Description
These Ridiculously Good Chicken Tacos with Green Sauce are an easy and flavorful meal featuring juicy air-fried chicken thighs seasoned with taco spices and topped with a creamy avocado-cilantro lime sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or casual gatherings, these tacos combine bold flavors with a fresh, zesty sauce that elevates the classic taco experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 clove garlic, grated (or 1 tsp garlic paste, or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 2–3 tablespoons taco seasoning (Siete brand recommended)
Green Sauce
- 1/2 avocado
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 3-ounce chunk cotija cheese
- 1 big handful cilantro stems and leaves (about 1/2 cup)
- 1 clove garlic
- Juice of 1–2 limes (about 2 tablespoons)
- 2 tablespoons water (add more as needed)
For Serving
- Tortillas (corn or flour as preferred)
- Limes, cilantro, and diced onion for topping
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs if desired. Toss the chicken with soy sauce, avocado oil, and grated garlic. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the chicken and mix thoroughly to coat evenly.
- Cook the Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken thighs into the basket of an air fryer. Set the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and cook for 10-12 minutes until the chicken is golden, crusty, and cooked through while remaining juicy.
- Make the Sauce: While the chicken cooks, combine avocado, mayo, cotija cheese, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, and water in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth. Adjust consistency by adding more water if too thick or more avocado/mayo if too thin.
- Chop the Chicken: Once cooked, let the chicken rest for a few minutes. Then roughly chop or shred into bite-sized pieces. Squeeze a little lime juice over the chopped chicken to enhance the flavor.
- Assemble the Tacos: Spread a dollop of the green sauce on each tortilla, add the chopped chicken, and top with fresh cilantro, diced onion, and extra lime wedges for squeezing. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious tacos!
Notes
- Alternative Cooking Method: If you don’t have an air fryer, the chicken can be cooked in a skillet over medium-high heat until golden and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes per side.
- Taco Seasoning: Adjust the amount of taco seasoning to taste depending on your spice preference.
- Sauce Thickness: The green sauce can be adjusted for thickness by adding more water for a thinner consistency or more avocado or mayo for a thicker sauce.
- Serving Suggestion: Warm the tortillas before assembling for the best texture and flavor.
- Leftover Storage: Store any leftover chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: chicken tacos, air fryer chicken, green sauce, avocado sauce, taco recipe, quick dinner, Mexican food
