Easy Shredded Chicken Tacos With Creamy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe

Every home cook craves a mouthwatering chicken taco that bursts with zesty flavors and unexpected twists.

Mexican-inspired dishes bring comfort straight to our dinner tables.

Tender shredded chicken becomes magical when paired with a vibrant chimichurri sauce that adds incredible complexity.

Bright herbs and tangy notes dance across each bite, promising an exciting culinary adventure.

Weeknight meals can feel extraordinary with this simple yet impressive recipe.

Crafting these tacos lets you create restaurant-quality magic in your own kitchen.

Dive into this delectable journey and wow everyone at the table.

Shredded Chicken Tacos With Herby Chimichurri Cream

• Savor Quick Weeknight Comfort: This chicken taco recipe delivers delicious meals in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy families craving homemade dinners without extensive cooking time.
• Customize Your Flavor Adventure: The recipe allows endless personalization with flexible ingredients like swapping proteins, adjusting spice levels, or modifying toppings to match individual taste preferences.
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: Professional-level chimichurri sauce transforms simple chicken into a gourmet experience, bringing sophisticated flavors to your kitchen without complicated techniques or expensive ingredients.
• Balanced Nutrition Powerhouse: Packed with lean protein from chicken, fresh vegetables, healthy fats from avocado, and probiotics from Greek yogurt, this dish offers a nutritionally complete meal that tastes incredible.

Ingredients for Shredded Chicken Tacos and Chimichurri Sauce

• Chicken Breast: Lean protein that forms the base of the taco filling, best when fresh and at room temperature before cooking.

• Garlic Powder, Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasoning blend that enhances chicken's natural flavor, choose freshly ground pepper for best taste.

• Greek Yogurt, Mayonnaise: Creamy base for chimichurri sauce, full-fat versions provide richer texture.
• Olive Oil, Red Wine Vinegar: Add brightness and depth to sauce's flavor profile.

• Parsley, Cilantro: Fresh herbs that provide vibrant green color and aromatic taste, choose bright green leaves without wilting.

• Jalapeños, Red Onions: Add heat and sharp flavor to chicken mixture, remove jalapeño seeds for less intense spiciness.

• Flour Tortillas: Soft wrap for holding taco fillings, warm before serving.
• Romaine Lettuce: Adds crunch and freshness.
• Avocado: Creamy, rich topping with healthy fats.
• Feta Cheese: Tangy cheese that complements chicken.

• Shallot, Garlic: Provide subtle, sharp undertones to chimichurri sauce, fresh is always better than pre-chopped.

Chicken Taco Instructions with Creamy Chimichurri Sauce

Step 1: Whip Up Creamy Chimichurri Sauce

• Greek yogurt
• Mayonnaise
• Minced shallot
• Parsley
• Cilantro
• Olive oil
• Red wine vinegar
• Garlic
• Salt

Whisk everything until smooth and creamy.

Give it a quick taste and adjust salt if needed.

Set aside for later.

Step 2: Season Chicken Perfectly

• Garlic powder
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Sprinkle the seasoning generously over the chicken, ensuring every inch gets covered.

Let the chicken hang out at room temperature for about 10 minutes to soak up those delicious flavors.

Step 3: Sizzle the Chicken

Heat avocado oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Carefully place the seasoned chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side.

You’re looking for a beautiful golden-brown exterior and a fully cooked interior (check that internal temperature hits 165°F).

Once done, transfer the chicken to a bowl, cover with foil, and let it rest for 5 minutes before shredding.

Step 4: Caramelize Jalapeños and Onions

Use the same skillet and add a splash of water to capture all those tasty browned bits.

• Sliced jalapeños
• Chopped red onions

Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables become soft and develop slightly crispy edges.

Step 5: Combine Chicken and Veggies

Shred the rested chicken and return it to the skillet along with its flavorful juices.

Mix with the jalapeños and onions, then sprinkle in some fresh chopped cilantro.

Give everything a good stir and turn off the heat.

Step 6: Assemble Mouthwatering Tacos

Warm up those flour tortillas.

• Shredded romaine
• Sliced avocado
• Shredded chicken mixture

Finish by sprinkling crumbled feta cheese and drizzling that amazing creamy chimichurri sauce on top.

Get ready for a flavor explosion!

Taco Night Wins with Chimichurri Chicken Shreds

• Select your preferred chicken cooking method like grilling, baking, or instant pot for versatile meal preparation.
• Let chicken marinate in seasoning blend for 30 minutes before cooking to enhance deeper taste profiles and tenderness.
• Remove jalapeño seeds for milder heat or add extra seeds for more kick, tailoring the recipe to personal spice preferences.
• Prepare chimichurri sauce ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 3 days, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
• Swap flour tortillas with lettuce wraps for low-carb option or use gluten-free tortillas to accommodate different dietary restrictions.

Store Chicken Tacos with Chimichurri Sauce

• Store leftover shredded chicken mixture and creamy chimichurri sauce separately in airtight containers for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Allow cooked chicken and sauce to reach room temperature before sealing containers to prevent condensation and bacterial growth.
• Warm shredded chicken mixture in microwave-safe dish for 45-60 seconds, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Add splash of water to maintain moisture.
• Prepare fresh tortillas and toppings when reheating to prevent sogginess. Quickly reheat chicken, then assemble tacos with crisp ingredients for best texture and flavor.

Chicken Tacos with Chimichurri Sauce Sides

• Flavor-Boosting Wine Pairing: Select a crisp, zesty Sauvignon Blanc or Albariño to complement the tangy chimichurri sauce and cut through the richness of the chicken and feta.
• Refreshing Cocktail Companion: Mix a classic margarita with fresh lime juice and silver tequila, which will enhance the bright, herbal notes of the chimichurri and balance the spicy jalapeños.
• Craft Beer Match: Choose a light Mexican lager like Modelo Especial or a hoppy pale ale, offering a clean, crisp backdrop that highlights the taco's complex flavor profile without overwhelming the delicate sauce.
• Mocktail Alternative: Blend a cucumber-mint agua fresca with sparkling water, creating a cooling, herbaceous drink that mirrors the fresh herbs in the chimichurri and provides a palate-cleansing experience.

Chicken Tacos with Chimichurri Sauce Variants

• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace chicken with grilled or crispy tofu, seasoned identically to create a plant-based version that maintains the same flavor profile and texture.
• Spicy Seafood Edition: Substitute chicken with seared shrimp or white fish, adjusting cooking time to ensure proper doneness while keeping the chimichurri sauce and vegetable components intact.
• Low-Carb Lettuce Wrap Alternative: Skip tortillas and serve the chicken mixture inside large butter lettuce leaves, creating a lighter, gluten-free option that remains high in protein and flavor.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Use cauliflower tortillas or cheese wraps instead of traditional flour tortillas, keeping the protein and sauce unchanged to accommodate low-carbohydrate dietary needs.

FAQs

• What makes the chimichurri sauce creamy?

The Greek yogurt and mayonnaise create a smooth, tangy base that transforms traditional chimichurri into a rich, creamy sauce with fresh herb flavors.

• Can I use a different type of meat for this recipe?

Absolutely! This recipe works great with boneless chicken thighs, pork shoulder, or even shredded beef. Just ensure the meat is cooked to the proper internal temperature.

• How spicy are the jalapeños in this recipe?

The jalapeños can be mild or spicy depending on whether you remove the seeds. For less heat, remove the seeds and membranes before cooking. If you love spice, keep them in.

• What if I don't have avocado oil for cooking?

You can substitute with olive oil or vegetable oil. Each will work fine for cooking the chicken and vegetables, though avocado oil has a higher smoke point and neutral flavor.

Shredded Chicken Tacos With Creamy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Zesty shredded chicken tacos with creamy chimichurri sauce bring Argentina’s bold flavors to your dinner table. Juicy seasoned chicken nestled in warm tortillas creates a mouthwatering experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) chicken breast
• 1/2 medium avocado, sliced or diced
• 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese

Vegetables and Herbs:

• 2 tablespoons minced shallot
• 1 small clove garlic, pressed or grated
• 1 small jalapeno, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1 1/2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
• 1 heaping tablespoon finely chopped parsley
• 1 heaping tablespoon finely chopped cilantro

Sauces, Oils, and Seasonings:

• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons avocado oil
• 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

Additional Items:

• 6 small flour tortillas (about 5 diameter)

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Instructions

1. Craft the zesty chimichurri fusion by whisking Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, shallot, parsley, cilantro, olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and salt into a silky, vibrant sauce. Taste and refine seasoning, then reserve at room temperature.
2. Create a robust seasoning blend of garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Thoroughly coat chicken breasts, allowing flavors to meld for approximately 10 minutes.
3. Sear chicken in hot avocado oil over medium heat, developing a golden exterior. Cook each side for 4-5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a covered vessel, letting meat rest and retain moisture.
4. Utilize the same skillet, deglazing with water to capture flavorful remnants. Introduce sliced jalapeños and chopped red onions, sautéing until they soften and develop slight caramelization.
5. Meticulously shred rested chicken, reuniting it with the sautéed vegetables. Incorporate fresh cilantro, thoroughly combining ingredients and removing from heat.
6. Gently warm flour tortillas to enhance flexibility. Construct layered tacos by adding crisp romaine, creamy avocado slices, and seasoned chicken mixture. Garnish with crumbled feta and generously drizzle chimichurri sauce for a vibrant finish.

Notes

• Customize heat levels by adjusting jalapeño quantity or removing seeds for milder flavor.
• Swap chicken with tofu or jackfruit for vegetarian-friendly alternative that maintains similar texture and protein content.
• Use Greek yogurt as healthier substitute for mayonnaise to reduce calories and increase protein in chimichurri sauce.
• Marinate chicken beforehand in lime juice and additional spices for deeper flavor penetration and more tender meat.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 465
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg