Description
Bright, bold, and bursting with flavor, these One Pan Chicken and Pineapple Tacos are your ideal solution for a quick dinner that doesn’t hold back on taste.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into thin strips
- 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 6 small corn or flour tortillas
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional topping)
- Diced red onion or jalapeño (optional)
Instructions
- Start by taking the chicken strips and placing them into a mixing bowl. Add the olive oil, minced garlic, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Then, using your hands (or a spoon), toss everything together until the chicken is well-coated. Allow this mixture to marinate for at least 10 minutes; this step is essential as it infuses flavor into the chicken and helps tenderize it, leading to a juicy end result.
- Once the chicken has marinated, preheat your skillet over medium-high heat. You might want to add a splash of oil to ensure the chicken doesn’t stick. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the pan without overcrowding it—this will allow for even cooking and a nice browning on each piece. Cook for about 4 to 5 minutes per side until you achieve a beautiful golden color and the chicken is cooked through. When done, carefully transfer the chicken to a plate and set it aside.
- In the same skillet, carefully add the diced pineapple. Allow the fruit to cook for about 3 to 4 minutes until it starts to caramelize and develops a nice golden hue. As the sugars from the pineapple heat up, they will create that lovely, sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with the savory chicken you just cooked. Stir occasionally to avoid burning, and once caramelized, add the chicken back into the pan to combine flavors for a minute or two.
- Next, it’s time to warm the tortillas. You can do this in a dry pan over low heat or directly over a flame until they’re soft and slightly charred. Warm tortillas enhance the overall taco experience, making them pliable and ready for filling.
- To assemble your mouth-watering tacos, take a warm tortilla and layer it with a generous portion of the chicken and pineapple mixture. Top with freshly chopped cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and any other optional toppings like sour cream, diced red onion, or jalapeños. Serve immediately, and watch them disappear!
Notes
Using fresh pineapple rather than canned will yield the best caramelized flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
Nutrition
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Protein: 22 g