Description
Chicken Tacos with Pineapple Salsa are a fresh and flavorful take on classic tacos, combining juicy marinated chicken with a sweet and zesty homemade salsa. The balance of savory spices, citrusy lime, and naturally sweet pineapple makes this dish both vibrant and satisfying. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, these tacos come together quickly while delivering bold, restaurant-quality flavor at home.
Ingredients
Chicken Tacos
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 tablespoons lime juice plus zest of 1 lime
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ¾ teaspoon paprika, sweet or smoked
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 8 small flour or corn tortillas
Pineapple Salsa
- 1 cup diced fresh pineapple
- 1 cup diced tomato
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- 1 teaspoon minced jalapeño
- 1 tablespoon lime juice plus zest of 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
Slice chicken breasts horizontally and flatten to an even thickness
• Place chicken in a large resealable bag
• Whisk together lime zest, lime juice, honey, spices, and 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Pour marinade over chicken, seal, and refrigerate for 20 to 60 minutes
• In a bowl, mix pineapple, tomato, red onion, jalapeño, lime zest, lime juice, and cilantro
• Cover salsa and refrigerate until ready to serve
• Heat a skillet over medium heat and add remaining olive oil
• Cook chicken until golden on both sides and internal temperature reaches 165°F
• Let chicken rest, then dice, slice, or shred
• Warm tortillas in a pan until lightly toasted
• Fill tortillas with chicken and pineapple salsa and serve
Notes
Serve the chicken tacos immediately while the tortillas are warm and the chicken is juicy. Set up a taco bar with extra toppings like sliced avocado, shredded lettuce, sour cream, or crumbled queso fresco so everyone can customize their tacos. These tacos pair well with Mexican rice, cilantro lime rice, black beans, or a simple corn salad.
For storage, keep the cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Store the pineapple salsa separately and enjoy it within 24 hours for the best texture and flavor. Reheat the chicken gently in a skillet or microwave before assembling the tacos. Tortillas are best warmed fresh just before serving.