Grilled Chicken Tacos with Mango Salsa
These grilled chicken tacos with mango salsa are a fresh and flavorful meal that combines smoky grilled chicken with sweet, tangy fruit salsa. The chicken is marinated in lime and spices, grilled until juicy, and served in warm tortillas topped with vibrant mango salsa and optional toppings like avocado or cabbage.This easy recipe comes together in about 35 minutes and is perfect for weeknight dinners, summer meals, or taco night with family and friends. The balance of savory, sweet, and citrus flavors makes these tacos light, refreshing, and incredibly satisfying.
Ingredients
For the Grilled Chicken
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Mango Salsa
- 2 cups fresh mango diced (about 2 ripe mangoes)
- ¼ cup red onion finely diced
- 1 small jalapeño finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For Assembling the Tacos
- 8 small corn tortillas or flour tortillas
- 1 avocado sliced (optional)
- 1 cup shredded cabbage optional
- ¼ cup queso fresco crumbled (optional)
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Marinade
- In a medium bowl, combine the olive oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until well mixed.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
- Add the chicken breasts or thighs to the marinade and coat them evenly. Cover and let the chicken marinate for at least 20–30 minutes. If you have time, marinating for up to 2 hours will add even more flavor.
Step 3: Make the Mango Salsa
- In a mixing bowl, combine the diced mango, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Stir gently until everything is evenly mixed. Let the salsa sit for about 10–15 minutes so the flavors can blend.
Step 4: Grill the Chicken
- Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates if needed. Grill the chicken for about 5–7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Step 5: Rest and Slice the Chicken
- Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for about 5 minutes. Slice or chop the chicken into small pieces suitable for tacos.
Step 6: Warm the Tortillas
- Heat the tortillas in a skillet, on the grill, or in the microwave until warm and soft.
Step 7: Assemble the Tacos
- Place a portion of grilled chicken on each tortilla. Spoon mango salsa over the top and add optional toppings like avocado, shredded cabbage, or queso fresco.
Step 8: Serve
- Serve the tacos immediately with lime wedges on the side.