Street tacos are a beloved Mexican street food, perfect for quick, flavorful meals. These Street Style Spicy Chicken Tacos with Creamy Slaw combine tender, boldly seasoned chicken, cooling creamy slaw, and all the classic taco toppings for a fast, satisfying dish that brings the vibrant flavors of the street right to your kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Street Style Spicy Chicken Tacos with Creamy Slaw
These tacos are bursting with big, bold flavor thanks to a flavorful spice blend that coats the chicken, creating a caramelized crust when seared. The cool, creamy slaw provides the perfect contrast, while classic taco toppings like diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and tangy lime wedges tie it all together. They’re a delicious and easy-to-make dinner that’s sure to become a new family favorite.
Ingredients
This recipe calls for simple, accessible ingredients like boneless, skinless chicken thighs, a blend of warm spices, shredded cabbage, and a creamy, tangy dressing. You may already have most of these items in your pantry and fridge.
- 1 lb – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp – Chili powder
- 1 tsp – Cumin
- 1/2 tsp – Paprika
- 1/4 tsp – Cayenne pepper
- 2 cups – Shredded green cabbage
- 1/2 cup – Sour cream
- 2 tbsp – Lime juice
- 1 tsp – Honey
- 1/4 tsp – Salt
- 8 – Corn tortillas
- 1 cup – Diced tomatoes
- 1 cup – Shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 – Lime, cut into wedges
Ingredient Substitutions
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (the thighs provide more juicy, flavorful results)
- Cabbage: Shredded lettuce or a mix of greens (for a different texture and flavor profile)
How to Make Street Style Spicy Chicken Tacos with Creamy Slaw
Begin by preheating your oven and preparing the spice blend. Trim and cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, then toss them in the spices until evenly coated. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the seared chicken to a plate.
Step 1: Prep Work
Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Trim the chicken thighs and cut them into 1-inch pieces. Toss the chicken with the spice blend until evenly coated.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches if needed, sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the seared chicken to a plate.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
In the same skillet, sauté the shredded cabbage over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, lime juice, honey, and salt. Toss the creamy dressing with the sautéed cabbage. Serve the spicy chicken on warm tortillas, topped with the creamy slaw, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Marinade the Chicken: For even more flavor, try marinating the chicken in a mixture of lime juice, garlic, and a bit of the spice blend before cooking.
- Add a Kick of Heat: Drizzle the slaw with a bit of hot sauce or sprinkle it with crushed red pepper flakes for an extra kick of heat.
- Serve with Avocado or Sour Cream: A dollop of cool sour cream or diced avocado makes a delicious addition to these tacos.
- Bake the Chicken: For a healthier option, bake the seasoned chicken at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until cooked through and lightly browned.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Refried beans, Spanish rice, or a fresh, zesty salsa.
Storage: Leftover chicken and slaw can be stored separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Reheat the chicken gently before assembling the tacos.
Make-Ahead: The slaw can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Information
These tacos are a balanced, protein-packed meal, with the chicken providing a good source of lean protein and the slaw contributing valuable vitamins and fiber. Each serving contains approximately 350 calories, 30g of protein, and 12g of carbs.
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Protein: 30 g
- Carbs: 12 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make these tacos less spicy?
To reduce the heat, use a milder chili powder or paprika in the spice blend, or omit the cayenne pepper. You can also add more slaw or cool toppings like diced avocado to balance the spice.
Can I make the slaw ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the slaw up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. The flavors will continue to meld, and it will be ready to serve when you’re ready to assemble the tacos.
Are these tacos gluten-free?
To make these tacos gluten-free, simply use corn tortillas instead of flour. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Can I bake the chicken instead of searing it?
Absolutely! Bake the seasoned chicken at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until cooked through and lightly browned.
What else can I serve with these tacos?
These tacos pair wonderfully with classic Mexican sides like refried beans, Spanish rice, or a fresh, zesty salsa. They also go great with crispy, seasoned roasted potatoes or a simple green salad.
Try These Next
- spicy thai chicken street tacos with fresh salsa
- spicy mango chicken street tacos with fresh salsa
- spicy thai chicken tacos with cilantro slaw
Spicy Chicken Tacos with Creamy Slaw
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: 🌍 Global Flavors & Street Food
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
These Street Style Spicy Chicken Tacos are bursting with flavor and topped with a creamy slaw for the perfect balance!
Ingredients
– 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 2 tbsp taco seasoning
– 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
– 8 small corn tortillas
– 1 cup shredded cabbage
– 1/2 cup carrots, grated
– 1/4 cup mayonnaise
– 1 tbsp lime juice
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
1. 1. In a bowl, combine chicken thighs, olive oil, taco seasoning, and cayenne pepper. Mix well.
2. 2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for 6-8 minutes per side until cooked through.
3. 3. Remove from heat and let rest for a few minutes before slicing.
4. 4. In a separate bowl, mix shredded cabbage, grated carrots, mayonnaise, lime juice, salt, and pepper to create the slaw.
5. 5. Warm the corn tortillas in a dry skillet for about 30 seconds on each side.
6. 6. Assemble the tacos by placing sliced chicken on the tortillas and topping with creamy slaw.
7. 7. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve immediately.
Notes
For extra spice, add sliced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce. You can also substitute chicken thighs with chicken breast or tofu for a vegetarian option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: tacos, spicy chicken, street food, global flavors