Chili Lime Chicken Tacos: 5 Delicious Reasons to Try

Name: Chili Lime Chicken Tacos with Grilled Pineapple Salsa
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients: 1½ lbs chicken thighs or breasts; 2 tbsp olive oil; Zest + juice of 2 limes; 1½ tsp chili powder; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1½ cups fresh pineapple slices (grilled); ¼ red onion, finely chopped; 1 jalapeño, minced; Juice of 1 lime; Handful chopped cilantro; Salt to taste; 1 ripe avocado; ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt; Juice of ½ lime; Salt to taste; 8 small corn or flour tortillas; Optional: Cotija cheese, extra lime wedges

Jump to Recipe

Say hello to your new favorite taco: smoky chili lime grilled chicken, topped with sweet and spicy grilled pineapple salsa, all drizzled with avocado crema on warm tortillas. This isn’t your average Tuesday night taco—this is a flavor bomb. It’s fresh, bright, a little fiery, and exactly what you want in a Tex-Mex taco recipe.

People have called these “bursting with flavor,” and I can’t blame them. One bite and you’ll know: sweet, spicy, creamy, citrusy—every layer hits just right. Whether it’s taco night or a backyard BBQ, this quick weeknight taco dinner works.

Why You’ll Love These Best Chili Lime Chicken Tacos

Sweet, smoky, tangy flavor combo that just works
Chili lime chicken is tender and loaded with citrus-spice punch
Super quick and meal-prep friendly
A genuinely healthy chicken taco recipe
Works with grill, grill pan, or oven
Great for leftovers—just reheat and rebuild

Ingredients for Chili Lime Chicken Tacos with Grilled Pineapple Salsa

Chili Lime Chicken

1½ lbs chicken thighs or breasts
2 tbsp olive oil
Zest + juice of 2 limes (lime zest and juice)
1½ tsp chili powder
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp kosher salt

Grilled Pineapple Salsa

1½ cups fresh pineapple slices (grilled pineapple)
¼ red onion, finely chopped
1 jalapeño, minced (or less for milder)
Juice of 1 lime
Handful chopped cilantro
Salt to taste

Avocado Crema

1 ripe avocado
¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
Juice of ½ lime
Salt to taste

Taco Assembly

8 small corn or flour tortillas
Optional: Cotija cheese, extra lime wedges

Step-by-Step Instructions for Chili Lime Chicken Tacos

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Toss the chicken with oil, lime zest and juice, chili powder, garlic, and salt. Mix well and marinate for 30 minutes minimum—or overnight if you’ve got time.

Why? Lime juice tenderizes. Chili adds a smoky backbone. That combo? It’s what makes this chili lime marinade sing.

Step 2: Grill the Chicken

Preheat your grill or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Lay the chicken down and don’t touch it for a few minutes—you want that crust.

Cook ~6–7 minutes per side until it hits 165°F internally. Let it rest 5 minutes before slicing.

This is key. Don’t skip the rest—those juices? That’s gold. And if you overcrowd the pan? You’re steaming, not searing.

Step 3: Make the Salsa

Grill pineapple slices until charred. Dice ’em up. Mix with onion, jalapeño, lime juice, cilantro, and a pinch of salt.

Grilling pineapple concentrates the sweetness and adds smoke—that’s what makes these spicy pineapple chicken tacos stand out.

Step 4: Blend the Avocado Crema

Toss avocado, sour cream, lime juice, and salt into a blender. Blend until smooth and drizzly.

Too thick? Thin it with a splash of water or more lime juice. You want it silky—something you can drizzle, not dollop.

Step 5: Assemble the Tacos

Warm tortillas until soft and springy. Slice the rested chicken. Load up each tortilla with chicken, spoon on salsa, and drizzle with avocado crema. Finish with cheese and a squeeze of lime if you like.

Presentation tip: Show off those grill marks. Use color. Don’t overfill—let every bite shine.

Tips for Sweet and Tangy Taco Ideas That Work Every Time

Pineapple selection: Use fresh, ripe pineapple—not canned.
Tortilla tip: Warm them right before serving. A dry skillet works wonders.
Crema customization: Add cumin or hot sauce for a kick.
Spice control: Remove jalapeño seeds for a milder salsa.
Grilling advice: Oil your grates. Hot grill = better char, not stuck meat.
Use a meat thermometer: No guesswork. 165°F = juicy, safe chicken.

Make-Ahead Instructions

Chicken: Marinate up to 24 hours ahead. Or cook and store for 3 days.
Salsa: Holds up for 24 hours, but freshest the day of.
Crema: Keeps for 1 day in the fridge, tightly sealed.

Recipe Variations

Salsa swaps: Try mango, peach, or even charred corn salsa.
Vegetarian version: Use grilled portobello or tofu strips.
Add-ins: Black beans, slaw, chopped cucumber.
Fruit swaps: Grilled nectarines or plums for a twist.
Low-carb: Serve over lettuce cups or in a taco bowl.

Storage & Reheating

Item	How to Store	Shelf Life	Reheat Tips
Chili Lime Chicken	Airtight container	3–4 days	Reheat in skillet or oven
Pineapple Salsa	Sealed container	1–2 days	Best served cold or room temp
Avocado Crema	Covered tightly	1 day	Stir before using
Tortillas	Zip bag	3 days	Warm on pan before serving

Serving Suggestions for Mexican Chicken Tacos

Mexican rice or cilantro lime rice
Grilled corn or elote
Simple side salad or slaw
Chopped fruit salad (think watermelon + mint)

Taco night upgrades:

[Carne Asada Tacos]
[Garlic Lime Shrimp Tacos]
[Spicy Fish Tacos]

If you’re loving these Chili Lime Chicken Tacos with Grilled Pineapple Salsa, here are some other bold, summery, and flavor-packed recipes from the blog that pair perfectly:

For more grilled fruit goodness: try grilled peaches with vanilla ice cream—another summer classic that brings out that caramelized sweetness.
Craving more tropical vibes? Check out our sweet Hawaiian crockpot chicken for a slow-cooked, juicy dinner fix.
Want more heat and citrus? You’ll love fiesta lime chicken—a spicy, zesty recipe that shares the same flavor DNA.
Salsa lovers, don’t miss how to make chipotle corn salsa—a smoky, sweet, spicy topping that’s great on tacos or chips.
Build a meal with street corn chicken rice bowl—loaded with grilled chicken, corn, and Southwest flair.
Looking for a tangy drizzle? Try this honey lime dressing—a bright counterpoint to your avocado crema.
Side dish perfection: serve your tacos with elote pasta salad, full of smoky corn and creamy dressing goodness.

FAQ

How long to marinate chili lime chicken?

At least 30 minutes, but up to 24 hours for max flavor.

Can I prep the grilled pineapple salsa in advance?

Yep—make it a day ahead, but fresh is always better.

Is this a healthy chicken taco recipe?

Absolutely. Lean protein, healthy fats, fresh fruit—it checks the boxes.

How spicy are these spicy pineapple chicken tacos?

Medium heat. Dial it up or down by adjusting jalapeño and chili powder.

Vegetarian or low-carb options?

Try grilled mushrooms or tofu, and serve in lettuce wraps.

Final Bite: The Chicken Taco You Want to Eat

This isn’t just another taco—it’s the one that makes your guests stop and go, “Whoa.” The grilled pineapple, the chili lime marinade, that silky avocado crema—they all pull their weight.

So fire up that grill or skillet. This is the chicken taco you want to eat.

Ready to level up your taco night?
Leave a comment, share it around, or follow us on Pinterest for more flavor-packed taco recipes and dinner ideas! You’ll find everything from spicy chicken tacos with crema to sweet and tangy taco ideas that’ll keep your weeknights interesting.

Chili Lime Chicken Tacos with Grilled Pineapple Salsa

Why You’ll Love These Best Chili Lime Chicken Tacos

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