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Charred Chile Marinated Grilled Chicken Tacos

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  • Author: Mollyyeh
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 8 tacos 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Description

Grilled chicken marinated in a smoky, spicy chile sauce, served in soft tacos with fresh toppings for a bold, flavorful meal.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons ancho chile powder
  • 1 tablespoon chipotle chile powder
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 8 small corn or flour tortillas
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges
  • 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco (optional)
  • 1/4 cup sour cream or crema (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, garlic, ancho chile powder, chipotle powder, smoked paprika, cumin, cinnamon, cloves, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  2. Place chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish and pour marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag or cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2 hours, to allow the flavors to meld.
  3. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and discard any excess marinade.
  4. Grill chicken for 6–7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is cooked through.
  5. Remove chicken from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
  6. Warm tortillas on the grill or in a dry skillet for about 1 minute per side.
  7. Assemble tacos by placing sliced chicken on each tortilla. Top with diced onion, cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and optional toppings like crumbled queso fresco and sour cream or crema.
  8. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • For an extra smoky flavor, add grilled vegetables like peppers or onions to the tacos.
  • If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce or omit the chipotle chile powder.
  • To make it gluten-free, use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas.
  • Marinate the chicken overnight for even more intense flavor.
  • Pair these tacos with a refreshing margarita or iced tea for a perfect meal.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 tacos
  • Calories: 290 kcal
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 520 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 19 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 26 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg