Description
These Chicken Tacos with Pineapple Salsa offer a vibrant and fresh take on classic tacos, featuring tender, spice-rubbed chicken cooked on the stovetop and topped with a sweet and tangy pineapple salsa. Perfect for a quick and flavorful summer dinner, they bring together bold Mexican-inspired flavors with a tropical twist.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 8 small corn or flour tortillas
For the Pineapple Salsa
- 1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 jalapeño, seeded and minced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- Pinch of salt
Optional Toppings
- Avocado slices
- Sour cream
- Shredded lettuce
- Cotija cheese
- Hot sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the spice rub: In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create an even spice blend for the chicken.
- Season the chicken: Rub the spice blend evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts or thighs to ensure they are fully flavored.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the spiced chicken in the skillet and cook for 5 to 7 minutes on each side until the chicken is cooked through and has a golden brown crust.
- Rest and slice: Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and let it rest for 5 minutes. Then slice or shred the chicken for easy taco assembly.
- Make the pineapple salsa: While the chicken is cooking, combine diced pineapple, finely chopped red onion, minced jalapeño, chopped cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Stir the ingredients together and set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Warm the tortillas: Heat the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave them briefly until they are soft and pliable, ready for filling.
- Assemble the tacos: Place sliced or shredded chicken onto each tortilla, top with a generous spoonful of pineapple salsa, and add any optional toppings such as avocado slices, sour cream, shredded lettuce, cotija cheese, or hot sauce.
- Serve immediately: Enjoy these vibrant chicken tacos fresh for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Grilled chicken can be substituted for stovetop cooking to add a smoky flavor.
- The pineapple salsa can be prepared a few hours in advance and chilled to deepen the flavors.
- Try swapping pineapple with mango or peach for a different fruity twist on the salsa.
