Description
These Chipotle Lime Chicken Tacos are a flavorful and easy-to-make meal prep recipe featuring tender, marinated chicken grilled or pan-seared to perfection and assembled with fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, and cilantro. The recipe also offers a delicious optional mango salsa twist for a sweet and spicy kick. Perfect for quick lunches or dinners with fresh, vibrant Mexican-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, minced
- 1 tbsp adobo sauce
- Juice & zest of 1 lime
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt & pepper, to taste
For the Tacos
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 8 small flour or corn tortillas (or butter lettuce leaves)
Optional Twist
- 1 cup mango salsa for sweet heat
Instructions
- Marinate chicken: Combine olive oil, minced chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, lime juice and zest, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add the chicken and toss well to coat. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes to absorb all the flavors.
- Cook chicken: Preheat a grill or skillet over medium heat. Cook the marinated chicken for 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until fully cooked through and no longer pink in the center. Once cooked, slice or dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Assemble meal prep boxes: In each container, arrange the cooked chicken, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, and chopped cilantro in separate sections. Store the tortillas or butter lettuce leaves separately to retain freshness.
- Serve: When ready to eat, gently heat the chicken. Assemble the tacos by placing chicken and your choice of toppings onto the tortillas or lettuce leaves. Fold and enjoy.
- Optional twist: Add a scoop of mango salsa to each taco for a fresh, sweet, and spicy flavor enhancement that complements the smoky chipotle.
- Meal prep tip: Always store tortillas separately from the other ingredients to prevent them from becoming soggy or steaming, maintaining the best texture for your tacos.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken for longer than 30 minutes (up to 4 hours) will intensify the flavors.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier results or chicken breasts for leaner protein.
- For a low-carb option, substitute tortillas with butter lettuce leaves.
- Mango salsa can be store-bought or homemade with diced mango, red onion, jalapeño, and lime juice.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days, but assemble tacos just before serving for best texture.
