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Quick Chicken Tacos - WITH sauce!

Course Main dishes, Poultry
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 12

Ingredients

  • 1.2 lb 700g chicken thighs skinless boneless (or breast)
  • 1/5 tbs olive oil
  • 2 tbs tomato paste
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 1 cup 250ml chicken broth separated (liquid stock)

HOMEMADE TACO SEASONING:

  • 3 tbs lime juice (Note 1)
  • 2 tbs olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tsp each garlic powder onion powder, dried oregano
  • 3 tsp each cumin powder, paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust spiciness to taste, can skip)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

To serve:

  • soft taco shells or tortillas , warmed per packet directions
  • diced tomato onion, avocado, coriander/cilantro leaves
  • lettuce shredded
  • shredded cheese
  • sour cream

Instructions

  • Place Taco Seasoning ingredients in a bowl. Add 2 tbsp of the chicken broth and mix to form a loose paste.
  • Add chicken, turn to coat.
  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 3 minutes on each side until lightly seared. (Reserve marinade dregs in a bowl)
  • Remove chicken into a shallow dish.
  • Return skillet to stove, reduce to medium. Add remaining chicken broth, tomato paste, sugar and scrape in any marinade left in the bowl. Mix to dissolve, scraping base of pan, and bring to simmer
  • Meanwhile, shred chicken with forks, or chop (don't worry if raw inside).
  • Return chicken into sauce, toss and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until sauce reduces to a thin syrup consistency (add water if reduces too fast). Adjust salt to taste.
  • Transfer chicken and all sauce to serving bowl.

Serving:

  • Warm taco shells or tortillas.
  • Stuff with chicken, making sure it's soaked with the sauce.
  • Top with tomato, avocado, onion, coriander, lettuce, and sour cream. Devour!

Notes

Quick Chicken Tacos - WITH sauce!

A 2-in-1 chicken taco filling: shredded chicken AND sauce made in the same pan using the same seasoning mix! Because it's so juicy and packed with tons of flavor, the toppings can be kept simple and there's no need to make an extra sauce. No marinating required.
Recipe Notes:
1. Lime juice - loads of sub-options here, just need something to help make a loose paste that adds either sour OR sweet. Lemon juice, cider vinegar, rice vinegar, or even orange or apple juice, or other plain fruit juice (can't taste it at the end). If using a fruit juice can probably skip sugar in the sauce.
2. Nutrition for chicken filling and sauce only, per taco (assuming 12 tacos, about 1/4 - 1/3 cup in each). Only reduces to 100 cal if made using breast.