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–+ servings
5 from 2 votes
Spicy Chicken Tacos -are a quick and easy weeknight meal! They take less than 30 minutes to make, have clean ingredients, and can please the whole family!
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Spicy Chicken Tacos
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 

Spicy Chicken Tacos are an easy chicken taco recipe filled with simple and clean ingredients. It takes less than 30 minutes to make and pleases the whole family! 

Course: Chicken, Main
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: chicken tacos
Servings: 4 -6
Calories: 151 kcal
Author: Malinda Linnebur
Ingredients
  • 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 large jalapeno, finely chopped
  • 4-6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika or chipotle chili powder
  • salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste
  • juice of ½-1 lime
  • flour or corn tortillas
Instructions

  1. In a large skillet brown chicken pieces, onion, pepper, garlic, and olive oil over medium heat until chicken is cooked through. 

  2. Add tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika or chipotle, salt, pepper, cayenne, and lime juice.  I sometimes will add 1/4 cup of water or chicken broth to make it a little saucy. Serve with desired toppings. 

Recipe Notes

For mild chicken tacos:

  • Remove the seeds and ribs from the jalapeno pepper. This makes it mild enough even my "can't stand anything hotter than ketchup" kids eat it. 
  • Use smoked paprika instead of chipotle chili powder.
  • Don't use cayenne powder.

For spicy chicken tacos:

  • Leave the seeds and ribs in the jalapeno pepper.
  • Use a serrano pepper instead of the jalapeno.
  • Use plenty of cayenne pepper.
  • And be sure to top the tacos with plenty of hot sauce. :)

Make-ahead options:

  • The meat can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Then just reheat before serving.
  • Or you can freeze this chicken taco meat in a freezer safe container for up to 2-4 months. Thaw overnight and reheat before serving.

What to serve with these tacos:

NUTRITION INFO: Nutrition info calculated for just the taco meat. It doesn't include toppings or tortillas. 

 

Nutrition Facts
Spicy Chicken Tacos
Amount Per Serving
Calories 151 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 36mg12%
Sodium 116mg5%
Potassium 330mg9%
Carbohydrates 5g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 13g26%
Vitamin A 412IU8%
Vitamin C 9mg11%
Calcium 23mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the information shown is just an estimate.