Rotisserie Chicken Tacos
These 15-minute rotisserie chicken tacos are seasoned with smoky chipotle pepper, fresh garlic and a simple blend of spices. Top with chopped onions and cilantro for a street taco inspired meal, or serve them with your favorite taco toppings. They’re also great for weekly meal prep!
Why you’ll love these rotisserie chicken tacos
What started as a way for me to use up extra rotisserie chicken breast has now become my family’s favorite way to make chicken tacos.
Of course, you can use this recipe with any time of leftover or pre-cooked chicken, but grabbing a Costco chicken – or even the pre-pulled rotisserie chicken meat from the deli section, will save you so much time.
This recipe is also great for anyone who does meal prep. It makes a perfect lunch and reheats beautifully for dinner on a busy weeknight.
More chicken recipes you’ll like:
If you like this recipe, you have to try these other chicken taco recipes: honey chipotle chicken tacos / bbq chicken tacos / ground chicken taco recipe
You should also try these chicken recipes: cilantro lime chicken / panko crusted chicken / chicken bacon ranch pasta / chipotle chicken avocado melt
Ingredients:
Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions listed below are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.
- Chipotle peppers & adobo sauce – Chipotle peppers come packed in adobo sauce and are typically found in the international foods section of most grocery stores.
- Rotisserie chicken – Whether it’s leftover or you buy it just to make these tacos, rotisserie chicken saves so much time. It’s tender, flavorful, and already cooked, making it perfect for weeknight tacos.
- Lime juice – This little bit of acid creates the right balance of flavors between the spices and garlic. If you don’t have lime, you can swap lemon juice.
- Smoked paprika – I just prefer the extra smokiness it adds to the recipe, but you can substitute regular paprika.
The following is a detailed overview of the recipe steps with added tips and tricks for recipe success. For a simplified and printable version, including ingredient amounts and more formal instructions, see the recipe card below.
How to make these rotisserie chicken tacos
Sauté. Heat some olive oil in a large skillet. Then add the garlic and chipotle peppers and sauté until fragrant. Add the rest of the spices and the chicken to the pan and stir to coat the chicken in the seasoning.
Simmer. Add a little water and the lime juice. Then, let the chicken “simmer” in the pan. I know we aren’t actually simmering but you want to give the chicken time to soak in the flavor.
Serve. When the chicken is fully heated and the excess liquid has evaporated, remove your pan from the heat. You can serve these tacos anyway you want, but I recommend chopped onion and cilantro with an extra squeeze of lime.
More Mexican-inspired recipe ideas you might like. vegan queso / mexican street corn salad / southwest chicken stuffed peppers / refried bean dip
Ingredients
- 1 – 1.5 pounds rotisserie chicken meat pulled
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 chipotle peppers minced + 2 tablespoon adobo sauce
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1.5 tbsp lime juiced about 1.5 tablespoons
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet to medium-high. Add olive oil, garlic and chipotle peppers. Sauté until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
- Then, add spices and stir to incorporate.
- Next, add chicken and stir to coat with seasoning.
- Add water and lime juice and allow the chicken to simmer until the water has evaporated.
- Adjust seasoning with salt & pepper, to taste and serve with your favorite taco toppings.
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