Grilled Chicken Street Tacos

The marination time is crucial for flavor penetration and moisture retention in your grilled chicken. While marinating for 30 minutes can impart a decent flavor, allowing the chicken to marinate for 1-2 hours yields a more profound taste and enhanced tenderness. If time permits, aim for the longer marination period, especially with a well-balanced marinade that includes acid (like lime juice), oils, and spices. This allows the chicken to absorb all the delicious flavors, resulting in juicy, flavorful meat once grilled.

Explore the vibrant world of Mexican cuisine with these Sizzling Grilled Chicken Street Tacos! Perfect for summer gatherings, this recipe features marinated grilled chicken bursting with flavor and complemented by fresh toppings like avocado, pineapple, and cilantro. Easy to prepare and deliciously satisfying, these tacos embody the essence of street food culture. Gather your friends, fire up the grill, and delight in a flavorful culinary adventure that brings everyone together!

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Ingredients

For the Chicken Marinade:

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Juice of 2 limes

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for an extra kick)

For the Tacos:

8 small corn tortillas

1 cup fresh pineapple, diced into small cubes

1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped

1/2 cup queso fresco or crumbled feta cheese

1 ripe avocado, sliced

Lime wedges, for garnishing

Your choice of salsa, for topping

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken:

- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lime juice, minced garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, sea salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper for heat.

- Add the chicken thighs to the marinade, ensuring each piece is completely coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. For an even richer flavor, marinate for 1-2 hours if time allows.

Preheat the Grill:

- While the chicken marinates, preheat your grill to medium-high heat, aiming for a temperature of around 400°F (200°C).

Grill the Chicken:

- After marinating, remove the chicken from the bowl, allowing any excess marinade to drip off before placing it onto the preheated grill. Grill the chicken for about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and has nice, charred grill marks.

- Once cooked through, transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes. Then, slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Warm the Tortillas:

- While the chicken is resting, warm the corn tortillas on the grill for approximately 30 seconds on each side until they are heated through and slightly charred, enhancing their flavor.

Assemble the Tacos:

- Lay a warm tortilla on a plate and generously pile on a portion of the sliced grilled chicken. Top it with diced pineapple, finely chopped red onion, fresh cilantro, and sliced avocado. Sprinkle crumbled queso fresco over the top for a creamy finish.

Serve:

- Arrange the tacos on a platter alongside lime wedges for squeezing and a bowl of your favorite salsa for drizzling on top.

Prep Time, Total Time, Servings: 15 mins | 1 hr | 4-6 servings

- Presentation Tips: To make the tacos visually appealing, serve them on a colorful platter garnished with extra cilantro and lime slices. You can also stack the tortillas for a stunning layered look!