Pineapple Chicken Tacos (Printable)
Tender spiced chicken with fresh pineapple salsa in warm tortillas
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken & Marinade
01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
04 - 1 clove garlic, minced
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
07 - ½ tsp chili powder
08 - ½ tsp salt
09 - ¼ tsp black pepper
→ Pineapple Salsa
10 - 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
11 - ½ small red onion, finely chopped
12 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced
13 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
14 - 2 tbsp lime juice
15 - Pinch of salt
→ To Serve
16 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
17 - 1 avocado, sliced
18 - Extra cilantro leaves (optional)
19 - Lime wedges
# How To Cook:
01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat thoroughly. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes while preparing the salsa.
02 - Combine diced pineapple, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt in a mixing bowl. Stir gently to incorporate all flavors. Set aside at room temperature to allow flavors to meld.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken in a single layer and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and develops a light golden-brown exterior.
04 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side until pliable and lightly toasted, or microwave wrapped in damp paper towels for 20 to 30 seconds.
05 - Place cooked chicken onto each warmed tortilla. Top generously with pineapple salsa, arrange avocado slices over the top, and garnish with additional cilantro leaves if desired. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The natural sweetness from pineapple balances the smoky spices perfectly, creating that addictive sweet and savory combination everyone craves
- Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, making it ideal for those weeknights when you want something special but dont have hours to spend cooking
02 -
- Dont skip the resting time for the salsa, even 10 minutes makes a huge difference in how the flavors come together
- Crowding the pan when cooking the chicken will steam it instead of searing it, so work in batches if your skillet is small
- Warm tortillas are essential, cold tortillas will crack and break when you try to fold them
03 -
- Pat the chicken dry before adding it to the marinade, this helps the spices adhere better and promotes proper searing
- If your pineapple isnt quite ripe enough, a touch of honey or agave in the salsa helps balance the acidity
- Char the pineapple pieces in a dry skillet before adding them to the salsa for an even deeper, smokier flavor