Prepare to embark on a flavor adventure with our Spicy Chipotle Chicken Tacos with Fiery Slaw! This dish is a vibrant fusion of bold Mexican spices, tender chicken, and a crunchy, zesty slaw that will transport your taste buds to the bustling streets of a lively taco truck. Get ready to indulge in a cozy, comforting, and utterly craveable meal that’s sure to satisfy your inner foodie.
Why You’ll Love This Spicy Chipotle Chicken Tacos with Fiery Slaw
Dive into the lush, smoky, and bright flavors of this epic dish that’s perfect for any occasion. The juicy, crispy chicken paired with the creamy, zesty slaw creates a harmonious balance of textures and tastes, making it a crowd-pleasing favorite. Whether you’re looking for a hearty, satisfying meal or a festive, flavorful way to spice up your taco night, this recipe is sure to become a new family staple.
Ingredients
Gather your taste buds and let’s dive into the delicious ingredients that make this dish so crave-worthy. You’ll need boneless, skinless chicken thighs, chipotle chiles in adobo, garlic, lime juice, olive oil, and a blend of warm spices to create the flavorful chicken. For the fiery slaw, you’ll need a mix of shredded cabbage, carrots, jalapeños, cilantro, lime juice, and a touch of honey to balance the heat.
- 1 lb – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2-3 – Chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
- 3 cloves – Garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp – Lime juice
- 2 tbsp – Olive oil
Ingredient Substitutions
- Protein: Chicken breasts or a mix of thighs and breasts (same cooking time)
- Slaw Spice Level: Reduce the amount of jalapeños or swap for a milder pepper (adjust to your preference)
How to Make Spicy Chipotle Chicken Tacos with Fiery Slaw
Get ready to bring the heat and the flavor with these easy-to-follow steps!
Step 1: Prep Work
Begin by preparing the flavorful chicken. In a blender or food processor, combine the chipotle chiles, garlic, lime juice, olive oil, and spices, then blend until a smooth marinade forms. Add the chicken to the marinade, ensuring it’s evenly coated, and let it sit for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight) to infuse the meat with those irresistible flavors.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Preheat your oven or grill and cook the marinated chicken until it’s golden, crispy, and cooked through. Once the chicken is done, shred or chop it into bite-sized pieces.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the fiery slaw. In a large bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, carrots, jalapeños, cilantro, lime juice, and a drizzle of honey. Toss everything together until the slaw is evenly coated.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
To assemble the tacos, simply place the shredded chipotle chicken on warm tortillas or taco shells, and top with the crunchy, zesty slaw. Garnish with any additional toppings, like diced avocado, crumbled queso fresco, or a drizzle of crema, for a truly loaded and satisfying taco experience.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Protein Swap: Try using shredded pork or grilled steak for a delicious twist.
- Slaw Customization: Experiment with different types of cabbage, add in diced mango or pineapple for a sweet-and-spicy balance, or top the tacos with a creamy, cooling avocado crema.
- Vegetarian Option: Swap the chicken for roasted portobello mushrooms.
- Additional Toppings: Consider adding diced avocado, crumbled queso fresco, a drizzle of crema or sour cream, pickled onions, and fresh cilantro.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Warm tortillas or taco shells, lime wedges, and any desired toppings.
Storage: The chicken and slaw can be prepared in advance and stored separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Reheat the chicken in the oven or on the stovetop before assembling the tacos.
Make-Ahead: Prepare the chicken and slaw in advance for an easy, flavorful weeknight meal.
Nutrition Information
These Spicy Chipotle Chicken Tacos with Fiery Slaw are a hearty, satisfying meal that’s also packed with nutrients. Each serving provides a balance of protein from the chicken, fiber and vitamins from the vegetable-based slaw, and a touch of healthy fats from the avocado or other toppings. Enjoy this flavorful dish guilt-free as part of a well-rounded diet.
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Protein: 35 g
- Carbs: 40 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Sodium: 730 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the chicken and slaw in advance?
Yes! The chicken and slaw can both be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored separately in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply reheat the chicken and assemble the tacos.
How can I make the slaw less spicy?
If you prefer a milder slaw, you can reduce the amount of jalapeños or swap them out for a different type of pepper, such as a bell pepper or a milder chili pepper.
Can I use a different protein besides chicken?
Absolutely! This recipe works great with other proteins, such as shredded pork, grilled steak, or even roasted portobello mushrooms for a vegetarian option.
What are some tasty toppings to add to these tacos?
Some delicious toppings to consider include diced avocado, crumbled queso fresco, a drizzle of crema or sour cream, pickled onions, and fresh cilantro.
Can I make these tacos gluten-free?
Yes, you can easily make these tacos gluten-free by using corn tortillas or lettuce wraps instead of traditional flour tortillas.
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Spicy Chipotle Chicken Tacos with Fiery Slaw
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: 🌍 Global Flavors & Street Food
- Method: Pan-Fry
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
These Spicy Chipotle Chicken Tacos are packed with flavor and topped with a zesty fiery slaw for an unbeatable street food experience.
Ingredients
– 1 lb chicken breast, diced
– 2 tablespoons chipotle in adobo sauce
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 teaspoon cumin
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 8 small corn tortillas
– 2 cups cabbage, shredded
– 1/2 cup carrots, shredded
– 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
– 1 lime, juiced
– 1/4 cup mayonnaise
– 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
– 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
1. 1. In a bowl, combine chicken, chipotle in adobo, olive oil, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. 2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken until fully cooked, about 7-10 minutes.
3. 3. In a separate bowl, mix together cabbage, carrots, cilantro, lime juice, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and honey to make the slaw.
4. 4. Warm the tortillas in a skillet or microwave.
5. 5. Assemble the tacos by placing the cooked chicken on the tortillas and topping with the fiery slaw.
6. 6. Serve with extra lime wedges and enjoy!
Notes
For extra heat, add sliced jalapeños on top of the tacos. You can also substitute chicken with tofu for a vegetarian option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: tacos, chicken, spicy, chipotle