Chicken Tacos With Pineapple Salsa

Combine the bold flavors of Mexico with the sweetness of pineapple in this twist on traditional tacos. Marinated chicken breasts, grilled to perfection, are served in a crispy taco shell and topped with a refreshing pineapple salsa, making for a delightful and flavorful dish that’s sure to become a favorite.

Ready Time

30 mins

Yields

4 servings

Ingredients

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup lime juice
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste
8 tacos shells
1 ripe pineapple, diced
1/2 red onion, diced
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 slices of lime, for serving
Shredded cheese, for serving (optional)
Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. In a large bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using).

Add the chicken to the marinade and mix well to coat.

Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator. Once the grill is hot, remove the chicken from the marinade and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through.

Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing it thinly.

Meanwhile, prepare the pineapple salsa. In a medium bowl, combine the diced pineapple, red onion, jalapeño pepper, and chopped cilantro.

Squeeze a slice of lime juice over the top and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Warm the tacos shells according to package instructions. Assemble the tacos by slicing the cooked chicken into small pieces and placing them onto a warmed tacos shell.

Top with a spoonful of the pineapple salsa and a sprinkle of shredded cheese (if using).

Serve immediately, garnished with a sprinkle of cilantro and a slice of lime on the side.

Notes

For marinating the chicken, 30 minutes is the minimum, but go for 2 hours if you can, the flavor will be so much better! Make sure to let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing, it makes a huge difference in the juiciness. If you’re not a fan of spicy food, skip the cayenne pepper or reduce the amount to your taste.

Also, don’t overdo it with the jalapeño in the salsa, it can get really spicy! Use a ripe pineapple for the salsa, it will make a huge difference in the sweetness and freshness of the flavor.

And don’t skip the lime juice, it brings everything together! You can customize your tacos with your favorite toppings, like diced avocado, sour cream, or diced tomatoes. Feel free to get creative! These tacos are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun weekend lunch.

You can also prep the salsa and marinate the chicken ahead of time to make it even quicker.