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A close-up shot of three chicken street tacos loaded with juicy marinated chicken, fresh cilantro, diced onions, and a sprinkle of cotija cheese, ready to be eaten.

Chicken Street Tacos (The Easiest Authentic Recipe!)

Whip up the best Chicken Street Tacos with this easy, authentic recipe! A flavorful citrus-spice marinade makes the chicken incredibly juicy and tender. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that brings the taco truck experience home.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 385
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into small, bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice from about 2 limes
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 12 small corn tortillas
  • 1/2 cup white onion finely diced
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • 1/2 cup cotija cheese crumbled
  • 1 lime cut into wedges for serving

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 1 Mixing Bowl

Method
 

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
  2. Cut the chicken thighs into small, bite-sized pieces and add them to the marinade. Toss until the chicken is thoroughly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
  3. Heat a large skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken in a single layer. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
  4. While the chicken cooks, warm the corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30-60 seconds per side until soft and pliable.
  5. Spoon the cooked chicken onto each warm tortilla. Top with diced white onion, fresh cilantro, and crumbled cotija cheese. Serve immediately with lime wedges.

Notes

Tip 1: For extra flavor, don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the chicken. Cook in two batches if necessary to ensure it gets a nice brown crust.
Tip 2: Use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best taste. The bottled kind just doesn't compare!
Tip 3: Store leftover chicken separately from toppings to keep everything fresh.