Description
Juicy chicken thighs seasoned with smoky spices, nestled in warm tortillas and topped with a vibrant sweet cherry salsa. A perfect summer taco night recipe.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 8 small flour or corn tortillas
- For the Sweet Cherry Salsa:
- 2 cups fresh sweet cherries, pitted and chopped
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt to taste
- Optional toppings: crumbled queso fresco, sliced avocado, sour cream
Instructions
- Make the cherry salsa: In a medium bowl, combine the chopped cherries, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, honey, and salt. Stir gently to combine. Let sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Prepare the chicken: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Rub the spice mixture all over the chicken thighs.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs and cook for 5–6 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F). Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice or shred.
- Warm the tortillas: In the same skillet or a dry comal, warm tortillas for about 30 seconds per side until pliable and lightly charred.
- Assemble tacos: Divide the sliced chicken among the warm tortillas. Top with a generous spoonful of sweet cherry salsa. Add optional toppings as desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
For a smokier flavor, grill the chicken thighs over medium-high heat instead of pan-searing. Cherries can be replaced with diced mango or peaches when not in season. To make it a meal prep option, store salsa and chicken separately in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Fat: 22 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Protein: 34 g