Pineapple Chicken Tacos (Printable)
Marinated chicken with fresh pineapple salsa in warm tortillas.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken & Marinade
01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
04 - 1 clove garlic, minced
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 0.5 tsp chili powder
08 - 0.5 tsp salt
09 - 0.25 tsp black pepper
→ Pineapple Salsa
10 - 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
11 - 0.5 small red onion, finely chopped
12 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced
13 - 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
14 - 2 tbsp lime juice
15 - Pinch of salt
→ To Serve
16 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
17 - 1 avocado, sliced
18 - Extra cilantro leaves (optional)
19 - Lime wedges
# Directions:
01 - Combine olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes while preparing the salsa.
02 - Mix pineapple, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Set aside until ready to serve.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked through and lightly browned.
04 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until warm and pliable.
05 - Place chicken on each tortilla, top with pineapple salsa, avocado slices, and extra cilantro if desired. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The sweet heat from the pineapple salsa cuts through rich, savory chicken like magic
- Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, including the simple marinade
- These tacos turn ordinary Tuesday nights into something worth celebrating
02 -
- Don't skip the marinating time, even 10 minutes makes a noticeable difference
- Overcrowding the skillet steams the chicken instead of searing it, work in batches if needed
03 -
- Pat chicken dry before adding to the marinade for better adherence
- Let the salsa sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving