If you’re looking for a taco recipe that’s fresh, vibrant, and packed with flavor, these Shredded Chicken Tacos with Creamy Chimichurri Sauce are the answer. Imagine tender, juicy chicken, seasoned to perfection, topped with a creamy, herb-filled chimichurri sauce that brings it all together. The sauce adds that tangy kick that pairs beautifully with the savory chicken, and the freshness of the cilantro, parsley, and garlic is just everything! This recipe is a total crowd-pleaser, whether you’re hosting taco night or craving a quick weeknight dinner. Trust me, one bite and you’ll be hooked.
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Why You’ll Love Shredded Chicken Tacos with Creamy Chimichurri Sauce
Flavor-Packed: The chicken is seasoned just right, and the chimichurri sauce brings a bold, tangy, herbaceous punch to each bite.
Quick and Easy: You can have these tacos ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for those days when you want something delicious but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
Customizable: Top these tacos with your favorite toppings—whether it’s shredded cheese, avocado, or a squeeze of lime, it’s up to you. Make them as light or as decadent as you want!
Healthy-ish: The chicken is lean and packed with protein, and the chimichurri sauce is made with fresh, simple ingredients. A satisfying meal that won’t leave you feeling weighed down.
Perfect for Taco Night: These tacos are sure to steal the show at your next gathering. With that creamy chimichurri sauce, they’ve got just the right mix of creamy, zesty, and savory flavors that everyone will love.
Ingredients in Shredded Chicken Tacos with Creamy Chimichurri Sauce
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these taco beauties:
Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are perfect for shredding. They cook quickly and soak up all the flavor from the seasonings.
Taco Seasoning: A simple seasoning mix of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper will give the chicken the perfect depth of flavor. You can always use a store-bought taco seasoning for convenience.
Olive Oil: For cooking the chicken. It keeps everything juicy and helps with the searing.
Corn or Flour Tortillas: Soft tortillas are essential for these tacos. You can use corn for a gluten-free option or flour for a slightly more tender texture.
Fresh Cilantro: Adds a bright and fresh touch to your tacos, both in the chicken mixture and as a garnish.
Creamy Chimichurri Sauce: This is the showstopper! Made with parsley, cilantro, garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, and a dash of cream for richness. The tanginess of the chimichurri complements the chicken beautifully.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Ready to whip up these delicious tacos? Follow these simple steps:
Cook the Chicken: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with taco seasoning, then cook them in the skillet for about 6-8 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove from heat and let rest for a few minutes before shredding.
Shred the Chicken: Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Toss the shredded chicken with any juices from the pan for extra flavor. If desired, add a little more taco seasoning to taste.
Make the Chimichurri Sauce: In a food processor, combine fresh cilantro, parsley, garlic, red wine vinegar, and olive oil. Pulse until finely chopped. Add a splash of cream to make it nice and creamy, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Blend again until smooth.
Assemble the Tacos: Warm the tortillas in a skillet or microwave. Place a generous amount of shredded chicken on each tortilla. Drizzle with the creamy chimichurri sauce, then top with fresh cilantro and any other toppings you like, such as diced tomatoes, avocado, or a squeeze of lime.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve your shredded chicken tacos with extra chimichurri sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy the bright, tangy flavors in every bite!
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Calories per serving: Approx. 350–400 (depending on portion size and toppings)
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
How to Serve Shredded Chicken Tacos with Creamy Chimichurri Sauce
These tacos are perfect on their own, but here are a few ideas to round out your meal:
Mexican Rice: A fluffy side of Mexican rice will complement the tacos and soak up the extra chimichurri sauce.
Refried Beans or Black Beans: Beans add protein and make the meal even heartier. You can go for traditional refried beans or serve black beans for a lighter option.
Crisp Slaw: Serve these tacos with a tangy slaw made from shredded cabbage, lime, and a touch of vinegar for some extra crunch and freshness.
Grilled Vegetables: Grilled corn, bell peppers, and zucchini would be a great addition to this meal, adding smoky flavors that pair perfectly with the chicken.
Avocado or Guacamole: You can never go wrong with a little creaminess from avocado or fresh guacamole on top of these tacos. It adds richness and balances out the spice from the chimichurri.
Additional Tips
Shred the Chicken Quickly: For quicker shredding, use a hand mixer or stand mixer on low speed to shred the chicken in a flash!
Make It Spicy: If you like a bit more heat, throw in some crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to your chimichurri sauce or taco seasoning.
Meal Prep: Shredded chicken can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. The chimichurri sauce also stores well for a few days, so it’s easy to prep these tacos ahead of time and assemble when you’re ready to eat.
Customizable Toppings: Mix and match your favorite taco toppings. Diced onions, shredded cheese, and sour cream all work wonderfully with these tacos.
Grilled Chicken Option: If you prefer, you can also grill the chicken breasts instead of cooking them in a skillet. Grilled chicken adds a smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the fresh, tangy chimichurri sauce.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
A1: Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut. Simply shred it and toss it with the taco seasoning before assembling the tacos.
Q2: Can I make the chimichurri sauce ahead of time?
A2: Yes! Chimichurri sauce actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors have time to meld together. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Q3: Can I make these tacos with beef or pork?
A3: Yes! This recipe works well with other proteins. Use shredded beef or pork in place of chicken and adjust the seasoning to your taste.
Q4: How do I store leftovers?
A4: Store leftover chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers. The chicken will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days, while the chimichurri sauce lasts up to 4 days.
Q5: Can I freeze the chicken?
A5: Yes! You can freeze the shredded chicken for up to 3 months. When ready to use, simply thaw and reheat.
Q6: Can I make the chimichurri sauce without cream?
A6: Yes! If you prefer a dairy-free version, you can omit the cream. The sauce will still have a vibrant, tangy flavor thanks to the fresh herbs and vinegar.
Q7: How do I make the sauce spicier?
A7: Add some diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chimichurri sauce for an extra kick.
Q8: Can I use hard taco shells instead of soft tortillas?
A8: Of course! Hard taco shells would work just as well. They’ll add a satisfying crunch to the tacos.
Q9: Can I make these tacos in advance?
A9: While the chicken and sauce can be made ahead of time, it’s best to assemble the tacos just before serving for the freshest taste.
Q10: Can I use a store-bought chimichurri sauce?
A10: Yes! If you’re short on time, a store-bought chimichurri sauce can work in a pinch. However, making it fresh gives it a brighter, more vibrant flavor.
Final Thoughts
These Shredded Chicken Tacos with Creamy Chimichurri Sauce are the perfect taco recipe to shake up your weeknight dinner routine. With that delicious, tangy sauce and perfectly seasoned chicken, every bite is a flavor explosion. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or enjoying a solo taco night, these tacos are sure to become a new favorite. Grab your tortillas, and let’s taco ’bout a delicious meal!
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Shredded Chicken Tacos with Creamy Chimichurri Sauce
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 tacos
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan-fry
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
These Shredded Chicken Tacos with Creamy Chimichurri Sauce are packed with flavor and make for a fresh, vibrant meal. The juicy shredded chicken is complemented by a creamy, zesty chimichurri sauce that takes the tacos to the next level.
Ingredients
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Instructions
For the Creamy Chimichurri Sauce: In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, minced shallot, chopped parsley, chopped cilantro, garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and kosher salt. Stir until smooth and well combined. Set aside.,For the Shredded Chicken Filling: Heat avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breast with garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked and no longer pink in the center. Remove from heat and shred the chicken with two forks.,Add the sliced jalapeno, chopped red onion, and cilantro to the shredded chicken, mixing well to combine.,To Assemble: Warm the flour tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave. Place a few spoonfuls of the shredded chicken mixture on each tortilla.,Top the chicken with shredded romaine lettuce, sliced red onion, avocado slices, and crumbled feta cheese.,Drizzle with the creamy chimichurri sauce and serve immediately.
Notes
You can make the creamy chimichurri sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.,For extra heat, add more jalapeno or drizzle some hot sauce on top.,You can substitute the flour tortillas with corn tortillas if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 50mg