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Flavorful Zesty Chicken Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

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These zesty chicken tacos with sweet pineapple salsa offer a quick, easy, and flavorful meal perfect for taco night. The smoky, spicy chicken pairs beautifully with the fresh, tangy pineapple salsa for a crowd-pleasing dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp chili powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1 cup fresh pineapple, finely diced
  • ½ small red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Salt to taste
  • 8 small corn or flour tortillas
  • Optional: sliced avocado
  • Optional: dollop of sour cream
  • Fresh lime wedges for serving

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine chicken thighs with minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, olive oil, and lime juice. Toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, preferably 30 minutes.
  2. While chicken marinates, dice pineapple, chop red onion, mince jalapeño, and chop cilantro. In a small bowl, mix pineapple, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Stir gently and set aside.
  3. Heat skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken in a single layer. Cook 5-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and chicken is nicely charred.
  4. Remove chicken and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice into thin strips or bite-sized pieces.
  5. Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or wrapped in foil in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes.
  6. Assemble tacos by placing chicken on tortillas, topping with pineapple salsa, and adding optional avocado or sour cream. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before marinating for better spice adhesion and searing. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to 165°F. Warm tortillas before serving for best texture. Salsa can be made ahead and refrigerated to deepen flavors. For gluten-free, use almond flour or corn tortillas. For dairy-free, omit sour cream or use coconut-based alternative.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken tacos, pineapple salsa, zesty chicken, taco night, quick dinner, easy recipe, spicy chicken, fresh salsa

Find it online: https://chloeplate.com/flavorful-zesty-chicken-tacos-with-pineapple-salsa-easy-recipe-for-taco-night/