It’s Taco Tuesday! Let’s nosh on some Smashed Chipotle Chicken Tacos while we laugh about my uber-professional food photography studio. It comes fully equipped with its own ‘man in slippers’ and the ever-fashionable faux stool made to look like a broken dining room chair. The ‘casual clutter’ option is extra, but regrettably does not include a maid.
Why are they smashed tacos? Simpy put, I prefer nachos 🙂 But, the Recipe Redux theme is Taco Tuesdays, and so I oblige, sort of. Not to fear, though. Even if you like your tacos whole and hand-held, or in veggie-rich salad form, this recipe for Chipotle Chicken Tacos will get you there. It’s the kickiest, most flavorful chicken ever. And I mean, like, ever.
What is a chipotle pepper, anyway?
A chipotle pepper is a smoke-dried jalapeno pepper. Often they are packed in adobo sauce, which is a spicy tomato sauce with paprika and other spices. They are used frequently in Tex-Mex and Southwestern recipes. This recipe uses just the adobo sauce from a small can of chipotle peppers. (save the peppers to chop and put in your chili this weekend!)
Smashed Chipotle Chicken Tacos – recipe notes:
- The only real cooking involves marinating and cooking the chicken. Otherwise, this is all prep and assembly.
- Save the canned chilis you took from the adobo sauce by chopping them and freezing in small amounts (an ice cube tray works great). Add a cube of these spicy babies to your next chili or Southwestern themed soup for a nice kick!
- Marinate the chicken for as little as 2 hours. Much of the sauce stays with the chicken, so the flavor is significant.
- I grilled the chicken using the George Foreman grill, for a total of 6 minutes. Adjust time as needed for your indoor or outdoor grill. You can also bake in oven, in a pan covered with foil, at 350 for about 25 minutes.
- Prep all but the avocado as far in advance as you like. Just chop the avocado while the chicken is cooking; squeeze with lime juice to keep it from browning.
Smashed Chipotle Chicken Tacos
Even if you like your tacos whole and hand-held, or in veggie-rich salad form, this recipe for Chipotle Chicken Tacos will get you in the mood for some kickin' chicken. Ole!
Ingredients
Chipotle Chicken
- 7 ounce chipotle peppers in adobo sauce sauce only
- 1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder halve this for less heat
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 1.5 pounds boneless chicken breasts trimmed and pounded to 1/2 inch thickness
Toppings
- Your favorite tortilla chips
- Shredded cheese
- Avocado
- Diced red onion
- Diced tomato
- Lime wedges
- Plain yogurt
Instructions
Preparing the marinade
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Mix together the adobo sauce, chili powder, salt, cumin, oregano, onion powder, minced garlic, and oil. Add marinade and chicken to a sealable plastic bag and shake well to fully coat chicken. Place bag in small bowl, and set in refrigerator to marinate for 2 hours or more.
Grilling the chicken
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Preheat your indoor or outdoor grill and prepare with spray oil. Remove the chicken from the bag, shaking off excess marinade. Grill chicken 3-4 minutes per side, or until no longer pink inside. Slice chicken on the diagonal, or shred if desired. Set aside.
Assemble your 'smashed' tacos
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Layer tortilla chips and shredded cheese on a microwavable plate until cheese melts (20-30 seconds). Top with chicken, tomatoes, onion, and avocado. Finish with a dollop of yogurt and a squeeze of lime juice.
Smashed Chipotle Chicken Tacos for the win!
This post is inspired by The Recipe Redux.
Be sure to check out the many varied taco ideas from my talented foodie cohorts below!
This recipe looks amazing! I love easy recipes, thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Autumn! With 3 kids, easy is always my fave ingredient 🙂