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January 26, 2023 2 Comments

Easy Skillet Chicken Taco Meat

A skillet filled with bite-sized chicken taco meat with a wooden spatula inserted at an angle.We love everything Mexican and Tex-Mex. At least once a week, we have some kind of burrito bowl, fajitas, or enchiladas. I know my kids will eat those things without any complaint, and most of the recipes are fairly quick and easy to prepare. When I make burritos or burrito bowls, I usually throw chicken or pork in the crockpot early in the day or brown up some beef for taco meat. Lately, I’ve been making this Easy Skillet Chicken Taco Meat, and it’s a big hit! I love it. Because even if I forget to get dinner going, I almost always have chicken breasts in the freezer, and I can whip this up in about 20 minutes. 

A bowl filled with quinoa, diced chicken taco meat, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, black beans and topped with shredded cheese. On the left is a partial photo of chicken taco meat and a grey kitchen towel. On the right are two small glass bowls, one with chopped cucumber and the other with pico de Gallo.Basically, this is just sautéed bite-size pieces of chicken covered in all the spices you love in Tex-Mex cuisine–cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, oregano, onion powder, salt, and pepper. I like to add two little things at the end that make it extra perfect: A little bit of lemon or lime juice and a little bit of sugar to help get that browning just how you want it. Yum! This simple Skillet Chicken Taco Meat is going to be a new favorite! We’ve started having it once a week as a burrito bowl with quinoa instead of rice. SOOOOO GOOOOOD!

More Mexican-Food-Inspired Favorites

  • Honey Lime Chicken Bowls with Rotisserie Chicken
  • Easy Mexican Shredded Beef
  • Creamy Chicken Green Chili Enchiladas
  • Sheet Pan Fajitas
  • Cafe Rio Cilantro Ranch Dressing
  • Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice

Step-by-step pictures for how to make Easy Skillet Chicken Taco Meat

Four-photo picture collage of step-by-step pictures of how to make Easy Skillet Taco Meat.

Bite-size chicken taco meat in a nonstick skillet with a wooden spatula inserted on the right.

Frequently Asked Questions about how to make Easy Skillet Chicken Taco Meat

Can I use chicken thighs in place of Chicken Breasts?

Yes, absolutely. We prefer chicken breasts, but this recipe will work great with boneless chicken thighs.

Can I use a Taco Packet in place of the spices in this recipe?

Yes. The spices used in this recipe are very similar to what you will find in a taco packet from the store. Store-bought packets usually have a thickening agent and call for water, so read the back to see if you need to add water. The one spice that will not be in that packet is smoked paprika, so if you like the hint of smokiness, add some smoked paprika.

How many people will this recipe serve?

This recipe serves 4-6 adults. This, of course, depends on how much meat people put in their burrito bowl, on their taco, or in their burrito. We are a family of seven and this feeds everyone, but there are never leftovers. 

Chicken Quinoa Burrito Bowl with pico de Gallo, black beans, chopped lettuce, cucumber and sliced avocado.Is this Skillet Chicken Taco MEat Gluten-Free?

As written, yes, this recipe is gluten-free. If you choose to use a taco packet, you will need to make sure it is a gluten-free taco packet.

Can I use imitation lemon or lime juice, or does it need to be fresh?

Yes. I use imitation lemon juice when I make this or I shake on a little True Lime. I never bother cutting into a whole lemon or lime. For this recipe, you don’t notice if it is imitation or fresh. It just brings out the flavors of the spices.

Do I have to add the Lemon or lime juice and the sugar?

No. You can definitely leave both of them out, but I recommend trying it once. It does enhance the flavors.

Two-photo Pinterest picture of Easy Skillet Chicken Taco Meat with the text of the title in the middle.chef’s tools:

  • Large Skillet
  • Chef’s Knife Set
  • Cutting Board
  • Taco Seasoning
  • True Lemon or True Lime

Serve with...

How to Make Homemade Re-fried BeansA glass bowl filled to the top with Pico de Gallo with the handle of a spoon sticking out of it.Copycat Chipotle Pico de GalloHomemade flour tortillas wrapped in a hand towel that is blue and white plaid.Homemade Flour Tortillas

5.0 from 1 reviews
Easy Skillet Chicken Taco Meat
 
Print
Prep time
5 mins
Cook time
15 mins
Total time
20 mins
 
Super simple and flavorful, this Easy Skillet Chicken Taco Meat is destined to be a recipe you make on repeat! Always easy and always a hit! Can't beat that!
Author: Maria
Recipe type: Chicken
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
  • 3 large chicken breasts, cut into thin, bite-size pieces
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or canola oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • 2½ tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp granulate sugar
  • ½-1 tsp lemon or lime juice
Instructions
  1. In a large skillet, heat oil and add chicken pieces.
  2. Add the salt and ground black pepper, and saute over medium-high heat until meat is no longer pink.
  3. Next, add the cumin, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and dried oregano. Stir well and continue to saute for another 5 minutes or until meat is completely cooked.
  4. As the last step, add the sugar and lemon or lime juice. Saute until the chicken has a nice, slight browning to it.
  5. Remove from heat and serve for tacos, burritos, burrito bowls, or whatever you want.
  6. Enjoy!
3.5.3251

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Pinterest picture with the text of the title of the recipe at the top.

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2 Comments

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2 Comments

  1. tdchinges

    January 29, 2023 at 5:42 am

    I am a lover of mexican food and I am so excited to see this recipe, I have read your easy skillet chicken taco meat recipe carefully, including all the preparation process, thank you very much!

    to tdchinges" aria-label='reply to this comment to tdchinges'>reply to this comment
    • Maria

      February 1, 2023 at 4:54 am

      You are welcome! I hope you like it!

      to Maria" aria-label='reply to this comment to Maria'>reply to this comment

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Hi, I'm Maria. A mom of five and a total foodie. My superpower is taking ordinary recipes and making them DELICIOUS. Your family will LOVE these meals! Come cook with me, I promise it will be amazing! Get started here or search my archives below.


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