Description

These family-friendly tacos feature juicy chicken sautéed in garlic butter, glazed with sticky honey BBQ sauce, and wrapped in warm tortillas with crunchy toppings. Quick, easy, and packed with bold flavor, they’re perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
2 tbsp unsalted butter
3–4 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp smoked paprika
Salt & black pepper, to taste
⅓ cup honey
½ cup BBQ sauce
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
8–10 small flour or corn tortillas, warmed
2 cups shredded lettuce or cabbage
½ cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
¼ cup chopped cilantro (optional)
½ red onion, thinly sliced
Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

Pat chicken breasts dry and slice into bite-sized strips or cubes. Season with salt, pepper, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Let sit for about 5 minutes.
In a small bowl, whisk together honey, BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, and hot sauce. Set aside.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and let it melt and foam. Add minced garlic and stir until fragrant, being careful not to brown.
Add seasoned chicken to the pan. Cook, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through (6–8 minutes for strips, 8–10 minutes for cubes).
Pour honey BBQ sauce over the cooked chicken. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, tossing chicken to coat. Let the sauce thicken and caramelize slightly (about 3–4 minutes). Add a splash of water if needed.
Warm tortillas one at a time in a dry skillet or over a gas flame for 20–30 seconds per side. Stack in a clean kitchen towel to keep soft.
Fill tortillas with chicken. Top with shredded lettuce, cheese, cilantro, sliced onion, and a squeeze of lime. Drizzle extra sauce if desired.
Serve tacos hot with your favorite sides. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

For gluten-free, use certified GF tortillas. For dairy-free, swap butter for vegan margarine and skip the cheese. Rotisserie chicken can be used for a shortcut. Toast tortillas for extra flavor. Prep toppings while chicken cooks for efficiency. The chicken filling freezes well for meal prep.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2–3 tacos per person
Calories: 260
Sugar: 8
Sodium: 550
Fat: 9
Saturated Fat: 4
Carbohydrates: 24
Fiber: 2
Protein: 20

Keywords: chicken tacos, garlic butter, honey BBQ, easy dinner, family recipe, weeknight meal, skillet chicken, taco night, quick tacos, BBQ chicken tacos