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Honey Chipotle Chicken Tacos Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.8 from 53 reviews
  • Author: Maria
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 8 tacos
  • Category: Entree
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Description

These Honey Chipotle Chicken Tacos offer a perfect balance of sweet and smoky flavors with tender chicken breasts coated in a spicy honey chipotle sauce. Served on warm flour tortillas and topped with crunchy red cabbage, fresh cilantro, crumbled queso fresco, and a creamy dollop of sour cream, these tacos make for a quick and flavorful meal perfect for any occasion.


Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

  • 2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Honey Chipotle Sauce

  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice

Toppings and Assembly

  • 8 small flour tortillas
  • 1/2 cup red cabbage, shredded
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 1/4 cup crumbled queso fresco
  • 1/4 cup sour cream


Instructions

  1. Heat the Skillet: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the tablespoon of olive oil, allowing it to warm thoroughly for cooking the chicken.
  2. Season the Chicken: While the skillet heats, evenly season both sides of the chicken breasts with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground black pepper, and salt to infuse flavor.
  3. Cook the Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken breasts into the hot skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and completely cooked through, ensuring juiciness.
  4. Rest the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the skillet and transfer it to a cutting board to rest for a few minutes, allowing the juices to redistribute.
  5. Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine honey, chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, adobo sauce, and lime juice to create the honey chipotle sauce.
  6. Mix the Sauce: Stir the sauce ingredients thoroughly until well blended and smooth, blending the sweet and smoky flavors.
  7. Slice the Chicken: Slice the rested chicken breasts into thin strips against the grain for tenderness.
  8. Coat the Chicken: Drizzle the honey chipotle sauce over the sliced chicken and gently toss to coat all pieces evenly with the flavorful sauce.
  9. Warm the Tortillas: Heat the flour tortillas in the skillet for about 20 seconds on each side until soft and warm, prepping them for assembly.
  10. Assemble Tacos: Place the warm tortillas on a plate and add a portion of the sauced chicken to the center of each tortilla.
  11. Add Toppings: Top each chicken-filled tortilla with shredded red cabbage, chopped cilantro, crumbled queso fresco, and a dollop of sour cream for crunch and creaminess.
  12. Serve: Serve the assembled honey chipotle chicken tacos immediately while warm and enjoy the vibrant and balanced flavors.

Notes

  • For extra heat, add more chipotle peppers or adobo sauce to the honey chipotle sauce.
  • Substitute flour tortillas with corn tortillas for a gluten-free option.
  • Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for a juicier texture.
  • Leftover chicken and sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • To make this dish dairy-free, omit the queso fresco and sour cream or use dairy-free alternatives.