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Spicy Chicken Tacos | Mexican Night

Spicy Chicken Tacos

Smoky, spicy chicken thighs with a hint of lime, piled into warm tortillas with your favorite fresh toppings. A perfectly customizable and flavorful weeknight meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 575

Ingredients
  

For the Spicy Chicken
  • 600 g boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 2cm pieces
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium red onion finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp chipotle paste in adobo sauce
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • Juice of 1 large lime
For Serving
  • 8-10 small soft flour or corn tortillas
  • 1 head of Little Gem lettuce shredded
  • 2 ripe tomatoes diced
  • 1 large avocado sliced or mashed
  • 150 g mature cheddar cheese grated
  • 150 ml soured cream or crème fraîche
  • Fresh coriander chopped (optional)
  • Pickled red onions or sliced jalapeños optional

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Spice Mix: In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, ground cumin, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix well and set aside.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the diced red onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, until it begins to soften and turn translucent.
  3. Bloom the Spices: Add the minced garlic and the pre-mixed dry spices to the pan. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant. This step, known as blooming, is crucial for unlocking the full potential of the spices.
  4. Cook the Chicken: Add the diced chicken pieces to the pan in a single layer. Try not to overcrowd the pan; cook in two batches if necessary. Let the chicken sear without moving it for 2-3 minutes to develop a nice brown crust.
  5. Stir in the Paste: Once the chicken has some colour, stir in the chipotle paste. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for another 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink inside. I find that using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan adds even more flavour.
  6. Finish with Lime: Remove the pan from the heat and squeeze the fresh lime juice all over the chicken. Stir everything together one last time. The residual heat will be enough to incorporate the juice without cooking off its fresh, zesty flavour.
  7. Warm the Tortillas: While the chicken rests for a minute, warm your tortillas. You can do this by heating them one by one in a dry frying pan for 30 seconds per side, or by wrapping a stack of them in foil and placing them in a warm oven (150°C/130°C fan) for 10 minutes.
  8. Assemble and Serve: It's time to build your tacos! Spoon a generous amount of the spicy chicken into a warm tortilla, then pile on your favourite toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomato, avocado, grated cheese, and a dollop of soured cream.

Notes

The cooked chicken stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a pan before serving for quick leftovers.