Ground Chicken Tacos

Name: Ground Chicken Tacos
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 pound ground chicken; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon cumin; ½ teaspoon oregano; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; Tortillas; 1 large avocado; ½ lime (juiced); ½ teaspoon salt; 1 tablespoon cilantro (chopped); Salsa; Romaine lettuce (chopped)

This Ground Chicken Taco recipe combines simplicity with versatility. It's perfect for busy weeknights and made in just 25 minutes. The recipe features lean ground chicken seasoned with a homemade taco spice blend, fresh guacamole, and your favorite toppings!

Jump to Recipe

Ground chicken tacos topped with salsa and guacamole.

Taco night was big in my house growing up, it's probably why I love creating taco recipes. My mom used to put all the toppings in a glass taco serving tray and the whole family would build their own tacos on warm tortillas or hard taco shells. I was a hard-shell girl growing up! I now understand the why behind the idea of building your own- because yes it is fun for kids, but it's also EASY for moms!

Why You'll Love this Recipe

Easy recipe. This is one of those easy weeknight dinners you'll make again and again.
Versatile. Use all your favorite toppings and make it your own. Perfect for picky eaters or when you can't agree on what to eat!
Meal prep. Use the ground chicken taco meat on salads or in taco bowls throughout the week.

Ingredients

Lean ground chicken. You can also use ground beef or make ground turkey tacos.
Tortillas. My favorite tortillas are Maria and Ricardo's or any of Whole Foods' 365 brand. You can use soft corn tortillas or flour tortillas, just look for ones with minimal ingredients.

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Taco seasoning is a simple mix of pantry staples. I like to make extra seasoning and store it in a jar or plastic baggy to use for other recipes.

Smoked paprika
Chili powder
Garlic powder
Ground cumin
Oregano

Homemade Guacamole

Avocado. One large ripe avocado as the guacamole base.
Lime. Fresh lime juice adds a bright, tangy flavor and balances out the richness of the avocado. You can use lemon juice in a pinch!
Fresh cilantro. Cilantro rounds out the guacamole recipe by adding an earthy freshness.

See the recipe card below for the remaining ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions & Variations

Add cheese. If you like cheese on your tacos add a sharp cheddar cheese or cotija crumble.
Toppings. The meat mixture pairs well with any toppings you love on your tacos. You can try a pico de gallo instead of canned salsa, refried beans, pickled red onion or some added spice with jalapeños.
Different meats. Try this recipe out with pork or beef or try my Cilantro Chicken Thigh Tacos or Spicy Shrimp Tacos instead.

Instructions

Step 1

Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and brown while crumbling, about 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat, if necessary. Add the spices and tomato paste to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 2

Add the guacamole ingredients to a bowl, mash the avocado with a fork and mix everything together. Heat the tortillas over an open flame for 30 seconds per side. Alternatively, heat them in a lightly oiled pan.

Step 3

Assemble the tacos with lettuce, ground chicken mixture and your toppings. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

How long does it take to cook ground chicken?

Cooking ground chicken cooks in about 5-8 minutes on the stovetop. I like to cook it between 7-8 minutes to ensure it has reached a safe temperature.

Is ground chicken better than ground turkey for tacos?

The answer to this is really a preference. Ground chicken has a slightly milder taste than turkey as well as a higher fat content. If you prefer one over the other the recipe won't differ much.

Can I use store-bought taco seasoning?

Yes! You can buy a packet of store-bought taco mix if you prefer. The homemade seasoning uses pantry staples and is a great way to make a ready-to-go spice mix.

Can I make the ground chicken mixture ahead of time?

Yes, you can cook the ground chicken mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it on the stove or in the microwave before serving.

Sarah's Top Tips

Char the tortillas. Heating tortillas prevents them from cracking and my favorite method is charing them on the stovetop over an open flame!
Make extra taco seasoning. Make extra spice mix and store it in your spice drawer to use on other recipes.
Use fresh ingredients. The freshest ingredients shine in simple recipes like these chicken tacos.
Season generously. Season the ground chicken well with the spice blend for flavor-packed tacos.
Make it your own. Feel free to get creative with your tacos. Add beans, corn, or sautéed peppers to the ground chicken mixture. Try different salsas or hot sauces to find your favorite combination.

Serving

Ground chicken tacos are perfect for taco nights served with a fresh grapefruit margarita or smoky mezcal cocktail.

Use the spiced ground chicken in a variety of ways including in a lettuce wrap, taco bowls, burritos or over your favorite salad.

Storage & Reheating

Store all the taco ingredients separately.

Ground chicken should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat leftovers in the microwave or stovetop until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F

To freeze leftovers, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container and consume within 2-3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and reheat using the above methods.