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Skillet Chili Lime Chicken Tacos with Kale Slaw

Skillet Chili Lime Chicken Tacos with Kale Slaw

Print Recipe
Smoky chili lime chicken, sweet corn, creamy kale slaw, and fresh green dressing come together in these quick and flavorful tacos.
Course Chicken, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Mexican
Keyword chicken
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8 tacos

Ingredients

For the Light Green Dressing

  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 small handful fresh cilantro stems included
  • 1 small handful fresh parsley leaves only
  • 2 green onions white portions removed
  • Juice of ½ lime
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • ¾ teaspoon fine salt
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • 1 clove garlic
  • ¼ avocado
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ cup water plus more as needed

For the Kale Slaw

  • 2 cups finely chopped fresh kale
  • ¼ cup light green dressing

For the Chicken Tacos

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil plus more as needed
  • 3 cups cooked chicken cubed
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen corn
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Juice of ½ lime
  • Corn tortillas warmed
  • Cotija cheese optional

Instructions

For The Dressing

  • Add the sour cream, Greek yogurt, cilantro, parsley, green onions, lime juice, vinegar, salt, cumin, garlic, avocado, olive oil, and water to a blender or tall jar.
  • Blend until smooth and creamy, adding another splash of water if needed to reach your preferred consistency. Taste and adjust the salt or lime juice as desired.

For The Slaw

  • Place the finely chopped kale in a bowl and add ¼ cup of the green dressing. Use clean hands to massage the dressing into the kale until it softens and reduces slightly in volume. Set aside.

For The Tacos

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cooked chicken, corn, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika.
  • Cook until the chicken is heated through, the corn is tender, and the seasonings are fragrant. Allow the chicken to sit against the hot skillet for a minute or two if you would like lightly caramelized edges.
  • Turn off the heat and squeeze the lime juice over the chicken. Stir well and taste for seasoning.
  • Add a layer of kale slaw to each warm corn tortilla. Spoon the chili lime chicken and corn over the slaw, then top with additional green dressing and cotija cheese, if desired.

Video

Notes

  • If you are starting with raw chicken, cut 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs (or 3 chicken breasts) into bite sized pieces and season them lightly with salt. Heat olive oil in a large skillet, then add the chicken in a single layer. Cook them undisturbed for the first few minutes to develop a crust. Then stir and continue cooking until chicken is fully cooked and golden around the edges. Add the corn and seasonings directly to the skillet, then continue with the recipe as written. 
  • Frozen corn can be added directly to the skillet without thawing.
  • Store the chicken, kale slaw, and remaining dressing in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. The chicken will keep for up to four days. The dressed kale is best within two or three days, and the green dressing will keep for up to four days.
  • The extra green dressing is also delicious on salads, taco bowls, roasted vegetables, grilled meat, or crispy potatoes.
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