These chicken tacos with a tomatillo salsa are AMAZING! They are amazingly delicious and amazingly easy. So what are you waiting for! Go make some!
It’s the beginning of May and you know what that means, warmer weather, schools starting to end and Cinco De Mayo! Cinco De Mayo is just another reason to eat tacos! And I love tacos!
Pretty much every time I go to a Mexican restaurant I order tacos. I’ve had good ones and not so good ones, but overall it’s a taco so I’m pretty happy. My favorite tacos EVER come from a little hole in the wall restaurant in Taos, NM, called Toribios.
When I was working as a geologist, I had to oversee work being done at the landfill in Taos. Living the life right? I’ve been to so many landfills in NM as a geologist- who knew that’s what my work would entail! Anyways back to tacos…
One of the nearest places to the landfill (and it wasn’t super close because who wants to have a restaurant near a landfill!) to grab food was Toribios. Shown to me by a coworker, after my first visit I was hooked. Every day I would order their Tacos Al Pastor with some rice and calabacitas (green chile and squash). Oh my goodness those tacos!! AMAZING!
Even though I was working at a landfill all day for several weeks – which honestly isn’t bad at all and not nearly as smelly as a waste water treatment plant (another story for another time…), I looked forward to those tacos every day!
Even last October, when my husband and I were driving up to a wedding in Colorado, I made sure we detoured to Taos (a couple hour detour), just to have those tacos. My husband had never had them before and even he said they were the best he’s had too.
Now, whenever I go to a restaurant that advertises tacos al pastor I have to try them, but they are never anywhere near as good as Toribios. I once tried making my own al pastor and it tasted horrible. Ended up throwing it all out L, but that just means I have to visit Taos every now and then for some tacos. Which isn’t bad at all J.
Taos is known for its beautiful surroundings, the great culture, shopping, and its food. And now, definitely its tacos! If you are ever there the two things you must do are go get tacos from Toribos (obviously!) and then go visit the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. Seriously an awesome sight and you will pass the landfill on the way… so you can think of me haha.
Okay, so now that you know how seriously I take my tacos, you need to try these delicious chicken tacos with a homemade salsa verde salsa! They may not be al pastor tacos, but they are still super good and something I make all the time for dinner!
They are super easy to make and delicious. PS I'm pretty sure this is my longest blog post- because I am so excited about tacos haha! I could talk about them all day! But I won't because you need to go make these!
How to make shredded chicken tacos:
- I used some leftover smoked chicken that I shredded, but you can cook up some in the oven or on a stove or even use a rotisserie one from the store. Rotisserie chicken from the store is still tasty and much quicker than smoking chicken, although smoked chicken is amazing and you should use it if you have it!
- Make your salsa. It’s as simple as boiling some of the ingredients and then blending everything in a food processor or blender. Simple, fast and delicious! The salsa will be warm, which tastes fine, but you can always stick a bowl full in the freezer to cool it down quickly for your tacos.
- Fry up some tacos shells and then assemble.
- Then eat to your heart’s content! Or at least your stomach’s!
This easy chicken taco recipe with an even easier tomatillo salsa recipe is so good you’ll be making it all the time!
What are your favorite types of tacos and salsas? Which type should I try next? Do you have a favorite taco place like me? Leave me a comment below because I’d love to know!
Enjoy this with a refreshing mint julep (nonalcoholic!) and some homemade brownies for dessert! Also check out my easy steak tacos with mango salsa!
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Chicken Tacos with an Easy Green Salsa Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ lb chicken cooked and shredded* rotisserie chicken works great!
- 6 corn tortilla
- ¼ oil for frying tortillas (optional)
- 1 cup yellow or white onion diced for garnish
- ½ cup cilantro rinsed and chopped for garnish
- Limes for garnish
Salsa Verde Recipe
- 9 Tomatillos husked and rinsed
- ½ large yellow onion
- 1 jalapeno stem and seeds removed
- 4 garlic cloves peeled
- 1 cup cilantro
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
How to make taco shells:
- If frying up the tortillas, which I recommended, heat oil over medium high heat in a large fry pan. After a minute or two dip a small part of a corn tortilla in the oil to test if the oil is hot enough. It will be hot enough if it starts bubbling and frying the tortilla right away!
- Place your tortilla in the hot oil and after about 30 seconds flip it. Then after another 30-45 seconds fold your corn tortilla in half forming a taco shell.
- Fry each side of the shell until it is browned to your desired level of doneness.
How to make salsa verde:
- After you have peeled and rinsed your tomatillos, cut of the stems and then place them in a medium sized pot. Add in your onion half and jalapeno. Fill the pot with water until it covers the tomatillos and they start to float.
- Bring water to boil over medium high heat and boil until the tomatillos turn from a bright green to an olive green. This takes from 5-10 minutes.
- Once they’ve changed colors, transfer all the tomatillos, the onion, and the jalapeno to a food processor or blender. Do not add any of the water.
- Add in the remaining garlic, cilantro and spices to the food processor and process for 30-60 seconds, or until it is to your desired level of chunkiness.
Assembling the chicken tacos:
- If you are using leftover chicken or if it’s cold for some reason, warm it up in the microwave or over the stove.
- Take a taco shell and fill it with shredded chicken. Add salsa and top with extra diced onions and cilantro! Squeeze on some fresh lime juice and..
- Enjoy!
Stine Mari
Oh I loved to read your story! I SO wish I could go to Taos now, haha. I don't know, but I made tacos al pastor at home (got the recipe on the site if you wonder) and I think it tastes amazing! Maybe it helps that I haven't tasted the heaven on earth that those al pastors obviously seem to be. And of course, as always, the recipe for this also looks amazing (I only wish I could find tomatillos here, oh well guess I have to visit NM... :D)
Lisa
Ooh I'll check out your recipe! And yes come to NM and say hi!
Fred Nonterah
This recipe will be a great one for all the weekend festivities especially those of us who live in the Southwest. My wife loves a good taco I'll probably surprise her with your recipe this weekend.
Lisa
Fun!
Karlton
I love your salsa! It would also be great on flautas. Thanks for sharing your delicious creation.
Lisa
Ooh good idea!
Tara
I’m a wuss when it comes to spice, but I find salsa verde is usually mild enough for me. And homemade salsa is always so much better than store-bought. These tacos look so fresh and flavorful! I’m pinning for later.
Lisa
This is very mild so you will definitely enjoy it! Just make sure to scrape out the jalapeno seeds so there is very little heat! Hope you like it!
Camila
This looks amazing! So cool to hear about your experience in Taos!!
Casey
I am loving that salsa verde! I've been meaning to make my own for some time now, you have inspired me!!
sapana
I wish we could get tomatilo in my part of the world as I love them in salsa. Very inviting looking tacos.
Stephanie
I love, love, love tacos!! I totally need to make these ones soon 🙂
Adriana
Salsa verde is a staple of my Mexican cuisine and my husband who is not Mexican asks me for it everyday so I alwasy keep fresh salsa for him in the fridge, I am glad you are fan of my kind of food.
Kacie
I love everything about this dish - even the tortillas alone look absolutely mouthwatering! Mmmm.
Arjhon
We love tacos and planning to make this weekend. This is perfect looks so delicious and easy to make. Also excited to try your Salsa verde recipe.
Lisa
Hope you like it!
sondria Harp
I love chicken taco and I've never had homemade green salsa, can't wait to make this.
Linda | Brunch-n-Bites
Oh wow! Sounds like you had a fun trip as a geologist. And this chicken tacos sounds amazing! Perfect for my next gathering.