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Ancho chicken tacos with corn tortillas, cabbage, chicken, avocado, cilantro, and lime

Ancho Chicken Tacos with Corn Tortillas and Cabbage

Ancho chicken tacos are quick, flavorful tacos with tender browned chicken, fresh toppings, and a smoky chile coating. They are an easy weeknight meal with a balance of hearty filling and crisp texture.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 165
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
Taco Seasoning
  • 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour (all purpose also works)
  • 2 teaspoons ancho chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon southwestern or taco seasoning
  • a generous pinch of salt and pepper
Tortillas
  • 12 small corn tortillas
Cabbage and Cilantro
  • a few green cabbage leaves, shredded
  • one bunch cilantro, chopped
Toppings
  • toppings: lime wedges, sour cream, jalapeño slices, avocado slices, minced green or red onions

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Combine the shredded cabbage and chopped cilantro in a bowl, then prepare the remaining taco toppings.
  2. Mix the flour, ancho chili powder, southwestern seasoning, and salt and pepper together in a shallow dish.
Cooking
  1. Heat the oil in a heavy-duty pan over medium-high heat. Cut the chicken breasts into halves or quarters, coat them in the flour mixture, and place them in the pan.
  2. Cook the chicken for a few minutes, turn the pieces, and continue cooking for another few minutes until the exterior is browned and the inside is no longer pink.
  3. Remove the chicken from the heat, add a little more salt if desired, and let it rest for a few minutes before cutting or shredding into small pieces.
Assembly
  1. Warm the corn tortillas and fill them with the chicken, cabbage mixture, and desired toppings.
  2. Finish the tacos with lime juice and jalapeños for extra flavor.

Notes

Reheated leftover chicken can be warmed in a pan with a little water and simmered briefly, creating a softer texture and a slightly saucier result. The tacos are relatively mild as written, so extra flavor and heat can be added with toppings such as spicy salsa, jalapeños, or diced red onions added raw or sautéed with the chicken.