Ground Chicken Tacos

Making these grilled chicken street tacos in the summer is something we do all the time, whether it is for an easy family dinner or when we have friends over.

These chicken tacos are super easy to throw together and only take 15 minutes to cook on the grill. You can even marinate them overnight to save some prep time. The spices and lime juice create the perfect zesty, savory chicken that goes with pretty much anything and is great for leftovers.

Served alongside some slow cooker pinto beans, Mexican street corn, or a Mexican chopped salad, it's a really great way to throw a delicious taco night where everyone will leave full and happy.

Don't feel like firing up the grill? Make these stovetop shredded chicken tacos and chicken street tacos instead?

Before You Get Started

Here are some important things to note before you start this recipe:

• Prep the chicken ahead of time. You can marinate for up to 8 hours for a deeper flavor. You don’t want to marinate any longer than that or the lime juice can break down the muscle fibers too much, resulting in mushy chicken.
• Use fresh lime juice. It makes a big difference in the flavor and tenderizes the chicken.
• Don't skip the resting time. Letting the chicken sit for a few minutes after grilling keeps it juicy.
• Grill your tortillas. Just a quick char on each side brings out their flavor and makes them more pliable.

Homemade Chicken Taco Seasoning

Taco seasoning for chicken is something you can quickly make at home using spices you already have in your pantry. It can be used as a dry rub or combined with lime juice to make a marinade. You can adjust the heat level by adding cayenne or red pepper flakes to add more spice. This recipe makes enough for 1-1.5 lbs. of chicken.

• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• Directions: Mix together the spices to use as a dry rub. Add the juice of 2 limes or oil to use as a marinade. You can make a larger batch of the spice blend and store it for up to three months as well.

How much taco seasoning per pound?

Generally, you will want about two tablespoons of taco seasoning per pound of meat. This could shift depending on the strength of the taco seasoning and the level of spiciness. Always start with less, since it is much easier to add more and impossible to remove it.

How to Make Grilled Chicken Tacos

Step One: Prep the Chicken

Slice or pound the chicken so it's even in thickness. This helps it cook evenly and soak up the marinade and cook evenly on the grill.

Step Two: Marinate

Whisk together the lime juice, spices, and seasonings. Add the chicken and let it sit for at least 30 minutes.

Step Three: Grill the Chicken

Grill over medium-high heat until golden and cooked through.

Alternative: Use a grill pan, cast iron skillet, or even bake it. The marinade works no matter the method.

Step Four: Assemble and Serve

Chop the chicken, then build your tacos with salsa, onion, cilantro, and your favorite toppings.

How to Serve Grilled Chicken Tacos - The Best Taco Bar

To serve these chicken tacos, I like to set things up buffet-style and let everyone build their own tacos, salads, nachos, burritos, or bowls.

Start with a couple of types of salsa, usually opting to have one mild, one medium, and one hot. For the mild, I almost always serve pico de gallo and then use a homemade or store-bought red and green salsa to round things out.

Offer a bunch of chopped veggies - cilantro, onion, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado, or Guacamole. Set out the corn tortillas, flour tortillas, or some baked crispy taco shells. Add some shredded cheese or queso cotija. Then add Baked Tortilla Chips, Mexican rice, and black beans or refried beans.

Normally, I will make the rice and beans, but there are some good store-bought options as well. Then just let everyone build their own, adding their favorite taco toppings.

If I am doing this for a family dinner, I will just do a smaller version of what I included above based on the things we eat the most. I always make extra for leftovers. These keep great in the fridge, and the leftovers work for so many different recipes - quesadillas, burritos, taco salads, and more.

Need a vegetarian option as well? Add these tasty Grilled Vegetable Tacos as well.

Variations, Tips, and Substitutions

Want to change things up? Here are some easy ways to customize this recipe:

• Add heat: Mix in cayenne or use chipotle powder in the marinade.
• Make it creamy: Top the tacos with a quick Creamy Avocado Dressing or Creamy Chipotle Sauce.
• Tortilla swap: Use flour, paleo, or low-carb tortillas based on what you like or need.

Storage and Reheating

Here are some easy ways to store and reheat chicken tacos to enjoy them later:

• Fridge: Store leftover grilled chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken in portions for up to 2 months.
• Reheat: Warm in a skillet over low heat or microwave in short bursts with a splash of water.

Leftover Ideas for Grilled Chicken Tacos

Got leftovers? Transform them into the following dishes:

• Make more tacos: Switch these up and use the leftover grilled chicken in these baked crispy chicken tacos.
• Quesadillas: Grab canned black beans, canned corn, pico de gallo, cheese, and your leftover chicken for the best quesadilla filling. You can use traditional flour tortillas or a low-carb option for a lighter meal.
• Lettuce wraps: For a light and healthy lunch, wrap up your leftover grilled chicken in lettuce wraps with avocado, cheese, and salsa. Add canned black or pinto beans to make it more filling.
• Taco salads: Everyone loves a good taco salad, and this chicken works great as the protein. Top it with a spicy ranch by combining light ranch dressing with your favorite salsa.
• Chicken tortilla soup: Grab a can of vegetarian tortilla soup (or make your own!) and top it with this grilled chicken, fresh avocado, and some cheese.
• Burritos: My kids love burritos, so for an easy lunch, I stuff whole-grain tortillas with this chicken, beans, rice, and veggies. If we are having it for dinner, I will top the burritos with canned enchilada sauce and cheese to make wet burritos, one of our favorites. Burrito bowls are another tasty option with fajita veggies.
• Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches: We love spicy barbecue, so tossing this slightly spicy chicken with your favorite barbecue sauce and stuffing it into sandwiches is a great way to create a whole new dinner.