Cutting Chicken Strips For Tacos: The Right Way

Chicken tacos are a quick, easy, and delicious meal that can be made in a variety of ways. While some recipes call for shredded chicken, others suggest cutting chicken breasts or thighs into strips or cubes. This paragraph will focus on the latter method, specifically how to cut chicken strips for boneless chicken tacos. Boneless chicken breasts or thighs are commonly used for chicken tacos as they are easy to cook and readily available. To cut chicken strips for this purpose, it is recommended to first season the chicken with a spice rub or marinade, and then cook the chicken on a grill or stovetop until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. After removing the chicken from the heat source, let it cool before slicing it into strips.

Cut chicken into strips, season and cook in a skillet

To cut chicken into strips for boneless chicken tacos, start by using a sharp knife to cut a skinless, boneless chicken breast into strips about 1/2 inch thick. You can also cut the chicken breast lengthwise to get the right thickness. Set the strips aside.

Next, prepare your seasoning. You can use a simple combination of salt and pepper, or create a spice rub with ingredients like chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix your chosen seasonings together in a large bowl.

After seasoning the chicken strips, heat some oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken strips in the skillet in a single layer, working in batches if necessary, and cook until golden brown and cooked through. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your strips, but aim for an internal temperature of 165°F.

Once the chicken strips are cooked, remove them from the skillet and let them cool slightly before serving. You can serve them in tortillas with your favorite toppings, such as pico de gallo, avocado, cilantro, cheese, or lime wedges.

Alternatively, you can bread your chicken strips before cooking. To do this, set up a workstation with three containers: one for flour, one for an egg wash (egg beaten with a small amount of water), and one for breadcrumbs mixed with your chosen taco seasoning. First, roll the chicken strip in the flour, then dip it in the egg mixture, and finally, coat it evenly with the seasoned breadcrumbs. Heat oil in your skillet and fry the breaded chicken strips until they are brown on both sides and cooked through.

Shred chicken by hand or with forks

Shredding chicken by hand or with forks is a popular method for preparing chicken for tacos. It is a quick and easy way to get the desired size of chicken pieces for your tacos.

First, cook your chicken. You can poach it, boil it, use a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or oven, or buy a rotisserie chicken. If you are using bone-in chicken, remove the meat from the bones after cooking. You can save the bones for making homemade chicken stock.

To shred the chicken by hand, simply use your fingers to pull the chicken apart into chunks. These can be as big or as small as you like. If you end up with larger pieces, just pull them apart into smaller ones.

To shred the chicken with forks, place the cooked chicken on a cutting board or plate. Hold a fork in each hand. Use the fork in your non-dominant hand to hold the chicken steady, and use the other fork to scrape and pull the chicken apart. Continue until you have the desired size of shreds.

Using forks to shred chicken can be tedious and time-consuming, so if you have a stand mixer, you may want to use that instead. Place the cooked chicken in the bowl of the stand mixer, add the paddle attachment, and turn it on low. In 15 to 20 seconds, you'll have shredded chicken.

Marinade chicken in a mixture of spices and herbs

Chicken tacos are a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of spices and herbs. While some recipes call for a simple spice rub, others opt for a more complex marinade.

To begin making chicken tacos, you'll want to cut your chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a popular choice for their ease of cooking and availability. However, you could also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat with a higher fat content, which will yield juicier and more flavorful chicken.

Now, let's focus on marinating the chicken in a mixture of spices and herbs. Marinades are excellent for infusing flavour into the meat, locking in your chosen flavours so that every bite is packed with taste. They also help to tenderize the chicken, keeping it juicy as it cooks.

Here's a step-by-step guide to marinating chicken for tacos:

• Choose a marinade: You can create your own marinade by combining various ingredients such as olive oil, fresh lime juice, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Other ingredients to consider include balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, dried rosemary, Dijon mustard, and garlic powder.
• Prepare the marinade: Place all your chosen ingredients into a medium bowl and whisk them together to combine. You can adjust the quantities of each ingredient to suit your taste preferences.
• Prep the chicken: Place your chicken strips or pieces into a large resealable plastic bag. If using a bowl, ensure it is large enough for the chicken to be fully immersed in the marinade.
• Add the marinade: Pour the marinade over the chicken in the bag or bowl. If using a bag, seal it securely, removing as much air as possible. Gently massage the bag or bowl to ensure the chicken is fully coated with the marinade.
• Refrigerate and marinate: Place the marinating chicken in the refrigerator. Allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. For optimal results, aim for a marination time between 2 to 8 hours.
• Cook the chicken: After marinating, you can cook the chicken on a grill, in the oven, or on the stovetop. If grilling, preheat your grill to medium-high heat, lightly oil the grates, and grill the chicken for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until cooked through. If baking, preheat the oven to 400°F and cook the chicken for 18 to 22 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
• Rest and serve: Once cooked, let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. You can serve the chicken in tortillas or tacos with your choice of toppings, such as pico de gallo, avocado, cilantro, lime, cheese, or sour cream.

By following these steps and choosing your preferred combination of spices and herbs, you can create delicious and flavourful chicken tacos that are sure to be a hit!

Grill chicken on a BBQ or indoor grill pan

Grilling chicken is a great way to add flavour and texture to your chicken tacos. You can use a BBQ or an indoor grill pan to grill your chicken, and here's how:

BBQ Chicken

Firstly, you don't need a grill to achieve that delicious BBQ flavour. You can use a stove-top pan to get that caramelisation and BBQ aroma without the smoke. You can use boneless chicken thighs, which are a great option as they cook quickly and have a higher fat content, resulting in softer and juicier meat. You can also use chicken breasts.

Grill Pan Chicken

To grill chicken on a BBQ, start by seasoning the chicken with a dry rub or a spice mix. You can use a combination of chilli powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, salt and pepper. You can also add some fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeno, or a glug of beer to the poaching liquid for extra flavour. Leave the chicken to sit with the rub for 15-30 minutes.

Next, heat your grill pan to a high heat for 2-3 minutes. Then, lower the heat to medium-high and add oil to the pan, coating it evenly. Place your chicken on the grill pan and cook for 4-6 minutes on each side, without moving it, until grill marks appear. Turn the chicken with tongs or a fork and cook the other side. You can also use an outdoor grill for a smokier flavour.

Finally, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before cutting or shredding it into bite-sized pieces. You can sprinkle with lemon or lime juice before serving.

So, whether you choose to grill your chicken on a BBQ or an indoor grill pan, you can create delicious, juicy, and flavourful chicken for your tacos. Enjoy!

Chop chicken and reheat in a skillet with olive oil

Chicken strips for boneless chicken tacos can be cut in a variety of ways. One way is to cut the chicken into thin slices or strips, which can be done by placing the chicken breast on a cutting board and using a sharp knife to slice it into pieces. Another way is to cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces or cubes. This can be done by cutting the chicken breast into strips and then cutting those strips into smaller pieces.

To reheat chicken without drying it out, it is recommended to use a skillet or a covered baking dish in an oven. Here are the steps to reheat chicken in a skillet:

• Chop the chicken into your desired size.
• Heat a generous amount of olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Extra virgin olive oil can be used, but it is recommended to use a less expensive option for frying. If you prefer a more neutral-tasting oil, you can use avocado, vegetable, or canola oil.
• Place the chopped chicken in the skillet. Avoid overcrowding the pan.
• Cook until golden brown. Use tongs to flip the chicken over and cook evenly on both sides.
• Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a rack or paper towel to drain the excess oil.

It is important to note that the chicken should be chopped into bite-sized pieces before reheating. This ensures that the chicken is heated evenly and thoroughly. You can also add spices and seasonings to the chicken before reheating it to enhance the flavor.

Frequently asked questions