Honey Garlic Chicken Tacos

These Honey Garlic Chicken Tacos are perfect for a gathering or a cozy weeknight dinner. With tender chicken coated in a sweet and savory sauce, these tacos are easy to make and delightfully delicious. This recipe is a hit with families, beginners, and anyone looking for a quick yet satisfying meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll adore this recipe for its simplicity and flavor. It’s great for families, beginners, and anyone who enjoys a tasty meal without spending hours in the kitchen. The combination of honey and garlic creates a wonderful balance that appeals to both kids and adults alike. Plus, the fresh slaw adds crunch and brightness, making each bite a delight.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up these tasty tacos:

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons water
• 4 cups thinly shredded cabbage
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil
• Juice and zest of 1 medium lime
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 12 fajita size flour tortillas
• Chopped cilantro for topping
• Queso fresco, crumbled for topping
• Sesame seeds for topping

Ingredient Notes, Variations & Simple Swaps

Feel free to customize this recipe based on what you have on hand. For a different protein, consider using chicken breasts or even grilling beef strips. You can swap the cabbage for other greens like shredded lettuce or spinach. If you like a bit more heat, add some chili flakes to the sauce or top the tacos with sliced jalapeños. Fresh herbs like parsley can also be used in place of cilantro if desired.

How to Make This Recipe

Step 1 – Prepare the Chicken

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Start by trimming the chicken thighs of any excess fat. Place them in a baking dish and set them aside as you prepare the sauce.

Step 2 – Make the Sauce

In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, ketchup, hoisin sauce, and minced garlic. Pour this delightful mixture over the chicken, ensuring every piece is coated well.

Step 3 – Bake the Chicken

Bake the chicken for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, flip the chicken and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes or until it is cooked through and no longer pink in the center. While the chicken bakes, prepare the slaw by combining shredded cabbage, sliced red onion, and chopped cilantro in a bowl. Drizzle everything with avocado oil, lime zest, and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper, and toss until well combined.

Step 4 – Thicken the Sauce

Once the chicken is finished baking, remove it from the oven. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Whisk this into the remaining sauce and return it to the oven for 10 minutes to thicken.

Step 5 – Assemble the Tacos

After the chicken has finished baking, cut it into bite-sized pieces and mix it back into the thickened sauce. To assemble, spoon the chicken mixture onto warm tortillas, adding the cabbage slaw, some chopped cilantro, crumbled queso fresco, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Enjoy your delicious tacos!

Tips for Perfect Results

For the best Honey Garlic Chicken Tacos, keep these tips in mind:

• Always check that the chicken is fully cooked; it should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
• If you prefer a slightly charred flavor, consider broiling the chicken for a couple of minutes at the end of baking.
• Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing to retain moisture.
• For an extra touch of flavor, warm the tortillas briefly in a skillet or microwave.
• Adjust the sweetness of the sauce to your liking by balancing the honey and soy sauce.

Flavor Variations

If you’d like to explore different flavors, consider these ideas:

• Add a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the marinade for some heat.
• Substitute the hoisin sauce with teriyaki sauce for a different taste.
• Incorporate fresh lime juice directly into the sauce for added tanginess.
• Try adding a variety of toppings, such as diced avocado or fresh salsa.
• Use grilled vegetables as an additional filling for added texture and taste.

What to Serve With This Recipe

These Honey Garlic Chicken Tacos pair well with a variety of sides. Here are some great ideas:

• Fresh guacamole or avocado slices
• Spanish rice or cilantro lime rice
• Black beans or refried beans
• A simple garden salad
• Crunchy tortilla chips with salsa or queso

Storage, Make-Ahead & Leftovers

You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to make this ahead, prepare the chicken and sauce, then store them separately until you’re ready to bake. Reheat the chicken gently in the oven or microwave. You can freeze the cooked chicken for up to three months. Just be sure to cool it completely before sealing it in a freezer-safe bag.

Honey Garlic Chicken Tacos

These Honey Garlic Chicken Tacos are a delicious and easy-to-make dish, perfect for gatherings or a cozy weeknight dinner. Chicken thighs are coated in a sweet and savory honey-garlic sauce, paired with a fresh slaw for added crunch.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 32 minutes mins

Total Time 47 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  

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For the Chicken

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch for sauce thickening
• 3 tablespoons water to make cornstarch slurry

For the Slaw

• 4 cups thinly shredded cabbage
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil
• 1 medium lime, juiced and zested

For Serving

• 12 pieces fajita size flour tortillas

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Trim the chicken thighs of any excess fat and place them into a baking dish.

Making the Sauce

• In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, ketchup, hoisin sauce, and minced garlic. Pour this mixture over the chicken, ensuring every piece is coated well.

Baking the Chicken

• Bake the chicken for 20 minutes. Flip the chicken and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes or until it is cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
• While the chicken bakes, prepare the slaw by combining shredded cabbage, sliced red onion, and chopped cilantro in a bowl. Drizzle with avocado oil, lime zest, and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper, and toss until combined.

Thickening the Sauce

• Once the chicken is finished baking, remove it from the oven. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Whisk this into the remaining sauce and return it to the oven for 10 minutes to thicken.

Assembling the Tacos

• After the chicken has finished baking, cut it into bite-sized pieces and mix it back into the thickened sauce.
• To assemble, spoon the chicken mixture onto warm tortillas, adding the cabbage slaw, some chopped cilantro, crumbled queso fresco, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Enjoy!

Notes

For best results, check that the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. For charred flavor, broil the chicken for a couple of minutes at the end of baking. Let the chicken rest before slicing to retain moisture, and warm the tortillas briefly before serving. Adjust the sweetness of the sauce to taste.

Keyword easy chicken recipe, Honey Garlic Chicken Tacos, quick dinner, Tacos, Weeknight Meal

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