Get ready to have your taste buds blown away! These easy grilled chicken tacos are out-of-this world delicious! Made with extra juicy and flavorful chicken thigh, homemade guacamole, a refreshing cabbage slaw, crumbled queso fresco and hot sauce. I like to add a squeeze of lime juice and more cilantro before digging in. These chicken tacos perfectly capture the essence of summer with so much flavor in every bite!

Watch My Chicken Tacos Video Tutorial

Watch my YouTube chicken taco video tutorial for step-by-step instructions and see how I make these tacos at home! Want to stay up to date on the latest recipes and news? Make sure to subscribe to my website email list and my YouTube channel and turn on notifications!

Ingredients for Easy Grilled Tacos

Don’t let the long ingredient list intimidate you! These grilled chicken tacos are made with a few different components that when brought together, make for the best food experience! Here are some of the main ingredients you’ll need; find the full, printable recipe in the recipe card below.

• Chicken: my favorite cut to use is the chicken thigh. However, this recipe will also work great with chicken breast or chicken tenders.
• Avocados: to make the homemade guacamole. You can also use premade, store-bought guacamole for the recipe.
• Tortillas: go for smaller tortilla shells. I like the small ones, or the street-taco sized tortillas. Both corn or flour, or a mixture of both, will work great.
• Cabbage: you can use a combination of purple and green cabbage, or just one of the two.
• Queso Cheese: I love having this crumbly, creamy and salty cheese on my tacos. Feel free to add your favorite variety.

Supplies & Tools for the Recipe

Need some supplies or tools to make this easy chicken dinner at home? You can get some of items I use in my kitchen using these Amazon Affiliate links. Using these links won’t cost you extra and I’ll earn a small commission.

• Epicurean Cutting Boards: I always share these because they’re my favorite! They’re dishwasher safe and won’t dull your knives.
• Mandoline Slicer: this is the exact one that I have and I love it! It’s super sharp and the thickness is adjustable.
• Grilling Tongs: these are extra long so you won’t burn your hands.
• Tortilla Warmer: keep your tortillas nice and warm for longer using this warmer.
• Glass Mixing Bowls: use these to make prep work easy and organized.
• Citrus Juicer: this tool makes juicing lemons and limes a breeze!
• Glass Casserole: great for baking and for marinating.

Marinating the Chicken

You’ll want to start this recipe for grilled chicken tacos with the star ingredient – the chicken! I marinate it in a very simple and aromatic sauce made with spices, mayo and lemon juice. The marinade makes the chicken extra juicy and delicious!

1. Place the whole chicken thighs into a large bowl or casserole dish. Add the mayonnaise and squeeze in the fresh lemon juice.
2. Next, add all the seasonings: salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion, smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, and oregano. Use your hands to massage the marinade into the meat, until each piece is well coated.
3. Cover the casserole with plastic wrap and set into the refrigerator to marinate for at least 30 minutes. For best results, marinate for 4 hour or overnight.

Making the Cabbage Slaw

While the chicken is marinating, it’s the perfect time to make some simple cabbage slaw. This refreshing and crunchy salad makes for an excellent topping and really complements the chicken.

1. Cut each cabbage in half (you’ll need just half a cabbage if using both purple and green varieties). Cut away the fibrous core, then use a sharp knife or a manoline slicer to cut the cabbage very thinly. I set my slicer to 1/16^th-inch thickness.
2. Place the cut cabbage into a large mixing bowl. Add in the grated carrots and fresh cilantro. Squeeze in some fresh lime juice, add in a splash of oil, and season with salt and pepper.
3. Using large spoons, toss the cabbage slaw until all the ingredients are well combined. If you’re making the slaw ahead of time, keep the juice, oil and seasonings separate.

Easy, Homemade Guacamole

No tacos would be complete without guacamole! Creamy avocado goes so well with juicy grilled chicken! You can also use premade, store-bought guac for this recipe.

1. To make the guacamole, split each avocado, then scoop out the flesh into a large bowl. Squeeze in some lime juice, then add in the diced shallot, tomatoes, cilantro, mayo, salt, pepper, and avocado oil.
2. Use a large fork and mash the avocado until a chunky guacamole forms. Give the spread a mix with a spatula to ensure everything is well combined. Keep the guacamole covered with plastic wrap until ready to enjoy.

Grilling the Chicken Thighs

Once your chicken is marinated, it’s time to hit the grill! .

1. Preheat an outdoor grill to 600F for at least 10 minutes. You want the grill grates to be extra hot. Add the whole, marinated chicken thighs onto the hot grill. Close the lid and grill for about 5 minutes over medium flames.
2. When the chicken naturally releases from the grates, turn it over and continue grilling on the other side. Keep grilling the chicken with the grill cover closed, turning the meat every 3 to 4 minutes, until it reaches 165F.
3. The timing will depend on how big or small your chicken pieces are. Mine take about 13 to 15 minutes to cook. Remove the chicken from the grill onto a clean plate and rest for 5 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, place your tortillas on the hot grates and grill them on both sides, turning when they start to puff up. Keep them warm in a tortilla warmer or cover with a cloth dinner napkin.

How to Make Grilled Chicken Tacos

Once you have the chicken and tortillas grilled, the guacamole and cabbage slaw ready, it’s time to make some tacos!

1. Once the grilled chicken thigh has rested, use a sharp knife and slice the meat into small, bite-sized pieces that would fit well into a taco.
2. To assemble the tacos: spread a generous amount of guacamole onto each warm tortilla. Top with a spoonful of crumbled queso cheese, followed by some sliced chicken, and cabbage slaw.
3. Squeeze some fresh lime juice over each chicken taco, sprinkle with fresh cilantro and top with your favorite hot sauce. Enjoy!

More Recipes!

Enjoyed this delicious taco recipe? Make sure to check out some of my other recipes you’re sure to love!

• The Best Fish Tacos – these are amazing! Street-style tacos filled with crispy fried fish, guacamole, mango salsa and cheese. My favorite!
• Korean Beef Tacos – juicy and spicy Korean beef tacos with kimchi cabbage slaw, avocado, and a creamy pepper sauce. You’ll love this unique taco flavor!
• Pork Carnitas Tacos – delicious pulled pork tacos with creamy guacamole, sour cream, and a mango salsa. If you love pulled pork, you’ll love these!
• Cheesy Shrimp Quesadillas – my favorite recipe! These cheesy quesadillas are filled with jumbo shrimp, peppers and guacamole, served with salsa on the side.

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