Pineapple Chicken Tacos (Printable)
Juicy chicken and sweet pineapple in vibrant, flavorful tacos. Perfect for quick weeknight meals or festive gatherings.
# 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 fresh lime juice
04 - 1 clove garlic, minced
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Pineapple Salsa
10 - 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
11 - 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
12 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced
13 - 1/4 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
19 - Lime wedges
# How To Make:
01 - Whisk together olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat thoroughly. Let marinate for 15 minutes while preparing the salsa.
02 - Combine diced pineapple, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and salt in a bowl. Mix well and set aside to allow flavors to meld.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and lightly browned.
04 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds on each side or microwave wrapped in damp paper towels for 20-30 seconds until pliable and warm.
05 - Place cooked chicken onto each warmed tortilla. Top with pineapple salsa, avocado slices, and additional cilantro if desired. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The combination of juicy chicken and bright pineapple salsa tastes like a vacation in every bite
- Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights
- These tacos are naturally dairy free and can be made gluten free with corn tortillas
02 -
- Crowding the pan when cooking the chicken will cause it to steam instead of sear, so work in batches if necessary
- Letting the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking helps the juices redistribute so they do not run out when you cut into the meat
03 -
- For the most authentic texture, use small corn tortillas and toast them directly over a gas burner until they get slightly charred spots
- If you cannot find fresh pineapple, thawed frozen pineapple chunks work surprisingly well in the salsa