any season. Listed below are the important thing elements you’ll want:

  • Boneless skinless rooster breasts: Attempt to discover natural rooster if in any respect doable, for the very best taste and most sustainable possibility. You should purchase both rooster breasts and butterfly your personal, or cutlets.
  • Seasonings: Our selfmade seasoning mix consists of smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, black pepper, celery seed and cayenne. You’ll be able to substitute candy paprika for the smoked, nevertheless it’s nicely definitely worth the buy for the smoky taste it infuses (you may additionally discover it labeled pimentón).
  • Lime crema: Combine up your personal lime crema utilizing bitter cream, lime juice and zest, garlic and salt.
  • Taco toppings: We like utilizing guacamole for a base for the rooster strips, then topping with contemporary cilantro, queso fresco or feta cheese, and minced pink onion. When you’ve got time to make them, pickled pink onions take the flavour excessive.
  • Tortillas: We like flour tortillas, however corn works too. You can even use any sort of grain free tortilla.

Professional tip

We like utilizing mini tortillas (4.5 inch) if we will discover them! They’re typically simpler to eat and bonus: you possibly can eat extra tacos.

Tips on how to make rooster tacos: step-by-step

These rooster tacos come collectively merely: you’ll season the rooster, pan sear it on the stovetop, then slice it into strips for the tacos. Right here’s the essential define of steps:

Step 1: Butterfly and season the chicken.

Step 1: Butterfly the rooster (if not in cutlets) by slicing in half horizontally, then opening it up and slicing alongside the fold to separate the 2 halves. Pat it dry and season with salt. In a small bowl, combine the seasonings, then sprinkle on each side of the rooster.

Step 2: Pan sear the chicken breast

Step 2: Add olive oil to a big skillet and warmth over medium warmth. Add the rooster and cook dinner till browned on each side, 4 to five minutes per aspect. When the interior temperature is 165°F, take away to a plate and relaxation for 3 minutes. Then slice into strips.

Step 3: Make the lime crema and toppings.

Step 3: Make the lime crema by stirring collectively the bitter cream, lime juice and zest, garlic and salt in a small bowl.

Step 4: Heat the tortillas. To make the tacos, unfold guacamole onto a heat tortilla, then prime with rooster strips, pink onion, cilantro, cheese, and lime crema.

Chicken tacos recipe

Alternate methodology: grilled rooster tacos

This rooster tacos recipe works grilled, too! We’ve made it each methods and it comes out improbable.

For grilled rooster tacos, preheat a grill to excessive warmth (450 to 550°F). Grill the rooster till grill marks seem and it releases from the grates, 2 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook dinner one other 2 to 4 minutes till the interior temperature is 165°F. Take away to a platter and canopy with foil. Permit to relaxation for five minutes for optimum juiciness, then slice.

Hen tacos toppings

The most effective a part of any tacos recipe is the toppings, after all! For these rooster tacos, we like to ensure there’s a good combine of sentimental and creamy textures to offset the feel of the rooster. We just like the rooster strips on a mattress of guacamole, however you possibly can combine and match toppings right here. Listed below are just a few extra rooster tacos toppings we love:

Sides to serve alongside

Hen tacos are a enjoyable straightforward dinner concept to serve any time of 12 months! We like them particularly in the summertime as a patio social gathering meal, however they work in any season. (After all, they’re at all times nice with a margarita, too!) Listed below are just a few sides we wish to serve alongside:

Storing leftovers

Leftovers of this meal carry on giving! Leftover cooked rooster lasts as much as 3 days refrigerated. Leftover lime crema shops as much as 2 weeks refrigerated.

A number of extra rooster recipes

We hope you’re keen on these rooster tacos as a lot as our household! Our children particularly gobble this one up. Tell us within the feedback what you suppose. Listed below are just a few extra rooster dinners you may get pleasure from:

Dietary notes

This rooster tacos recipe is gluten-free with corn tortillas (or serve it in a bowl for a rooster taco bowl), and dairy-free with cilantro sauce, omitting the cheese.

Regularly requested questions

What are another methods to season the rooster?

Listed below are some concepts:
Taco seasoning: A fast and simple possibility with a mix of chili powder, cumin, paprika, and different spices.
Fajita seasoning: Much like taco seasoning, however typically with a smokier taste profile.
Adobo sauce: For a Latin twist, marinate the rooster in adobo sauce for daring and flavorful tacos.
DIY spice rub: Get artistic with your personal mix of spices like chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, or cayenne pepper.

What toppings go nicely with sliced rooster breast tacos?

All of the basic taco toppings work nice! Listed below are some concepts:
Shredded cheese: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican cheese mix.
Salsa: Select your favourite, from delicate to spicy.
Lettuce and pico de gallo: Add freshness and crunch.
Bitter cream and guacamole: Creamy toppings for further richness.
Cilantro and lime wedges: A squeeze of contemporary lime and a sprinkle of cilantro brighten up the flavors.

Can I make rooster tacos low-carb?

Completely! You need to use lettuce wraps as a substitute of tortillas, or attempt cauliflower rice tortillas for a lower-carb possibility.

What are some good aspect dishes for rooster tacos?

Listed below are some concepts:
Cilantro lime rice: A refreshing and basic pairing.
Mexican corn: Candy corn with a kick of spice.
Refried beans: A hearty and filling aspect dish.
Guacamole and chips: A crowd-pleasing appetizer or aspect.
Chopped salad: A light-weight and wholesome possibility.

Do you might have any ideas for leftover rooster taco meat?

You need to use leftover rooster taco meat in some ways! Listed below are just a few concepts:

Taco salad: Toss the rooster with lettuce, tomatoes, beans, cheese, and your favourite dressing.
Burrito bowls: Serve the rooster over rice or quinoa along with your favourite toppings.
Quesadillas: Fill tortillas with cheese and leftover rooster, then cook dinner on a griddle till golden brown.
Nachos: Prime nachos with leftover rooster, cheese, beans, and your favourite toppings.

Print

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Description

These straightforward rooster tacos are filled with taste and prepared in half-hour! It’s a enjoyable dinner concept starring juicy rooster and contemporary toppings: a easy recipe everybody will love.


For the rooster

  • 2 boneless skinless rooster breasts or 4 cutlets (1 to 1 ½ kilos, natural if doable)*
  • 1 to 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika or candy paprika
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ⅛ teaspoon celery seed
  • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the lime crema (or cilantro sauce or chipotle sauce for dairy-free)

  • 1 cup bitter cream or Mexican crema (or ¾ cup Greek yogurt plus ¼ cup mayonnaise)
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice, plus the zest of ½ lime
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

For the tacos

  • Guacamole
  • Pink onion, minced (or pickled pink onions)
  • Cilantro, finely chopped 
  • Shredded lettuce or slaw (non-obligatory)
  • Cotija, queso fresco, or feta cheese, crumbled (non-obligatory)
  • 8 small flour or corn tortillas


  1. Pat the rooster dry with a paper towel. Season the rooster with the salt (in case you’re utilizing 1 ½ kilos, use 1 ¼ teaspoons salt). In a small bowl, combine the seasonings collectively. Sprinkle each side of the rooster with the seasoning combine. (If desired, you are able to do this as much as 12 hours prematurely and permit the rooster to sit down marinate earlier than cooking.)
  2. Stovetop directions:** Add the olive oil to a big skillet and warmth over medium warmth. Add the rooster and cook dinner till browned (and seasoning is beginning to blacken), on each side, about 4 to five minutes per aspect. When the interior temperature is 165°F or the middle is now not pink, take away to a plate and relaxation for 3 minutes. Then slice the rooster into strips.
  3. Make the lime crema by stirring all elements collectively in a small bowl. Refrigerate for as much as 2 weeks.
  4. If desired, char the tortillas by inserting them on an open fuel flame on medium for just a few seconds per aspect, flipping with tongs, till they’re barely blackened and heat. Or heat them in a skillet or within the oven (see Tips on how to Heat Tortillas).
  5. To make the tacos, unfold guacamole onto a heat tortilla, then prime with rooster strips, pink onion, cilantro, cheese, and lime crema. Leftover rooster shops as much as 3 days refrigerated.

Notes

*For those who purchase the rooster as breasts that aren’t already butterflied or cutlets, butterfly the rooster: Place your hand excessive of every rooster breast. Use a pointy knife to fastidiously slice the breast horizontally, leaving the sting intact so it could actually open up like a ebook (or butterfly!). Unfold the breast like a ebook, then lower alongside the fold to separate the 2 halves.

**For grilled rooster tacos, preheat a grill to excessive warmth (450 to 550°F). Grill the rooster breasts till grill marks seem and it releases from the grates, 2 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook dinner till now not pink within the middle and the interior temperature is 165°F, 2 to 4 minutes. Take away to a platter and canopy with foil. Permit to relaxation for five minutes for optimum juiciness, then slice.

  • Class: Major dish
  • Methodology: Stovetop
  • Delicacies: Hen
  • Weight loss plan: Gluten Free

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