Elevate your taco game with this irresistible recipe for Spicy Maple Glazed Chicken Tacos with Avocado Slaw. Combining bold flavors from the sweetly spiced chicken and the bright, creamy slaw, this dish is a flavor explosion that’s sure to transport your taste buds on a global culinary adventure. Get ready to wow your friends and family with this easy-to-make, restaurant-quality meal.
Why You’ll Love This Spicy Maple Glazed Chicken Tacos with Avocado Slaw
These tacos are the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors. The maple-glazed chicken is juicy, tender, and packed with a delightful heat that pairs beautifully with the cool and crunchy avocado slaw. The combination of textures and temperatures creates a truly craveable and satisfying dish that’s sure to become a new family favorite. Plus, this recipe is easy to customize to your taste preferences, making it a versatile and crowd-pleasing option for any occasion.
Ingredients
This recipe calls for a mix of readily available ingredients that come together to create a flavor-packed taco experience. The star of the show is the chicken, which is marinated in a spicy-sweet maple glaze. The slaw features a creamy avocado-based dressing that perfectly complements the tangy, crunchy vegetables. Rounding out the dish are fresh toppings like cilantro, lime, and your choice of tortillas or taco shells.
- 1 lb (454g) – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1/4 cup (60ml) – Maple syrup
- 2 tsp – Chili powder
- 1 tsp – Garlic powder
- 1 tsp – Salt
Ingredient Substitutions
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (leaner, but may be less juicy)
- Slaw: Shredded cabbage, carrots, or other crunchy veggies (for dietary preferences)
How to Make Spicy Maple Glazed Chicken Tacos with Avocado Slaw
Begin by preparing the chicken marinade and slaw dressing. In a large bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours) to allow the flavors to meld. For the slaw, mash the avocado in a separate bowl, then stir in the lime juice, mayo, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Step 1: Prep Work
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Transfer the marinated chicken to a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Once cooked, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then shred or chop it into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the slaw by shredding the cabbage, carrots, and onion in a large bowl. Pour the avocado dressing over the slaw and toss to coat evenly. To assemble the tacos, warm the tortillas or taco shells according to the package instructions. Top each shell with a generous portion of the shredded chicken, followed by the avocado slaw. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Creamier Slaw: Add a dollop of Greek yogurt to the dressing.
- Protein Swap: Use shredded or grilled steak, pork, or even tofu.
- Extra Crunch: Top the tacos with crushed tortilla chips or toasted pepitas.
- Sweet Touch: Drizzle the tacos with a bit of honey or maple syrup.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and your favorite taco toppings.
Storage: Leftover chicken and slaw can be stored separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Reheat the chicken before assembling the tacos.
Make-Ahead: The chicken and slaw can be prepared in advance, then assembled just before serving.
Nutrition Information
These tacos are a nutritious and balanced meal, providing a good source of protein from the chicken, healthy fats from the avocado, and a variety of vitamins and minerals from the fresh vegetables.
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Protein: 25 g
- Carbs: 35 g
- Fat: 20 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of tortillas or taco shells should I use?
You can use any type of tortilla or taco shell that you prefer, from corn to flour to whole wheat. For a gluten-free option, opt for corn tortillas or lettuce wraps.
Can I make the chicken and slaw in advance?
Absolutely! The chicken can be marinated and the slaw can be prepared a day or two in advance, making this a great option for meal prep or easy entertaining. Just assemble the tacos right before serving.
How can I make this recipe spicier?
To amp up the heat, you can increase the amount of chili powder or cayenne pepper in the chicken marinade. You can also add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the slaw.
Can I use a different type of protein?
Yes, you can definitely swap out the chicken for another protein, such as shredded pork, grilled steak, or even roasted tofu or mushrooms for a vegetarian option.
How do I keep the avocado slaw from browning?
To prevent the avocado from oxidizing and turning brown, make sure to toss the slaw with the dressing just before serving. The lime juice in the dressing helps to keep the avocado bright and fresh.
Try These Next
- street style spicy chicken tacos with creamy slaw
- crispy korean bbq chicken tacos with spicy slaw
- spicy chipotle chicken tacos with avocado cream
Spicy Maple Glazed Chicken Tacos with Avocado Slaw
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: 🌍 Global Flavors & Street Food
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
These Spicy Maple Glazed Chicken Tacos are a delicious blend of sweet and spicy flavors, topped with a refreshing avocado slaw. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun taco night!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
– 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
– 1/4 cup maple syrup
– 2 tbsp soy sauce
– 1 tbsp sriracha
– 1 tsp garlic powder
– 1 tsp smoked paprika
– Salt and pepper to taste
For the Avocado Slaw:
– 1 cup shredded green cabbage
– 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
– 1 ripe avocado, diced
– 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
– Juice of 1 lime
– Salt and pepper to taste
For Serving:
– 8 small corn tortillas
– Lime wedges, for garnish
Instructions
1. 1. In a bowl, mix together maple syrup, soy sauce, sriracha, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. 2. Add the chicken thighs to the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
3. 3. In a separate bowl, combine the green cabbage, purple cabbage, avocado, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper to make the slaw.
4. 4. Heat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat and cook the marinated chicken for 6-8 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked.
5. 5. Once cooked, remove the chicken and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
6. 6. Warm the corn tortillas on the grill for about 30 seconds on each side.
7. 7. To assemble, place a few slices of chicken on each tortilla, top with avocado slaw, and garnish with lime wedges.
Notes
For extra heat, add more sriracha to the marinade. You can also substitute the chicken thighs for chicken breasts if preferred. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: tacos, chicken, spicy, maple syrup, avocado