Chili Lime Chicken Tacos with Zesty Grilled Pineapple Salsa

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Ever get that craving for something bright and zesty? I sure do. These Chili Lime Chicken Tacos are the answer.

They’re like a fiesta in your mouth, honestly. The key? That killer Pineapple Salsa for Tacos !

Brief Overview

Mexican Chicken Tacos are a classic, but this version is extra special. It's an Easy Taco Recipe that brings together sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors.

Ready in under 40 minutes, it serves four hungry people (two tacos each).

Main Benefits

This Taco Recipe is packed with lean protein from the chicken and vitamins from the pineapple. These are the perfect Summer Taco Recipes , especially for a casual cookout.

What makes them special? The Grilled Pineapple Salsa Recipe .

Chili Lime Chicken Tacos with Zesty Grilled Pineapple Salsa Recipe Card

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Preparation time:15 Mins

Cooking time:20 Mins

Servings:4 Servings

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Juice of 2 limes
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 small pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into rings or chunks
• 1 small red bell pepper, diced
• ½ small red onion, finely chopped
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional, for heat)
• Juice of 1 lime
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• Salt, to taste
• 8 small corn or flour tortillas
• Optional toppings: sliced avocado, sour cream or Mexican crema, extra lime wedges

Instructions:

• Combine marinade ingredients in a bowl. Add chicken, toss to coat, and marinate.
• Preheat grill. Grill pineapple until caramelized, flipping halfway. Chop into small pieces.
• Combine grilled pineapple, red bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño (if using), lime juice, cilantro, and salt in a bowl. Stir well.
• Grill or pan-fry the marinated chicken until cooked through. Let rest, then slice thinly.
• Heat tortillas on the grill or in a dry skillet until pliable.
• Divide sliced chicken among tortillas. Top with pineapple salsa and optional toppings. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:450

Protein:35g

Fat:20g

Carbs:30g

Fiber:30g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:Mexican

Let's Talk Ingredients

For the Chili Lime Chicken , you'll need about 1 pound of chicken – I like thighs for extra flavor.

Marinade it in olive oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Seriously, that Chicken Taco Marinade is magic.

And that Grilled Pineapple Salsa Recipe ? Grab a pineapple, a red bell pepper, a red onion, and a jalapeño for a bit of heat.

Don’t forget fresh cilantro and lime juice. It's seriously the best Pineapple Salsa for Tacos .

You'll also need 8 tortillas, plus any toppings you love like avocado or sour cream. This Spicy Chicken Taco Recipe is seriously amazing.

The sweet and spicy salsa complements the Chili Lime Chicken perfectly. If you want to make it a Weeknight Dinner Tacos , you can prep the salsa the night before and everything will be faster.

Ready to get cooking? You got this. I promise, these tacos are worth it. Trust me, it is that good!.

Ingredients & Equipment: Let's Taco 'Bout It!

So, fancy whipping up some Chili Lime Chicken Tacos ? Honestly, they're dead easy, and the Grilled Pineapple Salsa Recipe is a total game changer.

Seriously, ditch the boring ready meals. This is easy taco recipe perfection! Here's what you need.

Main Ingredients for Some Bangin' Tacos

Okay, first up, the chicken. Grab 1 lb (450g) of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. I actually prefer thighs – they stay juicier, you know? For the marinade, we're talking 2 tbsp of olive oil, the juice of 2 limes , 1 tbsp of chili powder, 1 tsp each of ground cumin and smoked paprika, and ½ tsp each of garlic powder, salt, and ¼ tsp of black pepper.

For that Pineapple Salsa for Tacos (oh my gosh, it’s divine!), you'll need 1 small pineapple, 1 small red bell pepper, ½ small red onion, 1 jalapeño (if you're feeling brave!), the juice of 1 lime , and ¼ cup of fresh cilantro.

Seasoning Notes: Spice Up Your Life!

Chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika are your best mates for that Spicy Chicken Taco Recipe . They give a warm, smoky depth.

No smoked paprika? Regular paprika is fine. Jalapeño is optional in the salsa, but a little kick never hurt anyone, right? If you like your heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the Chicken Taco Marinade .

Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple

No need for fancy gadgets. A grill or grill pan is essential to grill the pineapple properly and give those Mexican Chicken Tacos the ultimate flavour experience.

You'll also need some mixing bowls, a cutting board, a knife, and tongs.

For a quick alternative in case you do not have a proper Citrus juicer, you can squeeze the limes with your hands, but a citrus juicer makes life easier, honestly.

If you haven’t grilled pineapple before, you will love the results in this weeknight dinner tacos and it is also perfect for other Summer Taco Recipes .

Let's Taco 'bout Cooking: The Magic Behind Killer Chili Lime Chicken Tacos

Honestly, who doesn’t love a good taco? And when it comes to Summer Taco Recipes , these Chili Lime Chicken Tacos are a total game changer.

Forget bland, boring weeknight dinners. This Easy Taco Recipe is all about bold flavours and happy vibes. Think sunshine, spice, and a whole lotta YUM.

I once brought these Mexican Chicken Tacos to a potluck, and they vanished so fast, it was like magic.

Prep Like a Pro: Mise en Place for Chicken Taco Marinade Success

Before you even think about firing up the grill, let's get organized. First, measure out all your spices for the Chili Lime Chicken .

Juice those limes! Dice the peppers for the Grilled Pineapple Salsa Recipe . This essential mise en place will save you a ton of time and stress.

Seriously, trust me on this one. Also, a quick safety reminder: always wash your hands after handling raw chicken, alright?

From Zero to Taco Hero: Step-by-Step Spicy Chicken Taco Recipe

Here’s how we’re gonna turn basic ingredients into freaking amazing tacos:

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

   Add the chicken and toss to coat. Marinate for at least 15 minutes , or up to an hour in the fridge.

2. Grill the Pineapple: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill pineapple rings or chunks for 2- 3 minutes per side, until nicely caramelized. Then chop it into small pieces.

3. Salsa Time: In a bowl, combine the grilled pineapple, red bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño (if you're feeling brave!), lime juice, cilantro, and salt. Stir it all up.

4. Cook the Chicken: Grill or pan-fry the marinated chicken until cooked through. Use a meat thermometer and ensure an internal temp of 165° F ( 74° C) .

   Let it rest for a bit, then slice thinly.

5. Warm It Up: Warm your tortillas on the grill or in a dry skillet until they're nice and pliable. This prevents them from tearing and makes them taste better.

6. Taco Assembly: Load up your tortillas with sliced chicken. Top with Pineapple Salsa for Tacos . Add any other toppings you like – avocado, sour cream, lime wedges.

Weeknight Dinner Tacos Secrets: Pro Tips for Maximum Flavour

Okay, listen up because I'm about to drop some knowledge. First off, don’t be shy with the grill marks on that pineapple.

The char adds a smoky depth to the Grilled Pineapple Salsa Recipe .

Secondly, taste that salsa and adjust as needed. More lime? More jalapeño? You do you. A common mistake is overcooking the chicken. No one wants dry tacos. Use a thermometer!

Finally, this entire Chicken Taco Marinade is great on it's own, and you can make the Pineapple Salsa for Tacos a day ahead of time and store it in the fridge.

This makes these Chili Lime Chicken Tacos the perfect Weeknight Dinner Tacos . Enjoy, lads!

Recipe Notes for Perfect Chili Lime Chicken Tacos

Right, let's talk about nailing these Chili Lime Chicken Tacos . Honestly, they're pretty straightforward, but a few little tweaks can take them from good to amazing .

This Easy Taco Recipe could become your next favourite meal.

Serving it Up! Plating and Presentation

Presentation is key, you know? For these Mexican Chicken Tacos , I like to pile the Chili Lime Chicken high on a wooden board, with bowls of the Grilled Pineapple Salsa Recipe and other toppings scattered around.

It's all about that sharing vibe. Add some lime wedges and cilantro sprigs for a pop of colour. Trust me, it looks awesome for your feed! Try serving with some crispy tortilla chips and guacamole, you won't regret it.

Storing Those Leftovers

Okay, so you've somehow got leftovers? Lucky you! Keep the chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for about 3 days.

The salsa should also be kept separate. The tortillas are best stored at room temperature. When reheating the chicken, make sure it's piping hot all the way through.

You can also freeze the cooked chicken! Just let it cool completely before freezing, and thaw overnight in the fridge.

The salsa, I wouldn't freeze. The texture will change and it won't be as good.

Swapping Things Up: Variations on the Taco Theme

Fancy a change? No probs! If you're veggie, halloumi works a treat instead of chicken. Marinate it in the same Chicken Taco Marinade .

Summer squash, grilled to perfection, also works if you are after Summer Taco Recipes .

For a low-carb version, skip the tortillas and serve everything as a Spicy Chicken Taco Recipe bowl. Also, feel free to change up the salsa, mango salsa works well for this recipe!

Nutrition Lowdown

These Chili Lime Chicken Tacos are a winner because they are packed with protein and flavour, but aren't too heavy.

One serving comes in at around 450 calories, with 35g of protein, 20g of fat, and 30g of carbs. Of course, this is just an estimate and depends on your portion sizes.

I love knowing I'm getting a decent meal without the guilt. They're a great option for Weeknight Dinner Tacos .

So, there you have it! Now get in the kitchen and give these tacos a go. You got this!