BEST Chicken Tacos

These chicken tacos are perfectly spiced, air fried until crispy yet juicy and served with a homemade cilantro lime sauce that you’ll want to put on everything. Gluten free and so easy to make!

When I need something quick, easy, healthy and flavorful for dinner I often reach for these air fryer chicken tacos. They require no marinating, only about 15 minutes of prep and you can make a big batch to have for easy dinners throughout the week! We have juicy yet crispy chicken thighs that are perfectly seasoned (with a mix similar to my ground beef tacos) and topped with a homemade cilantro lime sauce.

As written, these tacos are not very spicy, but you can absolutely spice them up with hot sauce, red pepper flakes or even add cayenne pepper to the chicken seasoning mix. If you love this recipe, try my chicken fajita bowls or chili lime chicken bowls next!

Quick tips!

• I recommend sticking with chicken thighs here (the fat helps the outside get crispier), but if you really prefer chicken breasts, that will work. I suggest pounding them before seasoning, then air fry for only 10-12 minutes instead of 12-15.
• Feel free to get creative with the toppings here! I kept it simple with lettuce, onion, cilantro and the green sauce, but diced bell peppers, sauteed onions, fire roasted corn etc. are all delicious.

How to make air fryer chicken tacos

Trim off any excess fat from the chicken thighs and add to a mixing bowl. Toss with the oil.

In a small dish, whisk up all the spices, salt and brown sugar. Pour on top of the chicken thighs until well coated. I like to really pat things in there to ensure it sticks well.

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Once ready, spray the basket with oil, then add the chicken in one layer- you may need to do two batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Air fry for 12-15 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 Fahrenheit. Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes on a cutting board before dicing it up.

Add all ingredients for the sauce to a blender. Blend until completely smooth, then taste and adjust as desired.

Warm up your tortillas, then assemble with a base of the shredded lettuce, add on the chicken, diced red onion, cilantro and sauce. Enjoy and try my crispy chicken tacos next!

Variations

In a pinch? Use a package of your favorite taco seasoning in place of the salt, spices and sugar here. That way you just dump and toss- no need to measure out each individual seasoning.

Add in sauteed veggies! Sauteed bell peppers and onions will forever be a favorite on tacos and gives them more of a fajita feel!

You can swap the greek yogurt for mayo for a slightly less tangy flavor! You can even add some avocado for a bit of a different flavor profile.

How to make without an air fryer

You can easily bake or pan fry these chicken thighs if you don’t have an air fryer! To bake, preheat the oven to 425 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then place a wire rack on top- this will keep the mess minimal but still help the exterior of the chicken get crispy. Bake for about 35 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 Fahrenheit.

To pan fry, heat a cast iron skillet with oil over medium heat, cook for 8-10 minutes without touching so they develop a crispy exterior. Flip and continue to cook for 8-10 more minutes or until the chicken reaches 165 Fahrenheit.

Easy air fryer recipes to try next!

• Air Fryer Salmon
• Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
• Honey Garlic Tofu
• Parmesan Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets

If you try this recipe, leave a comment below and let me know how it turns out! Be sure to follow me on instagram and subscribe to my newsletter for more recipes.