🌮Tacos de Pollo Asado (Grilled Chicken Street Tacos)

Juicy, smoky, and bursting with citrus flavor—these grilled chicken street tacos bring the sizzle of the taquería right to your kitchen. Perfect for weekend cookouts or quick weeknight dinners, they’re a crowd favorite straight from abuelita’s playbook.

🍗 What You’ll Need:

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice of 1 orange 🍊
  • Juice of 1 lime 🍋
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano 🌿
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil 🫒
  • Corn tortillas (warmed) 🌮
  • Diced white onion 🧅
  • Fresh cilantro 🌿
  • Extra lime wedges for serving

🔪 Tools You’ll Need:

  • Bowl for marinating
  • Grill or cast iron skillet
  • Tongs
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Foil or clean towel to wrap tortillas

🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken

In a bowl, combine the orange juice, lime juice, garlic, paprika, oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, and olive oil.
Add the chicken thighs and toss to coat evenly.
Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour, or overnight for deeper flavor.

2. Prep Your Grill or Pan

Set your grill (or skillet) to medium-high heat.
Lightly oil the surface to prevent sticking.

3. Grill the Chicken

Cook the marinated chicken thighs for about 5–6 minutes per side, or until they’re charred and cooked through.
Internal temp should hit 165°F (74°C) if you’re checking.

Let the chicken rest on a plate for 5 minutes, then slice or chop into taco-sized pieces.

4. Warm the Tortillas

Wrap corn tortillas in foil or a clean towel and warm them on the grill or in a dry skillet.

5. Assemble Your Tacos

Top each tortilla with chicken, a sprinkle of diced onion, and fresh cilantro.
Squeeze on a little lime juice and serve hot!

🍽️ Serve It With:

  • Mexican rice
  • Refried beans
  • A cold Jarritos or fresh agua fresca
  • Salsa verde or a smoky chipotle crema

❄️ Storing Leftovers:

  • Store chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • Reheat gently in a pan or microwave with a splash of broth or lime juice to keep it juicy.

❤️ Tip from Abuela:

Marinating with citrus not only flavors the meat—it helps tenderize it too. And don’t skip the rest time after grilling—that’s when all the juice soaks back in. Warm your tortillas over the flame for a few seconds. That char? That’s the good stuff.

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