The Hungry HouseholdDinner › Chicken Tacos

Chicken Tacos

By Laura Bennett · Published 2026-07-18 · 28g protein per serving

Chicken tacos with lettuce, tomato and lime on a plate

Taco night doesn't need much beyond well-seasoned chicken and a hot pan — the spice blend here does the heavy lifting, so there's no marinating required.

Diced chicken cooks fast and browns well, giving good texture without the wait of a whole seasoned chicken breast.

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Cook the chicken in a single layer without stirring too often — letting it sit in contact with the hot pan is what gives it browned edges instead of just steaming through.

Overhead chicken tacos with toppings and lime wedges Save this recipe for later — pin it to your dinner board.

Chicken Tacos

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Total: 30 min Yield: 4 servings (8 tacos) 320 cal · 28g protein

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1. Season the chicken

    Toss diced chicken with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and a pinch of salt.

  2. 2. Cook

    Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.

    Close-up of chicken taco filling showing seasoned browned chicken
  3. 3. Assemble

    Divide chicken among warmed tortillas. Top with lettuce, tomato, cheese and sour cream.

  4. 4. Serve

    Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over the top.

Tips & Common Questions

How do I warm tortillas without them cracking?

Warm them directly in a dry skillet for 20-30 seconds per side, or wrap a stack in foil and heat in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes — cold tortillas straight from the fridge are what crack when folded.

Can I use ground chicken instead of diced breast?

Yes — ground chicken cooks faster (about 5-6 minutes) and works well with the same seasoning blend, just break it apart as it browns.

Can I make the chicken ahead for meal prep?

Yes — the seasoned cooked chicken keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days, making it easy to assemble tacos fresh each night without recooking.