Recipe

With just chicken, onions, and tortillas, you can make incredible street-style tacos in 20 minutes.

Skillet Charred Chicken & Onion Tacos

Name: Skillet Charred Chicken & Onion Tacos
Ingredients: 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, sliced into thin bite-sized strips; 1 large white or yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced; 4 small corn or flour tortillas; 1 1/2 tablespoons cooking oil; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin or chili powder (optional, if you have it)

Mexico

2 servings (4 tacos) and 20 minutes

Sources: Based on standard Mexican street taco methods, cross-checked with Rick Martínez and Serious Eats.

2 servings

You’ll need

7 items · tap to check off

Make it step by step

11 steps · 15 min of timed cooking

Toss the sliced chicken strips in a bowl with salt, black pepper, and ground cumin until evenly coated.
Set a large 12-inch skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil.
Add the sliced onions to the hot pan and cook undisturbed for 3 minutes until edges start to brown.⏱ 3 min
Stir the onions and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until tender and deeply caramelized, then transfer to a plate.⏱ 4 min
Pour the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of oil into the same hot skillet over high heat.
Add the seasoned chicken in a flat single layer so pieces do not overlap.
Sear the chicken without moving it for 3 minutes until deeply browned on the bottom.⏱ 3 min
Flip the chicken and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until completely cooked through and no longer pink inside.⏱ 3 min
Return the browned onions to the skillet with the chicken and toss together for 1 minute over medium heat.⏱ 1 min
Warm tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side until soft and pliable.⏱ 30 sec
Divide the sizzling chicken and onion mixture evenly among the warm tortillas and serve immediately.

💡

Chef’s tip · Don't stir the chicken immediately after it hits the skillet—letting it sit undisturbed creates the smoky browned crust that gives street tacos their flavor.

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