This Crispy Chicken Tacos recipe features the most delicious combination of juicy garlic and lemongrass marinated chicken, crunchy tortilla chips, and soft corn tortilla shells. This taco dish has the crispy and crunchy texture filling within a soft taco! You get the best of both worlds!
Table of Contents
- What are Crispy Chicken Tacos?
- Why You’ll Love This Crispy Chicken Tacos Recipe
- Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Crispy Chicken Tacos At Home
- How to Make Crispy Chicken Tacos (Step by Step)
- Taco Toppings Ideas
- Joyce's Tips For Making the Best Crispy Chicken Tacos
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Variation Ideas for Crispy Chicken Tacos
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to Store Leftover Crispy Chicken Tacos
- Recipes To Use Up Leftover Lemongrass
- More Delicious Recipes You Might Like
- Did You Make This Recipe?
- Recipe Card
Cooking up these crispy chicken tacos at home is a great way to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal without the fuss. The chicken, marinated to perfection and seared to a golden brown, offers a rich, savory flavor that goes perfectly with the crispy tortilla chips. It's a dish that's sure to impress, whether you're cooking for yourself or hosting a dinner party.
I know what you're thinking, the tortilla shells are not crispy! How can you call this a crispy chicken taco? That's because this taco has the best of both worlds. It uses the soft corn tortilla to wrap the taco, but the crispy part comes from the crispy tortilla chips, which are chopped right into the chicken right after it is cooked.
The best part of this crispy chicken taco recipe is how easy it is. The chicken is basically pan-fried after it has been marinated, and you're ready to assemble the taco!
Read on to learn exactly how to make this delicious crispy chicken tacos recipe today!
What are Crispy Chicken Tacos?
Crispy chicken tacos are the quintessential tacos that we’ve all come to love and my recipe comes with a twist. Usually, the shells are crispy but my recipe brings you the best of both worlds. It uses the soft corn tortilla to wrap the taco, and the crispy part comes from the crispy tortilla chips, which are chopped with the chicken right after it is cooked.
This recipe is definitely a must-try, as it brings out an interesting cooking technique that enhances the flavor of the chicken. The chicken is marinated with garlic, soy, lemongrass, and balsamic vinegar, and then seared in a skillet over medium heat to achieve a brown, crispy skin.
The combination of the delicious chicken, the soft tortilla, the crunchy tortilla chips, and the blend of toppings creates a delicious combination of textures and flavors in every bite. It's a perfect balance of savory, spicy, and creamy elements that make this dish irresistibly good.
Why You’ll Love This Crispy Chicken Tacos Recipe
Quick and easy: Despite being packed with flavors, this chicken taco recipe doesn't require a lot of time. From prep to cook time, you can have these tacos on the table in just 25 minutes, making them perfect for those busy weeknight dinners.
Delicious and Satisfying: Each bite of this chicken taco is a flavor explosion and textures. The marinade infuses the chicken with a deep, savory flavor, while the balsamic vinegar adds a hint of tanginess. The end result is a deliciously balanced, satisfying meal with a range of crispy and soft textures.
Family-Favorite: The combination of savory, crispy chicken in a soft corn tortilla is a surefire hit with both kids and adults. Plus, the fun of assembling their own tacos makes this a meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Crispy Chicken Tacos At Home
All you need are some incredibly simple, pantry-staple ingredients to make this delicious crispy chicken tacos recipe at home.
Here's an overview of the specific ingredients for this recipe. For the exact ingredients and measurements, please scroll to the recipe card below.
- Chicken: For this recipe, I used dark meat chicken. For simplicity, I use boneless chicken thighs. If you want to make it a super easy meal, you can use a store-bought rotisserie chicken as well.
- Lemongrass: You can use either fresh stalks of lemongrass or pre-ground frozen ones. If you are using fresh lemongrass, use only the bottom of the lemongrass stalk (which is about 2-3 inches of the lemongrass) and discard the dry tips. You can find frozen pre-ground lemongrass in the freezer aisles of Asian grocery stores.
- Soft Shelled Tortilla: For soft tortillas, we found that corn tortilla was the most flavorful and it tastes best when it was warmed up in a frying pan, however you can go with your favorite brand or type of tortillas (or use flour tortillas) and it will be just as good.
- Tortilla Chips: Any kind of tortilla chips will work for this recipe. I found that lightly toasting them for about 3-5 minutes in the oven before using them gave them an even better flavor and texture!
- Soy Sauce/Balsamic/Garlic: These three trio give a lot of flavor to the marinade for the chicken. The balsamic helps with the caramelization of the chicken as well.
- Green Onions: I love using green onions for that light onion flavor which adds a lot of extra flavor to the crispy taco at the end.
How to Make Crispy Chicken Tacos (Step by Step)
Making this incredible crispy chicken tacos recipe at home is super easy and will give you great results every single time. Here's how to make it step by step:
Preparation of Ingredients and Marinate the Chicken
Finely chop the green onions and set them aside for garnishing at the end. Also, finely chop the garlic.
If you are using lemongrass stalks, use only the bottom 2-3 inches, which is pale and light yellow in color, and discard the dried tips. Finely chop the lemongrass and set it aside. Make sure you chop it as fine as possible. Alternatively, you can also chop them into small pieces and grind them in a food processor.
To marinate the chicken, add the chicken pieces into a bowl and add the chopped garlic, soy sauce, finely chopped lemongrass, and balsamic vinegar and mix everything together well until the chicken is well coated. Marinate it for about two to three hours to infuse the flavors.
Cooking the Chicken
In a large skillet, add some oil and set the heat to medium high heat.
Add the chicken to the pan, skin side down first. To achieve a delicious brown skin, do not flip the chicken right away and leave it skin side down for a few minutes. Sear the chicken for three to four minutes on each side, until the chicken is cooked.
Making the Crispy Tacos and Assembling It
Once the chicken is done, transfer it to a cutting board. For that extra crunch in your crispy chicken tacos, place some tortilla chips on top of the chicken and chop it up together.
Mix in the chopped green onions to the chicken and tortilla mix.
Now comes the fun part, assembling them! Load up your soft tortillas or corn tortillas with the crispy chicken filling. Add your favorite toppings such as cheese, sour cream, salsa, and guacamole, and enjoy your homemade crispy chicken tacos!
Taco Toppings Ideas
One of the best parts of having tacos is playing around with the toppings and garnishes. Switch it up and you got yourself different flavors every bite! Here are a few ideas of toppings we love to use:
- Pickled Red Onions: Slice up a red onion thinly and add fresh lemon juice or lime juice and a pinch of salt to it. Let it sit and meld for about 30 minutes until soft. I highly recommend these pickled onions, they give a lot of flavor to tacos.
- Cheeses: You can add any type of cheese to tacos but the ones I find with the most flavor are feta, cotija (which is very similar to feta), and cheddar cheese (especially old or medium cheddar cheese).
- Sour Cream: If you love a bit of tang with a bit of butteriness, you definitely need to try adding sour cream to your tacos. It elevates the flavors and gives it a nice creaminess as well. I like to use a full fat sour cream.
- Chives and Green onions/Scallions: Green onions add a TON of flavor to tacos. It also gives it a bit of freshness as well.
- Cilantro: This one is a hit or miss for some people. I find parsley gives tacos a bit of a refreshing kick.
- Guacamole: I love adding guacamole in everything, especially in tacos. It adds creaminess and a bit of garlickiness as well and it pulls the taco flavors together. In a pinch, I will use my toasted sesame guacamole recipe which takes about 5 minutes to put together.
- Salsa: All tacos need an element of tang and salsa does the job. I personally love sweet and tangy salsas, and will always use my Sweet & Spicy Pineapple Salsa recipe to give my tacos a sweet and sour flavor.
- Vegetables: If you want to keep it simple, you can add classic vegetables like shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, avocado, pickled jalapenos or sliced peppers.
- Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice: It's a simple ingredient that will do magic to your chicken tacos.
Joyce's Tips For Making the Best Crispy Chicken Tacos
Choose the Right Cut of Chicken: For this crispy chicken tacos recipe, opt for boneless chicken thighs or any dark meat. Dark meat retains moisture better than white meat, ensuring juicy and flavorful tacos.
Marinate for Deeper Flavor: Marinate the chicken with garlic, soy sauce, lemongrass, and balsamic vinegar for at least two to three hours. This step infuses the chicken with robust flavors and tenderizes the meat.
Master the Searing Technique: When cooking the chicken in a skillet over medium heat, sear it skin side down first and don't move it for a few minutes. This method gives the chicken a beautiful brown crust.
Lightly Toast the Tortillas: Any kind of tortilla chips will work for this recipe. I found that lightly toasting them for about 3-5 minutes in the oven before using them gave them an even better flavor and texture!
Get Creative with Toppings: After chopping up the cooked chicken with tortilla chips and green onions, don't hesitate to add your favorite toppings. Cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and salsa are all fantastic choices.
Use Soft Corn Tortillas: Soft corn tortilla shells are the best choice for these crispy chicken tacos. They add a pleasant texture and authentic flavor to your dish.
Enjoy with Sides: Serve your crispy chicken tacos with a side of Mexican rice or black beans for a complete, satisfying meal.
Serving Suggestions
- For a hearty lunch, serve your crispy chicken tacos with a side of homemade Mexican rice and black beans. The earthy flavors of the rice and beans complement the tangy chicken and fresh toppings perfectly.
- Want to add a creamy twist? Top your crispy chicken tacos with a dollop of sour cream or a generous spoonful of guacamole. I have a delicious toasted sesame guacamole recipe that works perfectly with this taco recipe!
- For a dinner party, serve these crispy chicken tacos with a colorful array of salsas. You can prepare a traditional tomato salsa, a sweet and spicy pineapple salsa, and a tangy tomatillo salsa. Your guests will enjoy customizing their tacos with different flavors.
- Crispy chicken tacos also make a great game night snack. Set up a taco bar with different toppings like shredded cheese, diced onions, cilantro, and lime wedges. Everyone can build their own taco according to their taste.
- Instead of chopping tortilla chips to make these tacos crispy, you can also use crispy fried wonton chips!
Recipe Variation Ideas for Crispy Chicken Tacos
This delicious crispy chicken tacos recipe is so flavorful and easy to make, you'll want to try out some of these delicious variations! Here are some great ideas:
Turn up the Heat: If you like your tacos with a bit of a kick, add a teaspoon of chili powder or sriracha chili sauce to the marinade. Alternatively, you can drizzle some hot sauce over your finished tacos. The added heat will elevate the flavor profile and satisfy your craving for something spicy. Season with some salt and black pepper.
Make it Cheesy: Cheese lovers, rejoice! Double up on the shredded cheddar cheese in your tacos for a gooey, creamy delight. Or, for a spicy kick, try using pepper jack cheese. The cheese not only adds texture but also enhances the overall flavor of the tacos.
Enchilada Style: For a fun twist on this chicken taco recipe, why not try making it enchilada style? Simply fill your tortillas with the chicken mixture, roll them up, place in an oven-safe dish, cover with enchilada sauce and cheese, and bake until bubbly. The result is a delicious cross between a taco and an enchilada!
Grilled Lemongrass Chicken: Instead of marinating the chicken with balsamic and soy sauce, I also love to use my Vietnamese grilled lemongrass chicken recipe for marinade as well which is has more of a sweet and savory lemongrass marinade with a smoky flavor from the grilling.
Thai Style: I also loved to use my grilled Thai coconut chicken skewers for this recipe as well in place of the balsamic marinade, which has more of a sweet and savory coconut flavor, and I love to also drizzle the easy peanut satay sauce over the tacos as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can definitely use chicken breasts if you prefer. However, keep in mind that chicken thighs tend to be juicier and more flavorful. If you use chicken breasts, you might need to adjust the cooking time to prevent them from drying out.
For extra crispy chicken tacos, you can add more tortilla chips on top of the chicken before chopping it up. Also, make sure to sear the chicken well on both sides in the skillet on medium heat.
You can customize these tacos with your favorite toppings! Some popular options include shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, slices, avocados or guacamole, and fresh cilantro. Don't forget to squeeze some lime juice on top for an extra kick!
Sure, you can use ground beef for this recipe. You would need to adjust the seasoning and cook time accordingly. Ground beef will give your tacos a different, but still delicious, flavor. In the same way, you can even go for some shredded chicken or rotisserie chicken.
Yes, you can use flour tortillas if you prefer. They are softer and larger than corn tortillas, so they can hold more fillings. However, for a truly authentic Mexican flavor, I recommend sticking with corn tortillas.
How to Store Leftover Crispy Chicken Tacos
You can easily store any leftover chicken, but I don't recommend refrigerating the tacos once they has been put together because the textures need to be enjoyed fresh to maintain that textures.
To refrigerate the chicken, place the leftover crispy chicken filling in an airtight container. These can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.
When it's time to enjoy your leftovers, preheat your frying pan to medium heat to reheat the chicken. You can add freshly chopped tortilla chips once the chicken has warmed all the way through to make it crispy again as well.
Once everything's hot and ready, just assemble your tacos and enjoy!
I don’t recommend freezing these crispy chicken tacos because it’ll alter the texture and consistency of all the ingredients. Since it only takes 25 minutes to make from scratch, I recommend making them fresh when possible.
Recipes To Use Up Leftover Lemongrass
More Delicious Recipes You Might Like
- Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Salsa
- Toasted Sesame Guacamole
- Sweet & Smoky Pineapple Chipotle Chili
- Spicy Sriracha Mayo
- Crispy Fried Chicken
- Sweet and Sour Pork
- Umami Beef and Pork Burgers
- Chicken Marsala Stuffed with Cheesy Caramelized Onions
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Recipe Card
Crispy Lemongrass Chicken Tacos
Joyce's Recipe Notes
- Any kind of tortilla chips will work for this recipe. I found that lightly toasting them for about 3-5 minutes in the oven before using them gave them an even better flavor and texture!
- For soft tortillas, we found that corn tortilla was the most flavorful and was best when lightly toasted on the stove. You can go with your favorite brand or type of tortillas (or use flour tortillas), and it will be just as good.
Topping Ideas
- Pickled Red Onions: Slice up a red onion thinly and add fresh lemon juice or lime juice and a pinch of salt to it. Let it sit and meld for about 30 minutes until soft. I highly recommend these pickled onions, they give a lot of flavor to tacos.
- Cheeses: You can add any type of cheese to tacos but the ones I find with the most flavor are feta, cotija (which is very similar to feta), and cheddar cheese (especially old or medium cheddar cheese).
- Sour Cream: If you love a bit of tang with a bit of butteriness, you definitely need to try adding sour cream to your tacos. It elevates the flavors and gives it a nice creaminess as well. I like to use a full fat sour cream.
- Chives and Green onions/Scallions: Green onions add a TON of flavor to tacos. It also gives it a bit of freshness as well.
- Cilantro: This one is a hit or miss for some people. I find parsley gives tacos a bit of a refreshing kick.
- Guacamole: I love adding guacamole in everything, especially in tacos. It adds creaminess and a bit of garlickiness as well and it pulls the taco flavors together. In a pinch, I will use my toasted sesame guacamole recipe which takes about 5 minutes to put together.
- Salsa: All tacos need an element of tang and salsa does the job. I personally love sweet and tangy salsas, and will always use my Sweet & Spicy Pineapple Salsa recipe to give my tacos a sweet and sour flavor.
- Vegetables: If you want to keep it simple, you can add classic vegetables like shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, avocado, pickled jalapenos or sliced peppers.
- Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice: It's a simple ingredient that will do magic to your chicken tacos.
Ingredients
- 6 boneless chicken thighs
- 6 soft corn tortilla shells
Chicken Marinade
- 3 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1-2 stalks lemongrass (approximately 2.5-3 tablespoons, finely chopped)
Garnishes for the Chicken
- 1-2 stalks green onion (finely chopped)
- handful tortilla chips (toasted in the oven for 3-5 minutes)
Instructions
Preparation
- Finely chop green onions and set aside for garnishing at the end
- Finely chop the garlic and lemongrass. Make sure to chop the lemongrass as fine as possible since it is a woody herb.Alternatively, you can chop the lemongrass into small pieces and blitz it in a food processor as well.(If you are using fresh lemongrass stalks, use the bottom half of the stalk only, which is about 2-3 inches, and discard the dried tips)
- In a large bowl, add the chicken with the chopped garlic, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, finely lemongrass, and 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar. Coat each piece of chicken well with the marinade and let it marinate for at least 1 hour in the fridge, but the longer you marinate it, the better it will taste. I like to marinate it for 2-3 hours.
Cooking the Chicken
- In a large skillet, add some oil and set the heat to medium heat
- Add the chicken to the pan, skin side down first, and sear the chicken. To get the brown skin, do not flip it for 1-2 minutes.To finish cooking the chicken, cook it for 3-4 minutes a side, for a total of about 8-10 minutes.
Making the Crispy Tacos
- Once the chicken is done, transfer it to a cutting board and place some tortilla chips on top of the chicken and chop it up together
- Add in the green onions and mix it with the chicken.
- Fill the soft tortilla shells with the crispy chicken filling, and build your tacos with toppings and enjoy!Alternatively, you can also place the crispy chicken filling in a bowl and let everyone assemble their own tacos.
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is calculated using online tools and is an estimate*
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Emily says
These sound perfect for Taco Tuesday!
Dannii says
I love any kind of tacos and I love lemongrass too, but I have never had them together. A great idea for our next taco night.
Valentina says
These tacos look and sound delish! Lemongrass is one of my favorite ingredients and I'm always looking for new ways to work it into recipes. Thanks!
Emily says
Lemongrass is such a delicious flavor! These chicken tacos look so amazing!