These Ground Chicken Tacos are quick, flavorful, and easy to customize for any taco night. Made in just 25 minutes, this weeknight dinner uses lean ground chicken, a simple homemade taco seasoning blend, fresh guacamole, warm tortillas, and your favorite toppings.
Taco night has always been a favorite in my house. Growing up, my mom would set out bowls of toppings so everyone could build their own tacos with warm tortillas or crunchy taco shells. It was fun, simple, and perfect for feeding a family without making dinner complicated. These ground chicken tacos follow that same idea: cook a flavorful taco filling, prepare a few fresh toppings, and let everyone assemble their plate exactly how they like it.
This recipe is especially useful on busy nights because the chicken cooks quickly and the seasoning is made from pantry spices. The result is a savory, well-seasoned taco filling that works with salsa, lettuce, guacamole, cheese, beans, or any toppings you already have on hand.
Ingredients
See the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and exact quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Add cheese. Sharp cheddar or crumbled cotija both pair well with the seasoned chicken and creamy guacamole.
- Change the toppings. Use pico de gallo instead of salsa, add refried beans, pickled red onion, jalapeños, or your favorite hot sauce.
- Try another protein. This same seasoning works well with ground pork or ground beef if you want a different version of these tacos.
- Make it heartier. Stir in beans, corn, or sautéed peppers after the chicken is cooked for a more filling taco mixture.
Instructions
Step 1
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken and cook, breaking it apart as it browns, for about 7 to 8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if needed. Stir in the spices and tomato paste, then simmer for about 5 minutes so the chicken becomes well coated and flavorful.
Step 2
Add the guacamole ingredients to a bowl. Mash the avocado with a fork and mix until combined. Warm the tortillas over an open flame for about 30 seconds per side, or heat them in a lightly oiled skillet until soft and flexible.
Step 3
Build the tacos with chopped romaine lettuce, the seasoned ground chicken mixture, salsa, guacamole, and any additional toppings you enjoy. Serve right away with lime wedges and chopped cilantro if desired.
Sarah’s Top Tips
- Char the tortillas. Warming tortillas helps prevent cracking, and a light char adds great flavor.
- Make extra taco seasoning. Double the spice blend and store the extra in your spice drawer for future taco nights.
- Use fresh ingredients. Simple recipes like these chicken tacos taste best when the toppings are fresh and bright.
- Season generously. Ground chicken is mild, so the spice blend and tomato paste are important for creating a rich taco filling.
- Customize each taco. Add beans, corn, sautéed peppers, salsa, hot sauce, or cheese to make the tacos your own.
Serving
Serve these ground chicken tacos in warm tortillas with romaine lettuce, salsa, guacamole, cilantro, and lime. The seasoned chicken mixture is also great in lettuce wraps, taco bowls, burritos, or served over a salad. If you are feeding a group, set out the chicken and toppings separately so everyone can build their own tacos.
Storage & Reheating
For best results, store the taco components separately. Keep the cooked ground chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Reheat the chicken in the microwave or in a skillet on the stovetop until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Add a small splash of water if the mixture looks dry while reheating.
To freeze leftovers, place the cooled chicken in a freezer-safe bag or container and use within 2 to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat using the microwave or stovetop method above.
More Taco Recipes
-
Korean Beef Tacos1 Hour 25 Minutes
-
Easy Baked Buffalo Chicken Tacos45 Minutes
-
Blackened Fish Tacos23 Minutes
-
Easy Flank Steak Fajitas with Simple Marinade1 Hour 5 Minutes
Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating and a comment below. I would love to hear how it turned out.
Ground Chicken Tacos
See the full post for extra tips and photos.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- Tortillas
Guacamole
- 1 large avocado
- ½ lime, juiced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
Toppings
- Salsa
- Romaine lettuce, chopped
Instructions
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Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken and cook, crumbling it as it browns, for 7 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
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Add the salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, and tomato paste. Stir well and simmer for about 5 minutes.
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While the chicken cooks, make the guacamole. Add the avocado, lime juice, salt, and chopped cilantro to a bowl. Mash and mix until combined.
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Warm the tortillas over an open flame for about 30 seconds per side, or heat them in a lightly oiled skillet over low heat.
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Assemble each taco with romaine lettuce, seasoned ground chicken, salsa, and guacamole.
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Serve immediately with extra cilantro and lime wedges if desired.
Sarah’s Tips
- Char the tortillas to make them more flexible and flavorful.
- Make extra seasoning and keep it ready for future taco recipes.
- Use fresh lettuce, salsa, lime, and avocado for the best flavor.
- Store cooked ground chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
- Freeze leftover chicken in a freezer-safe bag or container for 2 to 3 months.
Tools I Use for This Recipe
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1 large skillet
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1 mixing bowl
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Calories: 291.06 kcal
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate. Actual values may vary depending on brands, measuring methods, and portion sizes.