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BBQ Chicken Tacos

August 7, 2014

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BBQ Chicken Tacos arranged in a mini cast iron skillet with some lime wedges and fresh cilantro, sitting next to a small bowl of corn and black beens, and a plate with tortillas on it.

These BBQ Chicken Tacos are inspired by California Pizza Kitchen’s BBQ Chicken Salad.  I think I’ve only eaten there once or twice, but it was the first time I’d ever had a BBQ Chicken Salad and I loved it!  I used my Homemade Honey BBQ Sauce and my favorite “doubled” fried white corn taco shell trick to make these tacos oh-so-good.

BBQ Chicken Tacos arranged in a mini cast iron skillet with some lime wedges and fresh cilantro.

You know how white corn tortillas can be a little flimsy and prone to tearing if you stuff them a little too full?  Here’s the trick:  You make them into these mini cheese quesadillas, using just enough cheese to help them stick together, and then fry them in a tiny bit of oil on both sides to help crisp them up just a bit.  A little sprinkle of sea salt on them, and you’ve got the best ever taco shells!  Two-ply is always better than one right?

BBQ Chicken Tacos arranged in a mini cast iron skillet with some lime wedges and fresh cilantro.

Fill your shells with BBQ chicken and then add toppings.  I love adding crisp romaine, fire roasted corn, black beans, and a little extra cheese.  You could also add red onion, cilantro and a squeeze of lime.  Add a drizzle of your favorite ranch dressing and you’ve got yourself a pretty amazing taco.  My mouth is seriously watering as I type.  Think we are going to make these again very soon!

BBQ Chicken Tacos arranged in a mini cast iron skillet with some lime wedges and fresh cilantro.

These tacos are easy, fresh and just so tasty!  They are small, so plan on making at least two for everyone.  Enjoy!

BBQ Chicken Tacos arranged in a mini cast iron skillet with some lime wedges and fresh cilantro, with a small bowl of corn and black beens sitting next to it.

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BBQ Chicken Tacos

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 5 reviews
  • Author: Julie
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 small tacos 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Cuisine: Tex-Mex
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Description

These BBQ Chicken Tacos are easy, fresh and packed with flavor! Plus, learn my secret for making the best white corn taco shells.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups shredded chicken (I used a rotisserie from the deli)
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
  • 16 white corn tortillas
  • 2 tablespoons (or more as needed) vegetable oil
  • 2 cups shredded monterey jack cheese
  • sea salt
  • 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
  • 1/2 cup corn (I used Trader Joe’s Fire Roasted frozen corn)
  • 1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
  • ranch dressing
  • lime wedges and cilantro if desired

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, toss shredded chicken with BBQ sauce to coat and set aside.
  2. Pour a 1/2 teaspoon of vegetable oil in a small skillet and heat on medium high heat. Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of cheese, and top with another tortilla. Heat until the bottom of the tortilla is slightly toasted, and the cheese is melted, then flip and toast the other side. This usually only takes a minute per side. Remove the taco shell to a paper towel and sprinkle with sea salt. Repeat with remaining tortillas, adding more oil to the pan as needed. Be careful not to leave the oil in the pan unattended.
  3. Fill the taco shells with about 1/4 cup of the chicken, then top with lettuce, corn, black, beans, and cheese. Drizzle with ranch dressing. Add a squeeze of lime and sprinkle with cilantro if desired.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Taco
  • Calories: 368
  • Sugar: 7.2g
  • Sodium: 505mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 6.8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9.5g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1g
  • Carbohydrates: 34g
  • Fiber: 4.6g
  • Protein: 20g
  • Cholesterol: 51mg

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Filed Under: Chicken, Healthy, Main Dish, Tacos

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Comments

  1. Melanie says

    August 7, 2014 at 7:44 am

    Oh my gosh those taco shells sound amazing Julie! Cheese stuffed, crispy, doesn’t fall apart?! Genius!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      August 7, 2014 at 4:41 pm

      Thank you Melanie!

      Reply
  2. Shiran @ Pretty. Simple. Sweet. says

    August 9, 2014 at 3:34 am

    I just had chicken tacos yesterday and my husband asked me “why don’t you ever make some?!”. So now I have to! 🙂 They look delicious!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      August 9, 2014 at 11:36 am

      Thanks Shiran, and I know what you mean, tacos do hit the spot now and then!

      Reply
  3. Sydney says

    August 28, 2014 at 9:24 pm

    With my husband deployed and a 3 year old who is always hungry and an infant who is always needing my attention I thrive on simple delicious food. I saw this on Pinterest and immediately started salivating. My sister in law came over to help give me a break and we made this for dinner. It was SO yummy! My 3 year old daughter loved it too after telling me it was going to be yucky. We shared it with the rest of the family and cannot wait to share it with my hubby when he gets home.
    Thank you and keep the great recipes coming!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      August 28, 2014 at 10:30 pm

      Sydney, thanks so much for letting me know you all liked these tacos. And yay for your little one being brave and trying something new. I hope your husband comes home very soon! God bless!

      Reply
  4. Liz says

    September 25, 2014 at 9:57 pm

    This looks amazing!! What sauce/dressing is drizzled on top?

    Reply
    • Julie says

      September 25, 2014 at 10:20 pm

      Thanks Liz, I just used a store bought ranch dressing.

      Reply
  5. justin says

    January 24, 2015 at 7:28 am

    How did you cook the pulled chicken? Did you shred and slowcook yourself? Or preshredded store bought?

    Reply
    • Michelle Thomas says

      August 5, 2020 at 11:14 am

      Using a store bought rotisserie chicken and shedding it adds flavor, saves time both in prep and cooking, & let’s face it everyone loves rotisserie chicken.

      Reply
  6. Karen Butler says

    January 13, 2016 at 5:26 pm

    Awesome. I love them. I cannot wait for my picky husband to say he does also. Thanks so much.

    Reply
    • Julie says

      January 14, 2016 at 3:36 pm

      Haha! You are very welcome!

      Reply
  7. Lorraine says

    January 21, 2016 at 2:45 pm

    Does one take a tortilla & add cheese to it then add the second tortilla then fry it.

    Reply
    • Julie says

      January 21, 2016 at 2:48 pm

      Yes Lorraine, that’s it exactly. May seem a little fussy, but we love it!

      Reply
  8. Shannon Daugherty says

    February 7, 2016 at 11:18 am

    How do you prepare the corn and beans?

    Reply
    • Julie says

      February 7, 2016 at 3:13 pm

      Good question Shannon, I think I just let the corn thaw a bit, drained and rinsed the beans, and them warmed them up in the microwave a little. Pretty simple!

      Reply
  9. Terri Ann says

    August 20, 2017 at 4:26 pm

    Pretty darn good. Tasted like something I’d get at a fancy restaurant.

    Reply
    • Bernadette Callan says

      May 26, 2019 at 3:49 pm

      These were beyond fantastic! Great for a small, casual dinner party. Will make these many more times!

      Reply
  10. Aja O says

    July 26, 2019 at 6:54 am

    Thank you for this recipe. The tacos came out so good!!

    Reply
  11. Camilia says

    December 6, 2019 at 7:31 am

    Hi julie, Kids loved it. very good and easy recipe, i tried it last night

    Reply
  12. Antonia kirwin says

    February 23, 2021 at 7:54 am

    Absolutely love these. Have made them several times.
    So easy and healthy.
    To cut down even more on calories. I place tortillas on baking sheet in oven unill just starting to crisp, then I add the cheese.
    Lately when we go to Costco we buy 2 roasted chickens. Debone one and devide in mealsize bags and freeze. So always have chicken on hand for this recipe.

    Reply

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Hi I'm Julie, and I spend a lot of time in my lovely little kitchen. I love gathering my family around simple delicious food. This is how I do it. Learn more →

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