Chili Lime Grilled Chicken Tacos

$To make chili lime grilled chicken tacos, you need fresh, quality ingredients. Here’s what you will need: - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts - 2 tablespoons olive oil - Juice of 2 limes - Zest of 1 lime - 1 tablespoon chili powder - 1 teaspoon cumin - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - 1 teaspoon onion powder - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika - Salt and pepper to taste These main ingredients bring bold flavors to the chicken. The lime juice adds tang, while the chili powder brings heat. The marinade makes the chicken juicy and full of flavor. Use these components: - Olive oil - Lime juice - Lime zest - Chili powder - Cumin - Garlic powder - Onion powder - Smoked paprika - Salt and pepper Mix these well to coat the chicken. The olive oil helps keep the meat moist. The spices create a rich taste. Toppings make your tacos exciting. Here’s what I suggest: - 8 small corn or flour tortillas - 1 cup shredded cabbage (green or purple) - ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped - 1 avocado, sliced - Lime wedges for serving These toppings add crunch and freshness. The avocado gives creaminess, while lime wedges let you add more zing. Enjoy your tacos with these simple yet delicious toppings! {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, you need to make the marinade. In a bowl, mix olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. This mix creates a bright and spicy flavor for the chicken. Next, put the chicken breasts in a resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken. Make sure each piece is covered. Seal the bag or cover the dish. Place it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. If you have more time, marinate for up to 2 hours. This helps the chicken soak up all that great flavor. Now, it’s time to grill! Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Take the chicken out of the marinade and throw away the leftover marinade. Grill the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side. You want the internal temperature to reach 165°F. This ensures the chicken is safe to eat. Once the chicken is cooked, take it off the grill. Let it rest for 5 minutes. This resting time keeps the chicken juicy. After resting, slice it into strips. Now, warm the tortillas on the grill for about 30 seconds on each side. This makes them soft and easy to fold. To build your tacos, place a few strips of grilled chicken in each tortilla. Top it with shredded cabbage, fresh cilantro, and avocado slices. For a zesty touch, serve lime wedges on the side. Squeeze some lime juice over your tacos for extra flavor. Enjoy your delicious chili lime grilled chicken tacos! To grill chicken well, start with a clean grill. Clean grates help prevent sticking. Preheat your grill to medium-high. This temperature is best for juicy chicken. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness. Aim for 165°F (75°C) inside the chicken. Avoid flipping too often. Each side needs time to sear properly. Add more flavor with fresh herbs. You can use thyme or oregano for a twist. A sprinkle of lime zest over the tacos gives a fresh kick. Try adding a dash of hot sauce if you like heat. Before serving, drizzle some extra lime juice on top. This brightens the dish and adds zest. Marinating the chicken is key for flavor. I recommend at least 30 minutes. For the best taste, marinate for up to 2 hours. Do not marinate longer than 4 hours. The acid in lime juice can change the chicken's texture. Always keep marinated chicken in the fridge. This keeps it fresh and safe to eat. Pro Tips Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 2 hours, or even overnight, to enhance the flavor and tenderness. Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption. Warm Tortillas Properly: Warm the tortillas on the grill or in a skillet just until pliable to prevent them from tearing when filling. Customize Your Toppings: Feel free to add toppings like diced tomatoes, jalapeños, or your favorite salsa to personalize your tacos. {{image_2}} You can swap chicken for other proteins. Try shrimp for a lighter taste. Pork is also great with chili and lime. You can use tofu for a vegetarian option. Just ensure you adjust cooking times for each protein. Change up the taco style to suit your taste. Use hard shell tacos for a crunchy bite. Soft tortillas are perfect if you prefer a classic feel. You can even turn this dish into a burrito. Just wrap everything up in a larger tortilla. If you don’t have all the ingredients, don’t worry! You can replace olive oil with avocado oil. Lemon juice works in place of lime juice. If you lack chili powder, use a mix of paprika and cayenne. Choose any fresh herbs as a substitute for cilantro. Enjoy mixing and matching to find your favorite flavors! Store leftover chicken tacos in an airtight container. Keep them in the fridge for up to three days. If you have extra toppings, store those separately. This keeps everything fresh and tasty. To reheat chicken, use a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water to keep it moist. Heat for about five minutes, stirring often. You can also use the microwave. Cover the chicken and heat it for 30 seconds. Check if it's warm and heat more if needed. To freeze, wrap each taco tightly in plastic wrap. Place them in a freezer bag. They can last for up to three months. When you're ready to eat, thaw them overnight in the fridge. Reheat as mentioned before for the best taste. You should marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes. This time allows the flavors to soak in. For the best taste, marinate for up to 2 hours. Longer marinating makes the chicken juicier and more flavorful. I love using simple toppings for these tacos. Here are my favorites: - Shredded cabbage (green or purple) - Fresh cilantro, chopped - Slices of avocado - Lime wedges for extra zest These toppings add color and taste. They balance the spicy and tangy chicken well. Feel free to mix and match based on your taste. Yes, you can prepare some parts ahead. Grill the chicken and store it in the fridge. You can warm it later. You can also chop toppings in advance. Keep them in separate containers. Just warm the tortillas before serving for the best taste. Chili lime grilled chicken tacos are easy and fun to make. We covered the main ingredients, marinade components, and tasty toppings. I walked you through marinating, grilling, and assembling your tacos. You also learned tips for grilling, flavor boosts, and different versions to try. Finally, I shared how to store leftovers and answer some common questions. Enjoy your cooking, and don't hesitate to get creative!$

Chili Lime Grilled Chicken Tacos

Delicious grilled chicken tacos with a zesty chili lime marinade.

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Prep Time 30

Cook Time 30

Total Time 1

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 pieces limes (juice)
1 piece lime (zest)
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
to taste salt and pepper
8 small corn or flour tortillas
1 cup shredded cabbage (green or purple)
0.5 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 piece avocado, sliced
to serve lime wedges

Instructions

In a bowl, mix together olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to create a marinade.
Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish and pour the marinade over the chicken. Ensure the chicken is well coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours for maximum flavor.
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade. Grill the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing it into strips.
In the meantime, warm the tortillas on the grill for about 30 seconds on each side until pliable.
To assemble the tacos, place a few strips of grilled chicken into each tortilla. Top with shredded cabbage, fresh cilantro, and avocado slices.
Serve the tacos with lime wedges on the side for extra lime juice.

Notes

Marinate chicken for up to 2 hours for best flavor.

Keyword chili lime, grilled chicken, tacos