Description
These Grilled Chicken Street Tacos feature tender, marinated chicken thighs grilled to perfection and served with warm tortillas and your favorite toppings. The marinade combines fresh lime juice, olive oil, and a blend of spices including cumin and chili powder, giving the chicken a vibrant, smoky flavor reminiscent of authentic Mexican street food. Quick to prepare and cook, this recipe yields delicious tacos perfect for a casual weeknight meal or a summer cookout.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade and Chicken
- 1.5-2 lbs boneless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup lime juice (2 to 3 fresh limes)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or sea salt)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1/4 cup loosely packed chopped cilantro
For Serving
- Warm tortillas
- Your favorite taco toppings (such as chopped onions, cilantro, salsa, avocado, lime wedges)
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, combine lime juice, olive oil, kosher salt, cumin, chili powder, and chopped cilantro. Whisk together until the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the boneless chicken thighs to the marinade, ensuring each piece is well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight for maximum flavor infusion.
- Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat, preparing it for direct cooking.
- Grill the chicken (first side): Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade, letting excess marinade drip off. Place them on the grill and cook for 4 minutes without moving to develop a nice char.
- Grill the chicken (second side): Flip the chicken thighs over carefully and grill for another 4 minutes to cook evenly.
- Finish cooking the chicken: Flip the chicken again, cooking for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches at least 165ºF, although chicken thighs are best cooked to around 175ºF for tenderness and flavor.
- Rest the chicken: Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil. Let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Slice and serve: Chop the rested chicken into bite-sized pieces. Serve with warm tortillas and top with your preferred taco accompaniments for a delicious street taco experience.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken overnight for the most flavorful results.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Chicken thighs are preferred over breasts for juicier tacos.
- Customize toppings to suit your taste – fresh salsa, diced onions, avocado slices, and extra cilantro work great.
- For additional smoky flavor, consider using a charcoal grill or adding wood chips to a gas grill.
