Chipotle Spiced Chicken Tacos with a cheese-filled tortilla and topped with fresh salsa. These easy chicken tacos are made in less than 20 minutes and are so popular!
Start by cutting the chicken into small bite-size pieces. Place in a bowl and toss with chipotle chile powder, taco seasoning, and garlic powder.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil. Once the oil is heated, add the chicken. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until fully cooked through. Add more oil if needed. For extra flavor, add more taco seasoning, if so desired. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper, if needed.
Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and leave any remaining oil. Place tortillas in the skillet and sprinkle cheese into the center of each tortilla. If you want the tortillas to be slightly crispy, drizzle more oil in the pan. Top with chicken. Heat until cheese is melted and fold over.
For the topping, stir together chopped cilantro, red onion, and jalapeno, or make homemade guacamole, salsa, or cilantro jalapeno dip. Serve with homemade salsa, guacamole, or sour cream. Carefully open the tacos and sprinkle or drizzle the topping inside the taco.
Notes
Chicken -- I suggest using boneless skinless chicken breast or chicken thighs and cutting into small diced pieces.
Chipotle Chile Powder -- this is what gives it that smoky flavor and subtle heat.
Taco Seasoning or Chili Powder -- taco seasoning is a mix of chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and other spices and adds a lot of flavor to the chicken.
Oil -- this is an important ingredient as it keeps the chicken moist and helps the spices to coat the chicken.
Tortillas -- use corn tortillas, flour tortillas, or 50/50 corn flour tortillas in this recipe.
Cheese -- use pepper jack, monterey jack cheese, oaxaca cheese, cheddar, or queso asadero.