Ground Chicken Tacos

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Taco night has been a weekly occurrence for me since I was a kid. So it's no wonder that I come up with various taco recipes on a regular basis. Today... Ground Chicken Tacos with the best taco meat ever. Pair this up with some guacamole and chipotle salsa.

A saucepan with cooked ground chicken, a side of salsa, guacamole and a plate with ground chicken tacos. A purple tumbler with a drink on the side.


 

Why I Love This Recipe

This Ground Chicken Taco meat has been on my meal prep list for the past few months, and every week it's always one of the first things in my fridge to be finished. The best part is that it couldn't be easier to make. All you've got to do is whip up the ground chicken taco meat, char some of your favorite tortillas and serve it up with a few kinds of cheese, my game-changing traditional arbol chile salsa and guacamole so everyone can DIY their perfect taco. Simple right? This is one of those meals that makes everyone happy, so it works great as a family meal or if you're cooking for picky eaters. No one is going to be disappointed. I love my Picadillo Tacos and the Chicken Tinga, but these are a lighter and quicker alternative for those weeknights. I also have ground beef taco recipe which comes in handy when you need something quick and delicious.

Ingredients & Substitutions

mise-en-place with all the ingredients required to make ground chicken tacos.

Substitutions

  • Swap out the ground chicken in these Ground Chicken Tacos for ground beef or turkey if you'd like.
  • While I've been making this recipe and using it in tacos for the past few months, you could also make this ground chicken mixture, ditch the taco fixings, and use it as needed. The same goes with any leftovers you might have from your DIY taco night. You could put it into a rice/quinoa taco bowl. Use it in this southwestern lasagna. Throw it on top of your taco salad. Make chicken flautas. Skies the limit.

Ingredients

  • Ground Chicken – You can also substitute this for ground beef or turkey.
  • Taco Seasoning – The key to making the most flavorful taco meat is my taco seasoning. I use it on just about EVERYTHING, roasting vegetables, seasoning refried beans, chili, you name it! However, it is especially delicious in these chicken tacos. This homemade spice mix uses spices we all probably have on hand and can be whipped up in under a few minutes.
  • Tortillas – I'm obsessed with Vista Hermosa flour tortillas! I found them at Erewhon. 
  • Shredded Cheese – I like using a mix of freshly shredded cheddar and freshly shredded Monterey jack. 
  • Salsa – Use your favorite: red, green, mild, medium, or hot.
  • Avocado or Guacamole – Ground Chicken Tacos would not be complete without a little guac.

*For a full list of ingredients and instructions please see recipe card below

How to Make Ground Chicken Tacos

A skillet with raw ground chicken.

Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground meat.

A skillet with sautéed ground chicken

Step 2: Sauté the ground meat for 5 minutes and break it up with the back of a wooden spoon.

A skillet with sautéed ground chicken with taco seasoning sprinkled on top

Step 3: Add all the taco seasoning and stir to combine.

A skillet with sautéed and seasoned ground chicken

Step 4: Continue to cook the ground meat until it's fully cooked and no pink remains. Once cooked, add 2 tablespoons of water and reduce to a simmer. Let simmer for 10 minutes.

A closeup shot of ground chicken in a saucepan with a side of salsa. In the corner, a plate with ground chicken tacos.

How to Store Ground Chicken

Store any leftovers in airtight containers or wrapped tightly. Ground chicken should be refrigerated promptly and can be eaten for 3-4 days. Properly re-heat the leftovers to ensure safe temperature is reached(165F).

How to Freeze Ground Chicken

This is also a great recipe to have in your freezer when you do not have time to cook. As with refrigeration, store in a proper container and reheat to a safe temperature when eating. To thaw frozen chicken, the easiest way is to leave in the fridge for a day. I would recommend not freezing for longer than 2-3 months!

Tips & Tricks

  • Once the ground chicken is cooked, add 2 tablespoons of water and reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes. This step helps deglaze the pan and add moisture back into the the ground meat mixture.

FAQs

Can you use ground chicken instead of beef?

Absolutely, ground chicken, ground turkey, and ground beef are all interchangeable.

Is taco seasoning different for ground beef vs ground chicken?

Taco seasoning is a blend of spices commonly used to flavor Mexican-style dishes, including tacos made with different types of meat like ground beef or ground chicken.

The basic ingredients in taco seasoning usually include:
Chili powder
Ground cumin
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Paprika (smoked or regular)
Oregano (often Mexican oregano)
Salt
Pepper
Cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for heat (optional)

The same taco seasoning blend can generally be used for both ground beef and ground chicken. You can use my taco seasoning!!

How long does it take to cook ground chicken?

Typically it takes about 5-7 min but that all depends on how hot the pan is, how broken up the ground chicken is, and how hot the stove top is.
As with any poultry, proper handling and cooking to the recommended temperature are essential for food safety.

Similar Recipes

If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today

Ground Chicken Tacos

Author: Gaby Dalkin
5 from 28 votes
My most favorite quick and easy weeknight meal when I have no more than 15 minutes to get dinner on the table!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican, Tex Mex, Southwestern
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2-3 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1 pound ground chicken or ground turkey
  • 1 tablespoons olive oil

For serving

  • Tortillas
  • Freshly shredded cheddar
  • Freshly shredded Monterey jack
  • Salsa
  • Avocado
  • And any other taco fixins you prefer.

Instructions
 

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add the ground meat and sauté for 5 minutes and break it up with the back of a wooden spoon. Add all the taco seasoning and stir to combine. Continue to cook the ground meat and break it down with the back of a wooden spoon until it's fully cooked and no pink remains.
  • Once cooked, add 2 tablespoons of water and reduce to a simmer. Let simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Serve as taco meat with tortillas, shredded cheese, salsa, and any other taco fixings you prefer.

Notes

  • Swap ground chicken for ground turkey or ground beef if you'd like.
  • Once the ground chicken is cooked, add 2 tablespoons of water and reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes. This step helps deglaze the pan and add moisture back into the the ground meat mixture.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 569kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 1017mg | Potassium: 990mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 328IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 154mg | Iron: 5mg
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54 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I have made this recipe several times and it's always a hit. I even served it on a taco bar for my women's group and didn't tell them it was chicken and they all thought it was ground beef!! THe spices are right on.

  2. 5 stars
    "And while I’ve been making this recipe and using it in tacos for the past few months, you could also make this ground chicken mixture, ditch the taco fixings, and use it as needed. You could put it into a rice/quinoa taco bowl. Use it in this southwestern lasagna. Throw it on top of your taco salad. Skies the limit. It’s all about the taco seasoning and trust me, you guys are going to want to make this on a weekly basis."

    These are all great ideas for roll over meals.

  3. Do I use the entire recipe of taco seasoning mix to 1 pound of ground chicken? I saw comments on the taco seasoning recipe post that said the recipe was good for 2 pounds of chicken/turkey? I am only making one pound of ground chicken, how much seasoning mix do I use for 1 pound? Also, will 2 TBS of water be enough liquid? Most packaged taco seasoning mixes call for much more. I don't want the tacos to be dry. My son is on a strict diet and I am trying to assure him that eating "healthy" can still taste delicious. Thank you!

    1. I would use 2-3 tablespoons per pound of ground meat and 2 tablespoons of water! You can add more if you prefer

  4. 5 stars
    This was absolutely delicious!
    My son, his friend, and I devoured these tacos right up! I had a little meat left so I used it to make a chicken quesadilla the next morning. Absolutely delicious!
    This recipe is a keeper!

  5. 5 stars
    Made these Tacos tonight with chicken and topped with the corn, poblano, avocado salad basically as a salsa. The taco meat seasoning is really flavorful. Will keep this in the regular rotation! And, omg the corn, avocado salad is a summer must.

  6. 5 stars
    We loved it. We made the tacos with ground turkey. I cut the salt in half due to diet restrictions but that did not hurt the outcome at all.

  7. These were possibly the BEST ground chicken nachos I've ever made!!! Thanks, Gaby! The spice mix was perfect!

  8. How much seasoning? I wanted to use your taco senorita seasoning instead of making the homemade one!

4.97 from 28 votes (17 ratings without comment)

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