How do I prevent dry chicken taco meat?

Avoid going too lean with your meat. I love using 93% lean and cooking the meat on medium-low to avoid it cooking too quickly and drying out!

How do I store leftovers?

Store any leftover ground chicken taco meat in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Store toppings and tortillas in other separate containers, and assemble once ready to eat leftovers.

Can I freeze this taco meat?

Yes! Make this a freezer meal by fully preparing the chicken taco meat, allowing it to cool, then store in the freezer in an airtight container for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop for a low effort dinner.

Easy Ground Chicken Tacos for Busy Weeknights

Name: Quick and Easy Ground Chicken Tacos (Ready in 15 Minutes!)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/2 onion, diced small; 1 pound ground chicken (93% lean recommended); 1 tablespoon taco seasoning; 1/2 cup thick salsa; 1 14-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed; 6-8 corn tortillas; Salt and pepper, to taste; Toppings: diced onions, fresh cilantro, avocado, cheese (feta, cotija, Jack, etc.), lime, sour cream, diced tomato, shredded lettuce

Description

These easy ground chicken tacos are a quick, flavorful, and protein-packed meal perfect for busy weeknights. Made with seasoned ground chicken, salsa, and classic taco spices, they come together in just 15 minutes! Serve them in your favorite tortillas with all the toppings for a fresh and delicious taco night.

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 onion, diced small
1 pound ground chicken (93% lean recommended)
1 tablespoon taco seasoning
1/2 cup thick salsa
1 14-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
6-8 corn tortillas
Salt and pepper, to taste
Toppings: diced onions, fresh cilantro, avocado, cheese (feta, cotija, Jack, etc.), lime, sour cream, diced tomato, shredded lettuce

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Instructions

Brown onion and chicken. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes to soften, then add ground chicken and taco seasoning. Reduce heat to medium-low, and break up the chicken with a wooden spoon or spatula as you sauté for another 3-4 minutes, until chicken is almost completely cooked through.
Add salsa and beans. When chicken is almost completely cook through, add the salsa and work it into the chicken as you sauté. When chicken is cooked through, add black beans and stir. Allow the taco meat to simmer on low for 2-3 more minutes, until everything is fully heated through. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed.
Assemble and serve. While chicken finishes simmering, lightly pan fry corn tortillas in a bit of olive oil in a separate pan, or microwave them for a few seconds to help soften. Spoon hot taco meat into tortillas, and top with all the toppings! We're obsessed with onions, cilantro, feta, and lime.

Notes

Meal prep. To meal prep, make this taco meat as instructed, but don't assemble any tacos. Store the fully cooked and cooled taco meat in the fridge in an airtight container, and reheat portions as needed throughout the week. You can also freeze the prepared meat for up to 3 months.
Substitutions. Use ground turkey instead of ground chicken, if desired! If your taco seasoning does not have salt, add in 1/2 teaspoon with taco seasoning in Step 1.
Leftovers. If you're a family or person that doesn't love eating the same exact thing too many times in a row, use up leftovers in burrito bowls, burritos, or nachos!

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Mexican-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 tacos, without toppings
Calories: 395
Sugar: 1.9 g
Sodium: 552.8 mg
Fat: 14.2 g
Carbohydrates: 40.4 g
Fiber: 10.5 g
Protein: 28.5 g
Cholesterol: 96.3 mg