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.
Table of Contents
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
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
Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground meat.
Step 2: Sauté the ground meat for 5 minutes and break it up with the back of a wooden spoon.
Step 3: Add all the taco seasoning and stir to combine.
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.
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
Equipment
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.
Hi, just so you know, the recipe card doesn't show what goes into the taco seasoning, it only links out to the Dalkin taco seasoning? At least that's how it appears for me. FYI
This ground chicken recipe with Gaby’s taco seasoning over a salad with Side Dish Chipotle Ranch dressing was absolutely delicious- easy weeknight (or any time!) meal
I can’t find the taco seasoning recipe/measurements ? I’ve scrolled all the way down. Help!
Can you please reply or add AMOUNTS of each seasoning. Thank you !!
if you scroll down to the recipe box, they are all there 🙂
You can look up her taco seasoning recipe online and get the exact measurements. 🙂
Where do I find how much if each spice to make the seasoning, I see the ingredients but not the measurements?
keep scrolling to the recipe card at the bottom!
My family loves their beef but we’ve had to cut it out. I was worried they wouldn’t like the ground chicken but these are so good. Easy , easy to make. Make the taco seasoning recipe for sure then cook it up! Thanks for another great recipe with ground chicken!!
Thoughts on prepping this ahead for a large group? Do you think the flavors will hold up if I cook the chicken the night before and then reheat prior to serving? Woudl you recommend reheating in the oven? '
Thoughts on making a big batch, freezing it, and reheating in the over after it thaws?
Thank you!
TOTALLY works - just add a bit of chicken stock when you re-heat it to add some moisture
Are those flour tortillas? How do you usually char them ... in a frying pan? Over gas stove flame? (I don't have a grill.)
Am so looking forward to trying these recipes thank you for your sharing of your talents
Fantastic recipe! The flavors were excellent. Took no time to put together. This will now become my go to seasoning mix for any tacos. Thanks!