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Home / Recipes / Dinner / 10 Minute Skillet Chicken Taco Recipe

10 Minute Skillet Chicken Taco Recipe

By: Samantha RowlandUpdated: March 25, 2021

$7.76 Recipe/$1.94 Serving
Whole30PaleoKetoLow CarbQuick
Cast iron skillet filled with taco chicken and silver spatula

10 minute skillet chicken taco recipe is going to become your new favorite way to make chicken for your tacos! Ready in just 10 minutes, this recipe is so easy to make and incredibly flavorful!

This healthy recipe is paleo, Whole30 and keto friendly!

Cast iron skillet filled with taco chicken and silver spatula

Why this recipe works

  • All the flavor of your favorite taco seasoning made from scratch in just 1 minute with easy to find ingredients! You can make a big batch and it’s much less expensive than store bought taco seasoning!
  • This 10 minute skillet chicken taco meat is packed with flavor and the chicken is perfect for tacos, taco salad, burritos or even pizza!
  • This healthy recipe for chicken taco meat is perfect for weeknight meals and makes great leftovers!
  • Try it with homemade guacamole or homemade salsa!
  • Healthy chicken taco meat is paleo, Whole30, low carb and keto friendly!
White tray full of chicken taco meat
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Why you should make your own taco seasoning

Making taco seasoning at home is very easy and you get to control the quality of ingredients. Store bought taco seasoning can have preservatives, artificial flavoring and coloring and is often full of additives you don’t want (like MSG).

There are healthier brands of taco seasoning on the market but they are often quite expensive.

Instead, you can make your own taco seasoning with spices you likely already have on hand at home. Make a big batch (once you know you like the recipe) and store extra in glass jars.

How to make taco seasoning

Get step by step instructions on how to create my Whole30, Low FODMAP homemade taco seasoning.

In a small bowl combine these ingredients. Stir well and store in a glass container.

  • Paprika
  • Smoked paprika
  • Chili powder (low fodmap look for ancho chili powder)
  • Dried chives (for low fodmap) or garlic powder
  • Salt
  • Dried oregano
  • Ground cumin
  • Optional: red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper
Bowl filled with taco seasoning spices

TIP: I like to save glass spice jars once they are empty. Simply wash out the bottle and remove the label. You can reuse these containers over and over again.

For the best tasting taco seasoning, make sure you are using fresh herbs and spices!

I buy all my spices on Thrive Market or try to pick them up at Aldi or Trader Joe’s to save money! You can also buy them in bulk at stores like Costco or Sams.

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Instructions:

  • Step 1: Start by cutting up chicken breast or thighs into bite size pieces. I use clean kitchen shears to do this easily.
  • Step 2: Make the taco seasoning mix in a small bowl.
  • Step 3: Add the chicken pieces to a large bowl. Add red wine vinegar, olive oil and taco seasoning to the chicken.
  • Step 4: Stir the chicken and seasoning and make sure it’s well coated.
  • Step 5: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken and allow to cook for 8-10 minutes depending on how large the chicken bites are and how hot the pan was.
  • Step 6: Test the temperature of the chicken (should be 165F) before removing it off the heat.
  • Step 7: Stuff the chicken in a taco, burrito, chimichanga, over a taco salad, or serve on tostadas!
Steps on how to make skillet chicken taco meat

Toppings for chicken tacos:

  • Avocado or guacamole
  • Pico de gaio or homemade salsa
  • Pickled jalapenos
  • Pineapple slaw
  • Jalapeno Cilantro Hummus
  • Chopped tomatoes
  • Shredded romaine lettuce
  • Chopped red onion
  • Cilantro

FAQ’s and Substitutions

How long can leftovers be stored in the fridge?

Once cooked, the chicken will last about 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container

Can you freeze this recipe?

In the freezer, the chicken taco meat will last about 3 months. Be sure to store it in an airtight freezer safe container.

TIP: Freeze individual portions of the cooked chicken taco meat for an easy grab and go protein. Let it defrost overnight or in your lunch box for the next day. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.

Piece of chicken on a fork over a skillet of chicken

Can you use store bought taco seasoning?

Yes! You can use homemade or store bought taco seasoning for this recipe.

What if you don’t have red wine vinegar?

If you don’t have red wine vinegar you can use apple cider vinegar, lime juice, white wine vinegar or lemon juice.

What kind of chicken can you use in this recipe?

This recipe calls for boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs. Be sure to cut the chicken up into bite size pieces so it will cook quickly. You can also use chicken tenders that you cut up or even turkey breast.

Can you use the taco seasoning on more than chicken?

Yes! The homemade taco seasoning is great on shrimp, beef, black beans, vegetables and even on roasted potatoes!

Cast iron skillet filled with taco chicken meat

If you love this recipe, you should try:

  • Simple Chicken and Peas Skillet
  • Ranch chicken
  • 10 Minute Black Bean Soup
  • Spicy Sweet Potato Soup
  • Simple Turkey Stuffed Peppers
  • Easy Bean Tostadas
  • Mexican White Bean Soup
★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
White tray full of chicken taco meat

10 Minute Skillet Chicken Taco Recipe

$7.76 Recipe/$1.94 Serving
10 Minute Skillet Chicken Taco Recipe is the perfect easy weeknight meal and is great for leftovers! This simple healthy recipe is paleo, Whole30, low carb and keto friendly. Use chicken breast, thighs or tenders!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Save Saved! Rate
Course: dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: chicken taco meat, skillet taco chicken
Prep Time: 2 mins
Cook Time: 8 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Samantha Rowland

Guided Recipe Video

Ingredients

Chicken Taco Recipe

  • 1 tbsp. taco seasoning - $0.36
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar - $0.19
  • 1 tbsp olive oil - $0.22
  • 1 lbs chicken breast, boneless, skinless (or boneless, skinless chicken thighs) - $6.99

Instructions

Chicken Taco Recipe

  • Cut the chicken breast into bite size pieces using kitchen shears or a sharp knife.
  • Add the cut chicken pieces to a large bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning, 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
  • Stir the chicken well to make sure it is evenly coated.
  • Preheat a large cast iron skillet (or stainless steel skillet) over medium heat.
  • Add the chicken and allow it to cook for 3-4 minutes untouched.
  • For the last 4-5 minutes, stir the chicken occasionally making sure all sides get heat.
  • Take the chicken off the heat. Make sure it's completely cooked (check the temperature should be 165F)
  • Serve the chicken taco meat with your favorite toppings in a taco shell on a burrito or on a salad.

Notes

Make your own taco seasoning or use your favorite store bought brand!
Substitutes: You can substitute the red wine vinegar for apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, lime juice or lemon juice.
Storage: Double or triple the recipe and store in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. 
Budget tip: To make this meal more budget friendly, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. This recipe would be $5.76 recipe/$1.44 per serving using this swap. 
  • If you don’t have chicken breast you can also use chicken tenders, turkey breast, boneless skinless chicken thighs. 
See how I calculate food cost.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts
Amount per Serving
Calories
236
Fat
 
8
g
Carbohydrates
 
2
g
Fiber
 
1
g
Sugar
 
1
g
Protein
 
37
g
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database.
DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?Let others know by rating and leaving a comment below!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jen

    March 1, 2021 at 1:14 pm

    5 stars
    My family loves this but the last time I tried to make it the measurements wouldn’t load. Can you post again ?

    Reply
    • Samantha Rowland

      March 2, 2021 at 6:39 am

      Hey Jen! Which measurements are you having trouble with? The Taco seasoning? It’s now got it’s own post at https://bitesofwellness.com/whole30-taco-seasoning-low-fodmap/

      Reply
      • Jen

        March 3, 2021 at 6:22 pm

        Thank you so much! My son will only eat this chicken taco recipe ♥️

        Reply
  2. Nicky

    January 21, 2020 at 3:19 am

    5 stars
    I made this with lime juice and let it marinate for half an hour while I cut up taco toppings. It was delicious. thanks for posting this.

    Reply
    • Samantha Rowland

      January 21, 2020 at 12:34 pm

      Thank you so much for letting me know about the lime juice!! So glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

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Sam at Bites of Wellness

Hi, I’m Sam! I make nourishing homemade meals on a budget that are gluten free and mostly dairy free. I’m a former CPA turned passionate home chef that is on a mission to make easy to follow healthy meals that fit on any lifestyle.
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