Get ready to experience a taco explosion in your mouth, y’all! These Smoky Chipotle BBQ Chicken Tacos are about to take your taste buds on a wild ride. With tender, juicy chicken smothered in an epic chipotle-infused BBQ sauce, these tacos are a guaranteed flavor PARTY. Topped with crunchy slaw and a creamy avocado crema, this dish is the ultimate taco night showstopper that’s sure to leave you begging for more.
Why You’ll Love This Smoky Chipotle BBQ Chicken Tacos
These Smoky Chipotle BBQ Chicken Tacos are the ultimate mouthwatering, crowd-pleasing meal that’s sure to have your taste buds doing a happy dance. The combination of the smoky, spicy BBQ chicken, the tangy slaw, and the cool, creamy avocado crema creates a flavor explosion in every bite. Plus, they’re super easy to make, so you can whip up this epic taco fiesta any night of the week. Get ready to elevate your taco game and become the ultimate taco hero in your household!
Ingredients
Get ready to stock up on all the flavor superstars for this recipe! You’ll need boneless, skinless chicken thighs, chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, BBQ sauce, garlic, onion, spices, shredded cabbage, carrots, lime, avocado, Greek yogurt, and a few other simple ingredients. With this lineup of bold, tasty components, you’re about to create a taco masterpiece!
- 1 1/2 lbs – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp – Chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
- 1 cup – BBQ sauce
- 3 cloves – Garlic, minced
- 1 medium – Onion, diced
Ingredient Substitutions
- Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (for a leaner option)
- Shredded Cabbage + Carrots: Pre-shredded coleslaw mix (for convenience)
How to Make Smoky Chipotle BBQ Chicken Tacos
Let’s get started on creating this epic taco masterpiece, shall we?
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and preparing the chicken. Season the thighs with a mix of chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Then, sear them in a hot skillet to get that delicious caramelized crust. While the chicken is cooking, whip up the epic chipotle BBQ sauce by blending together the adobo sauce, BBQ sauce, garlic, and a few other flavor boosters.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Once the chicken is seared, transfer it to a baking dish, smother it in the smoky, spicy BBQ sauce, and let it bake for 25-30 minutes, until it’s fall-apart tender. This is where the magic really happens, folks – the chicken soaks up all those bold, mouthwatering flavors.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
While the chicken is baking, prepare the crunchy slaw by tossing together shredded cabbage, carrots, lime juice, and a touch of olive oil. For the creamy avocado crema, simply blend together avocado, Greek yogurt, garlic, and seasonings until smooth. When the chicken is done, shred it into bite-sized pieces and start building your tacos. Layer the chicken, slaw, and avocado crema into warm tortillas, and get ready to experience taco nirvana.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Cheese It Up!: Add some crumbled queso fresco or shredded cheddar for an extra cheesy taco fiesta.
- Spice It Up!: Top the tacos with diced onions, fresh cilantro, and a sprinkle of chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce for a flavor EXPLOSION.
- Protein Swap: Switch up the protein and use shredded pork or beef instead of chicken for a new twist on these epic tacos.
- Toppings Galore: Customize your tacos with all the fixings – diced tomatoes, sliced radishes, crumbled cotija cheese, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: lime wedges, extra BBQ sauce, and all the toppings for a truly sensational taco bar experience.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, and the shredded chicken freezes beautifully for future taco night cravings.
Reheat: To reheat, simply warm the chicken in a skillet or the microwave until heated through.
Make-Ahead: You can prepare the chipotle BBQ sauce and avocado crema up to 5 days and 2 days in advance, respectively. Then, simply assemble the tacos when you’re ready to serve.
Nutrition Information
These Smoky Chipotle BBQ Chicken Tacos are not only incredibly delicious, but they’re also packed with wholesome, nutrient-dense ingredients. Each serving provides a balance of lean protein, complex carbs, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals. Indulge in this epic taco fiesta without any guilt!
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Protein: 32 g
- Carbs: 43 g
- Fat: 22 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to shred the chicken?
For the most tender, shredded chicken, use two forks to gently pull the meat apart once it’s cooked. You can also use a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment to shred the chicken with ease.
Can I make the BBQ sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely! The chipotle BBQ sauce can be made up to 5 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. This allows the flavors to meld together for an even more epic taco experience.
How can I make these tacos extra spicy?
If you’re a spice lover, feel free to add extra chopped chipotle chiles or a dash of hot sauce to the BBQ sauce. You can also top the tacos with sliced jalapeños or serrano peppers for an extra fiery kick.
Can I use this BBQ chicken for other dishes?
Absolutely! The smoky, chipotle-infused BBQ chicken is incredibly versatile. Serve it over rice or quinoa, use it to stuff baked potatoes, or even pile it high on sandwich buns for a delicious BBQ chicken sandwich.
How do I make the avocado crema ahead of time?
The avocado crema can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Just give it a quick stir before using to recombine the ingredients.
Try These Next
- Smoky Chipotle Chicken And Quinoa Bake
- Smoky Chipotle Chicken Enchiladas
- Smoky Bbq Beef Brisket Sliders
Smoky Chipotle BBQ Chicken Tacos
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Mains
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
These Smoky Chipotle BBQ Chicken Tacos are a delicious blend of smoky flavors and spicy chipotle, perfect for any taco night.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/2 cup smoky chipotle BBQ sauce
8 small corn tortillas
1 cup shredded cabbage
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. In a bowl, toss the chicken thighs with the BBQ sauce until well coated.
3. Place the chicken on the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until fully cooked.
4. Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes.
5. Slice the chicken into strips.
6. Warm the corn tortillas on the grill for about 30 seconds on each side.
7. Assemble the tacos by placing chicken, cabbage, tomatoes, and cilantro on each tortilla.
8. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the BBQ sauce for a few hours before grilling.
Feel free to add avocado or cheese as toppings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: tacos, chicken, BBQ, chipotle