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Quick and easy grilled chicken tacos with juicy, seasoned chicken, fresh salsa, and warm tortillas. Perfect for summer grilling or a quick weeknight meal.
Try my grilled Mexican street corn and guacamole next!
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Dive into this delightful chicken taco recipe featuring savory grilled chicken paired with fresh salsa. Bursting with color, flavor, and texture, these tacos are sure to wow the crowd at your next gathering. Get ready to impress your people with every bite!
Why you'll love this grilled chicken taco recipe
- This recipe is perfect for grilling beginners, with step-by-step instructions to help you avoid common mistakes and grill the best chicken for tacos.
- These colorful, festive tacos are versatile enough for family dinners and festive gatherings.
- Every bite is a flavor explosion, combining savory grilled chicken with your choice of fresh peach salsa, juicy mango salsa, or vibrant pico de Gallo.
- Grilling adds a smoky flavor you can’t get from pan-searing or baking, making these tacos stand out.
Ingredients you'll need
- Chicken – I’m using boneless, skinless chicken breasts because they’re lean and cook quickly on the grill. You can swap them for boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer a juicier, more forgiving cut. Just follow the same grilling instructions.
- Olive Oil – A light coating of oil helps keep the chicken juicy, prevents it from sticking to the grill, and adds a hint of richness to every bite.
- Cumin, Salt, and Pepper – This simple southwest seasoning adds earthy, smoky flavor to the chicken, letting the fresh salsa and toppings shine.
- Corn Tortillas – Use white or yellow corn tortillas for their authentic flavor and texture. I prefer the smaller street taco size because they’re easy to handle and perfect for parties.
- Salsa – I always recommend homemade fresh salsa for the best flavor, but store-bought works in a pinch. Try mango salsa, peach salsa, or classic pico de gallo for a pop of color and flavor.
- Corn – Adds a touch of sweetness and a satisfying crunch that pairs perfectly with the smoky grilled chicken. Use fresh, frozen, or canned, depending on what you have on hand.
- Cotija Cheese – A salty, crumbly Mexican cheese that adds a savory kick and a touch of creaminess to each bite.
- Fresh Cilantro and Lime – These classic toppings add bright, fresh flavors and a pop of color to your tacos. Squeeze the lime wedges over the assembled tacos just before serving for a zesty finish.
How to make grilled chicken tacos
Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken dry and pound any thick portions for even cooking. Toss with OLIVE OIL, CUMIN, SALT, and PEPPER. Let it rest at room temperature for 15-30 minutes.
Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to 400°F and brush the grates with oil to prevent sticking.
Grill the chicken: Place the chicken in the center of the grill. Close the lid and grill for 3-5 minutes until it releases easily. Flip, move to indirect heat, and grill until it reaches 160°F. Transfer to a plate, cover, and let rest for 5 minutes to reach 165°F.
Grill the tortillas: Lightly oil both sides of the tortillas and grill until warmed, about 1-2 minutes per side.
Assemble the tacos: Slice or shred the chicken, then fill the warm tortillas. Top with salsa, Cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
Recipe Tips
- Make sure chicken is even thickness: Pound thicker chicken portions to an even thickness. This helps it cook more evenly which helps prevent it from drying out.
- Tempering for better results: Rest the seasoned chicken at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before grilling to remove the chill, which helps it cook more efficiently.
- Season ahead for convenience and flavor: Toss the chicken with oil and seasonings up to a day in advance to let the flavors really soak in.
- Wash tongs between tasks: Use separate tongs for raw and cooked chicken, or wash them between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
- Reheating leftovers: Store leftover grilled chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in a skillet, in the microwave, or on the grill, then assemble tacos with your favorite toppings.
- Batch cooking for meal prep: Grill extra chicken to use in other recipes like salads, wraps, or burrito bowls throughout the week.
Recipe variations and serving ideas
- Sprinkle my simple taco seasoning blend on the chicken for added TexMex flavor.
- Include whole cooked black beans or refried black beans for a hearty, protein-packed addition.
- Drizzle my avocado ranch dressing over the tacos for a creamy, tangy twist.
- Swap in homemade blender salsa for a more classic salsa option.
- Serve cilantro lime rice on the side or inside the tacos for extra zest.
📖 Recipe
Easy Grilled Chicken Tacos Recipe
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When scaling the recipe 2x or 3x, the gray ingredient note stays the same. Adjust quantities accordingly.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, or Chicken Thighs
- 1 teaspoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cumin
- pinch Salt and Pepper
- 6 5-inch Corn Tortillas
- 8 ounces Fresh Salsa, Peach Salsa or Mango Salsa
Optional toppings
- Corn, Cotija Cheese, Fresh Cilantro, Lime Wedges
Instructions
Prepare the chicken for grilling
- Pat the CHICKEN BREASTS dry and pound the thicker portions to an even thickness for more consistent cooking.
- Place CHICKEN in a mixing bowl with OLIVE OIL, CUMIN, SALT, and PEPPER. Toss to coat and rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. This tempers the chicken and allows the flavors to meld.
Grill the chicken
- Preheat the grill to 400°F. Brush the grill grates clean and lightly oil.
- Place the CHICKEN BREASTS in the center of the grill, close the lid, and grill for 3-5 minutes, or until it releases easily from the grates without sticking.
- Flip the chicken over and adjust the knobs to create indirect heat (medium-off-medium) or MOM.
- Close the lid and grill until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Use fresh tongs to transfer grilled chicken breasts to a covered plate and rest for 5 minutes until they reach 165°F.
Assemble the grilled chicken tacos
- While the grilled chicken rests, lightly oil both sides of the tortillas and grill for a few minutes on each side until warmed.
- Shred or slice the grilled chicken against the grain.
- Stuff chicken into each tortilla, add favorite toppings, and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Equipment
- outdoor grill or indoor grill
- 2 tongs
Irena says
These tacos were fabulous! Loved the fresh flavors of the salsa, perfect for summer and not too heavy like some tacos can be.
Traci says
Yay! So glad you enjoyed! You can never go wrong with fresh salsa. Thanks for the feedback!
Paula says
My family enjoyed these on Tuesday this week. So tasty!
Traci says
Oh that's the perfect Taco Tuesday! So glad to hear it!
Melissa says
These tacos were so delicious! I love how easy they were to make too. Thanks for sharing
Traci says
Yay!! So glad you enjoyed them. I love how festive they are too!! Thanks for the feedback!
Patty says
What brand of corn tortillas do you like? I've tried several brands but not always enjoyed the ones in my grocery store.
The Kitchen Girl says
Hmmm, I don't have a favorite. I like them all LOL
JB says
Made these grilled chicken tacos with fresh salsa tonight. Awesome! Used some of the last fruit off our tree for this year. Totally worth it! Great recipe.
Traci Antonovich says
Yes!! They're to die for when you have fresh salsa scooped over them 🙂
Amanda says
I just commented to my family that we'd be having chicken breasts for dinner, but wasn't sure exactly how I'd make them, and here it is! I love the pairing of the your salsa and corn kernels with these tacos. So perfect for using the best of the produce at the farm market! Dinner's ON!
Traci Antonovich says
Yayyyy! I agree that knowing how to grill chicken breasts is half the battle. Thanks SO much for stopping by to let me know you're enjoying this recipe, Amanda. Day made!
Dana says
Oh man, grilled chicken and peaches! I've never had that combo before and now I'm craving it. That is a *must* try for me this summer. A punch of sweet and tangy with the chargrilled flavor on that chicken would be perfect in tacos. And we LOVE rockin' new tacos in this house.
Traci Antonovich says
Haha nice! Thanks for the kind words...and excitement! I know you'll LOVE this one, Dana 🙂
Trish Bozeman says
This is perfect for a summer night! And that salsa I could gobble up with a spoon. Another fantastic recipe, thanks!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Trish! So glad you're enjoying them!
Jenni LeBaron says
Taco night is always a good time and these look fantastic. A good salsa really makes tacos sing and these look packed full of flavor and healthy! I also love that you reiterate that you should not pre-wash your chicken breasts because it doesn't do anything but spread germs - I only learned that in the past year or two!
Traci Antonovich says
So glad you found this one helpful, Jenni...thanks for letting me know 🙂
Debra says
This salsa sounds like a fantastic addition to tacos...and we eat tacos several times a week. Thank you so much for enlightening me of that cooking technique, I had never even heard of it. Going to try that with other things as well.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Debra! Hope you love it! 🙂
Marisa F. Stewart says
What a great entertaining recipe! We LOVE tacos of all kinds but adding the peaches sounds like an amazing touch. We're having a family gathering next weekend and this recipe would be a great way to celebrate getting together.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Marisa...hope the tacos are a hit! Cheers!
Daniela says
These tacos sound like such a great alternative to your everyday grilled dishes. And I LOVE that they are so easy to make! That salsa sounds delicious! I might have to make a batch of it and just eat it on its own.
Traci Antonovich says
Haha thanks Daniela! That salsa was made for eating with or without the tacos...all day long 😉
Sandra Shaffer says
Yes, also chicken taco fans, so we are always trying new flavors. This recipe is simple and flavorful (love cumin). The salsa really balances the cumin flavor. Definitely recommend making this before the peach season is over!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Sandra! Yes, let's make ALL the salsa this season and devour it! 🙂
Gloria says
We LOVE tacos. Tacos of ALL kinds. These sound fantastic. Love the pairing of the chicken and peaches. I cannot wait for fresh fruit season here.....if it ever gets warm enough. This is the perfect summer entertaining recipe.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Gloria! I think you'll really enjoy this recipe 🙂
Sarah says
I love the bright colors of your salsa on this taco! I haven't made my own fruit salsa yet, I'll definitely have to try your recipe for our next taco night. Great tips on grilling the chicken with indirect heat, I need to remember that when I grill chicken breast since it's easy to overcook.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks so much, Sarah! I'm so glad you're finding the recipe tips helpful 🙂
Jessica Formicola says
That salsa sounds incredible and so refreshing!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks so much Jessica! It's one of my fav, all-time salsas 🙂
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
I can totally see myself having several of these in one sitting! That salsa looks SO GOOD!
Traci Antonovich says
Get on over here, Shadi! These were made for sharing 🙂
Stephanie says
What a yummy way to switch up Taco night! That salsa sounds perfect!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Stephanie! Glad you like the idea! 🙂
Jacqueline Debono says
Your salsa sounds amazing and I can imagine how good it tastes with chicken in these tacos! Yum!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Jacqueline! Love hearing it put like that 🙂
Lauren Vavala says
Yum! I love these tacos!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Lauren! Glad you like the idea 🙂
Sharon says
I'm putting these tacos on my weekend plans for sure! The addition of salsa makes them sound extra amazing.
Traci Antonovich says
Yay Sharon...so glad to hear it! Hope you enjoy them!!
Beth says
These grilled chicken tacos look simply amazing! I hear ya on the eating cold food!! Lol! We have a few peach trees too! I'm going to give you salsa a try!
Traci Antonovich says
Yay Beth, hope you do try the salsa...it's so easy to modify to, as you probably know 🙂 Hope you enjoy!
Chris Collins says
Oh yum! What an interesting combo, looks so scrummy!!!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Chris! The flavor combo is great...especially with that Cotija cheese topper 🙂
Marlynn says
That salsa looks amazing! What a flavorful topping for grilled chicken tacos.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Marlynn...it's my fav summer treat! 🙂
Shanika says
Tacos are my favorite and there's nothing like Chicken tacos! Yum! Plus that peach salsa---amazing!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Shanika! Love hearing it put like that 🙂