Chipotle Lime Chicken Tacos

Adobo-marinated grilled chicken with slaw and lime crema

• Prep: 25 min
• Cook: 18 min
• Serves 8
• Difficulty: medium

Chicken thighs marinate in chipotle-lime adobo, grill until charred, and serve in corn tortillas with cabbage slaw and crema.

Why crews like it: Smoky heat with bright lime balance. Taco assembly keeps dinner interactive and fast.

Ingredients

• 4 lb boneless chicken thighs
• 4 whole chipotle peppers in adobo
• 3 tbsp adobo sauce
• 0.33 cup lime juice
• 6 cloves garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 head green cabbage
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 24 whole corn tortillas
• 1 cup fresh cilantro
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1.5 tsp kosher salt

Instructions

1. Marinate chicken: Blend chipotle, adobo, lime juice, garlic, cumin, oil, and salt. Coat thighs, marinate at least 2 hours so flavors penetrate deep into meat.
2. Prep slaw and crema: Toss cabbage with 2 tbsp lime juice and pinch of salt until lightly wilted but crunchy. Mix yogurt with remaining lime for crema.
3. Grill chicken: Grill or sear thighs over medium-high 6–7 minutes per side until charred edges form and internal temp reaches 165°F throughout.
4. Rest and slice: Rest chicken 5 minutes, slice against grain into strips. Meat should be moist with visible smoke char, not dry or stringy.
5. Assemble tacos: Fill warm tortillas with chicken, slaw, crema, and cilantro. Each taco should hold together when picked up without filling falling out.

Tonight's spread

• Black beans with cumin.
• Mexican rice in a baking dish.

Hall tips

• Double-stack tortillas for crews eating one-handed between tasks.
• Offer pickled red onion for extra tang without more prep.
• Reduce chipotle count for mild shift—start with 2 peppers.

Meal prep

Marinate 2–24 hours. Warm tortillas in foil before service. Station: Grill or sear chicken for char—oven alone misses smoky taco-shop vibe. Station: Keep slaw chilled until assembly so tacos stay crisp. Station: Taco bar: chicken, slaw, crema, pico, cilantro, lime.

Leftovers

• Chicken over rice bowl with slaw and crema.
• Quesadillas with leftover chicken and cheese.

• Grill or cast iron skillet
• Mixing bowls

Related recipes

• Lemon Garlic Chicken Tray
• Chicken Fajitas
• Honey Garlic Chicken Bowls
• White Bean Chicken Chili
• Fish Tacos
• Barbacoa Chicken

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