Marinated grilled chicken which gets nicely charred makes these grilled chicken street tacos a tasty and healthy option if you are craving some street tacos.

I never miss an opportunity for some good Mexican food - from a chicken enchilada skillet to vegetarian burrito bowls to chicken mole enchiladas.
But who doesn't love a good taco. The star here is the chicken taco marinade that gives a ton of flavor and allows the chicken to char, whether you're using a grill or skillet.
With the addition of olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, garlic and some spices, you get a delicious chicken that's great for street tacos, burritos, burrito bowls or salads.
The grilled chicken is so tasty and versatile, I recommend even making more than the recipe below as you can store them in the freezer and use when ready.
Why This Recipe Works
- Flavorful and juicy - The marinade infuses the chicken with zesty citrus and bold spices, ensuring every bite is bursting with delicious flavors.
- Quick and easy - With minimal preparation and quick grilling time, these tacos are perfect for a speedy yet satisfying meal.
- Customizable - You can easily tailor the tacos to your taste with a variety of toppings and salsas, catering to both mild and spicy preferences.
- Perfect for any occasion - Whether it’s a casual weeknight dinner or a fun gathering with friends, these tacos are always a hit and can be enjoyed by everyone.
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Ingredients Notes
- Chicken - Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are ideal for their juiciness and flavor.
- Olive oil - Helps in grilling and to keep the chicken moist.
- Juice - Fresh orange and lime juice helps tenderize the chicken and adds flavor.
- Garlic - Adds aromatics and flavor.
- Spices - Chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt and black pepper are the main source of flavor.
- Tortillas - Corn tortillas are traditional, providing an authentic taste and texture.
- Toppings - Options like cilantro, cheese, avocado and pico de gallo are all great.
Ingredient Swaps
As with any recipe, you can mix up the ingredients. Some variations include:
- I'm partial to chicken thighs, but chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken works.
- I like to make my own pico de gallo, but you can easily just use store-bought. You can also use something like a corn mango salsa.
- I like the flavor of the corn tortillas, but you can use flour tortillas as well. You could even make your own blue corn tortillas.
Step-by-Step Photos
Please note full ingredient list and instructions can be found in recipe card below.
Combine the chicken with all of the marinade ingredients in a ziploc bag or bowl and marinate in the fridge for 1 to 6 hours.
Once ready, preheat a grill to medium-high heat (about 425°F - 450°F). Add the chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, until charred and done.
While chicken is resting, place tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds per side to get them charred. If making the pico de gallo, prepare at this point.
Once everything is ready, dice the chicken and prepare your tacos.
FAQs
Mexican street tacos are smaller tacos, that are usually served on corn tortillas. They are small it size which makes it easy for a "street traveler" to have a quick meal.
You can bake the chicken instead of grilling although you won't get the nice char marks that add to the flavor. Bake at 425ºF for 30 minutes on a sheet pan.
Since this cooks so fast, you'll know the chicken is done when it is no longer pink. If you have a thermometer it should be at 165°F.
If you're simply making tacos, corn tortillas are usually the way to go as it helps bolster the overall flavor. In fact, if you are eating tacos in Mexico, you probably won't even have an option of corn or flour tortillas.
However, you can use any type.
Leftovers will last in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the fridge or 3 months in a freezer.
Street Taco Topping Ideas
- Pico de gallo or tomatoes and onion
- Shredded lettuce
- Avocado or guacamole
- Salsa
- Cheese
- Sour cream
- Sliced radishes
Side Dish Options
Tacos are great on their own but you can also add a side or additional toppings. Some options include:
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Use chicken thighs: Yes I know thighs get a bad rap some time, but they have better flavor, get charred better and remain juicy even if you overcook.
- Be patient when it comes to the marinade: You want to marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour, but I recommend trying to marinate for the full 6 hours so the chicken can absorb the flavor.
- Hot grill: There is nothing worse than preparing chicken and then placing it on the grill and you don't hear a sizzle. You want the grill hot so you can get that nice char. It needs to be at least 425°F.
- Let chicken rest: Yes even chicken should rest for a few minutes before you dice it up. If you chop into it immediately, the chicken will lose some of its juice.
Other Taco Recipes
If you’ve tried these grilled chicken street tacos or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! For something different, you could also try these rolled chicken tacos. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.
Grilled Chicken Street Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs skinless, boneless chicken thighs
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoon orange juice
- 2 tablespoon lime juice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 avocado, cored and diced
- 12 corn or flour tortillas, warmed
- queso fresco or favorite cheese (optional)
Pico de Gallo
- 1 cup tomato, finely chopped
- 1 cup white onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 jalapeño, seeds removed and chopped
- 1 lime, juiced
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- In large bowl or ziploc bag, add chicken, olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, and spices. Rub marinade all over chicken and place in fridge for at least 1 hour or up to 6 hours.
- Remove chicken from marinade and discard marinade. Preheat grill to 425-450°F or a pan to medium-high heat. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side.
- Transfer chicken to plate and cover with foil, letting rest for 5 minutes. Dice chicken into cubes.
- Grill some tortillas for about 30 seconds per side until charred and set aside.
- While chicken is resting, combine the chopped tomato, onion, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice and sea salt in a bowl and set aside.
- Serve chicken on warm tortillas with diced avocado, pico de gallo, and some cheese if desired.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs: Yes I know thighs get a bad rap some time, but they have better flavor, get charred better and remain juicy even if you overcook.
- Be patient when it comes to the marinade: You want to marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour, but I recommend trying to marinate for the full 6 hours so the chicken can absorb the flavor.
- Hot grill: There is nothing worse than preparing chicken and then placing it on the grill and you don't hear a sizzle. You want the grill hot so you can get that nice char. It needs to be at least 425°F.
- Let chicken rest: Yes even chicken should rest for a few minutes before you dice it up. If you chop into it immediately, the chicken will lose some of its juice.
Chris says
Love tacos!
Katelyn Greeno says
These were absolutely delicious. Can't do taco nights any other way now!
Ryan says
Just had the other night myself. Glad you enjoyed it!
Jody says
We made them exactly how the recipe is written. It’s the only way to give an honest review. We love them. Very simple and great flavor. The chicken is tender.
Thanks for a great recipe.
Jody
Ryan says
Glad you enjoyed them!
Ryan says
Super tasty!
Mike g says
Hey ryan, question do you recommend marinating over night or should I marinate the day of, I have yet the make them I prepared the marinade just now but I'm wondering if I should go ahead and let em set over night or just put the marinade on them tomorrow when I actually grill
Ryan says
Because of the acid of the the juice, I wouldn't recommend marinating too long as it starts to "cook" the chicken. About 4 hours for this recipe is the perfect amount.