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Three Pineapple Chicken Tacos topped with fresh pineapple salsa, red onion, and cilantro, served with lime wedges on a speckled plate.
Linda

Pineapple Chicken Tacos

Juicy chicken thighs caramelized with sweet pineapple and warm spices, tucked into warm tortillas with a bright cilantro slaw.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican-Inspired
Calories: 385

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 cups fresh pineapple cored and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 3/4 tsp kosher salt divided
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
For the Slaw and Assembly
  • 2 cups green cabbage shredded
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • 2 tbsp lime juice freshly squeezed
  • 8 corn tortillas warmed

Equipment

  • Large Skillet or Cast Iron Pan
  • Small Bowl
  • Tongs

Method
 

Prep
  1. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Toss chicken with 1 tablespoon olive oil and the spice mixture until evenly coated. Let sit at room temperature while you prep the pineapple and slaw.
  2. Combine shredded cabbage, cilantro, lime juice, remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Toss well and set aside to soften slightly.
Cook
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add chicken in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 4 minutes until deeply golden on the bottom. Flip and cook 3 minutes more until just cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
  2. Add pineapple chunks to the same hot skillet. Cook over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until edges turn golden brown and caramelized in spots. The natural sugars will create some dark bits in the pan - that's flavor.
  3. Return chicken to the skillet with the pineapple. Toss together for 1 minute to coat the chicken in the sweet, sticky juices. Remove from heat.
Assemble
  1. Spoon chicken and pineapple mixture onto warm tortillas. Top with a generous handful of slaw. Serve immediately with extra lime wedges if desired.

Notes

Chicken thighs stay juicier than breast meat and stand up better to the high heat needed for caramelization. For a spicier version, add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne to the spice mix or finish with hot sauce. The slaw can be made 2 hours ahead and kept refrigerated; just toss again before serving.