Smoked Paprika Chicken Tacos al Pastor

Latin-inspired chicken tacos with smoky paprika-marinated chicken, pineapple, and fresh lime. This skillet-friendly take blends al pastor vibes with paprika patina, finishing with a bright, crave-worthy crunch.

  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Cook Time: 20 min
Servings:
2 servings
(originally 4 servings)

Ingredients(scaled)

  • 1 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb total)
  • 1 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • ½ tablespoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • ½ 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ 1/4 cup pineapple juice
  • 1 tablespoons orange juice
  • ½ tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 small corn tortillas
  • ½ cup diced fresh pineapple
  • ½ 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
  • ½ 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • ½ lime, cut into wedges
  • ½ Optional: 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from chipotle can)

Instructions

  1. Mix smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
  2. Dice chicken breasts; toss with the spice mix, then whisk in pineapple juice, orange juice, vinegar, and 1 tablespoon oil. Let marinate 10 minutes.
  3. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over medium-high. Cook chicken 6–8 minutes, until cooked through and lightly charred; slice thinly.
  4. In the same pan, warm tortillas 20–30 seconds per side until pliable. Sauté pineapple and onion 2–3 minutes until caramelized.
  5. Assemble tacos: fill tortillas with chicken, pineapple, onion, cilantro, drizzle lime juice, and add adobo sauce if desired.

Chef’s Pro Tips

  • Sear chicken well for deeper paprika flavor.
  • Finish with a squeeze of lime for brightness.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with a side of picked onions and a light avocado crema if available.

Storage Instructions

Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days in the fridge; reheat in a skillet or microwave.

Nutritional Estimates
Per serving · 2 servings total
calories360
protein28
carbohydrates28
fat14

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