Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe combines juicy, seasoned chicken with a luscious, cheesy queso sauce that brings every bite to life. It’s simple to prepare but packed with bold flavors, making it ideal for busy nights or easy entertaining. The creamy queso adds a comforting richness, while fresh toppings like cilantro and lime brighten the dish. Plus, it’s versatile—you can customize your toppings and serve the tacos with your favorite sides.
Ingredients
-
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
-
1 tbsp olive oil
-
1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade seasoning)
-
1 cup prepared queso dip (store-bought or homemade)
-
8 small corn or flour tortillas
-
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
-
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
-
1/4 cup diced red onion
-
Lime wedges, for serving
-
Optional toppings: shredded lettuce, sliced jalapeños, sour cream, avocado slices
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
-
Cook the Chicken:
-
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
-
Add chicken pieces and sprinkle with taco seasoning. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and lightly browned.
-
-
Add Queso:
-
Reduce heat to low and pour the queso dip over the chicken.
-
Stir gently to coat the chicken evenly with the queso sauce. Cook for another 2 minutes until heated through.
-
-
Warm the Tortillas:
-
Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until soft and pliable.
-
-
Assemble the Tacos:
-
Spoon the queso chicken mixture onto each tortilla.
-
Top with diced tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and any additional desired toppings.
-
-
Serve:
-
Serve tacos with lime wedges for squeezing over the top.
-
Servings and Timing
-
Servings: 4 (2 tacos per serving)
-
Prep time: 10 minutes
-
Cook time: 15 minutes
-
Total time: 25 minutes
Variations
-
Spicy Kick: Add sliced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce for extra heat.
-
Vegetarian Option: Substitute chicken with sautéed mushrooms, cauliflower, or black beans.
-
Homemade Queso: Make your own queso sauce with melted cheese, milk, and diced green chilies.
-
Different Proteins:pulled pork instead of chicken for variety. Use shrimp, ground beef, or pulled pork instead of chicken for variety.
-
Toppings: Add pickled onions, radishes, or avocado crema for added flavor and texture.
Storage/Reheating
-
Storage: Store leftover queso chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
-
Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or microwave until warmed through. Add a splash of milk if the queso thickens.
FAQs
Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
Yes, shredded pre-cooked chicken works well—just heat it with the queso sauce until warm.
What can I use if I don’t have queso dip?
You can substitute with shredded cheese melted with a bit of milk and diced green chilies to create a quick queso.
Can I freeze queso chicken?
It’s best to freeze the cooked chicken without queso, then add queso sauce after thawing and reheating.
Are these tacos gluten-free?
Yes, if you use corn tortillas and check that your taco seasoning and queso are gluten-free.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Use dairy-free cheese and queso alternatives, and check the ingredients on your taco seasoning.
How spicy are these tacos?
They are mild by default, but you can adjust the spice level with jalapeños or hot sauce.
Can I add vegetables to the chicken?
Yes, bell peppers, onions, or corn can be sautéed with the chicken for extra flavor and nutrition.
What side dishes go well with queso chicken tacos?
Serve with Mexican rice, refried beans, chips and salsa, or a fresh green salad.
Can I make the queso from scratch?
Yes, simple queso can be made by melting cheese with milk, butter, and seasonings like chili powder and garlic.
How do I keep tortillas soft and warm?
Wrap tortillas in a clean kitchen towel and keep them in a warm oven (around 200°F) until serving.
Conclusion
Queso Chicken Tacos are a quick, flavorful, and creamy take on traditional tacos that everyone will love. With tender chicken bathed in luscious queso and topped with fresh ingredients, these tacos bring comfort and excitement to your dinner table. Easy to prepare and endlessly customizable, they’re perfect for busy weeknights or casual get-togethers. Enjoy the cheesy, savory goodness in every bite!
Queso Chicken Tacos
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Queso Chicken Tacos are a creamy and flavorful twist on classic chicken tacos, featuring tender, seasoned chicken smothered in rich queso sauce. These tacos offer a perfect balance of savory chicken, cheesy goodness, and fresh toppings, making them ideal for quick weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Easy to customize and ready in under 30 minutes, they’re sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
-
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
-
1 tbsp olive oil
-
1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade seasoning)
-
1 cup prepared queso dip (store-bought or homemade)
-
8 small corn or flour tortillas
-
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
-
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
-
1/4 cup diced red onion
-
Lime wedges, for serving
- Optional toppings: shredded lettuce, sliced jalapeños, sour cream, avocado slices
Instructions
-
Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and sprinkle with taco seasoning. Cook 6-8 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned.
-
Add Queso: Reduce heat to low and pour queso dip over chicken. Stir gently to coat evenly. Cook 2 minutes until heated through.
-
Warm the Tortillas: Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until soft and pliable.
-
Assemble the Tacos: Spoon queso chicken onto tortillas. Top with tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and other desired toppings.
-
Serve: Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over tacos.
Notes
Add sliced jalapeños or hot sauce for heat.Substitute chicken with mushrooms, cauliflower, or black beans for a vegetarian option.Make homemade queso with melted cheese, milk, and diced green chilies.Try different proteins like shrimp, ground beef.Add pickled onions, radishes, or avocado crema for extra flavor.Store leftovers in airtight container refrigerated up to 3 days.Reheat gently in skillet or microwave with a splash of milk to loosen queso.
