Get ready to elevate your taco night with these grilled BBQ chicken tacos. Juicy, flavorful chicken breasts are grilled to perfection and paired with fresh, vibrant toppings, all wrapped in warm tortillas. This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering with friends and family.
While most of the ingredients for this recipe are commonly found in your kitchen, you might need to pick up some fresh cilantro and bbq sauce if you don't have them on hand. Cilantro adds a burst of freshness, while the BBQ sauce provides that smoky, tangy flavor essential for the chicken.
Ingredients For Grilled BBQ Chicken Tacos
Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the main protein for these tacos, providing a lean and tender meat option.
Bbq sauce: This sauce adds a smoky, tangy flavor to the chicken, making it the star of the dish.
Tortillas: Small tortillas serve as the base for the tacos, holding all the delicious ingredients together.
Lettuce: Shredded lettuce adds a fresh, crisp texture to the tacos.
Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes contribute a juicy, slightly sweet element to balance the flavors.
Cheese: Shredded cheese adds a creamy, savory layer to the tacos.
Cilantro: Chopped cilantro provides a burst of freshness and a hint of citrusy flavor.
Technique Tip for Making BBQ Chicken Tacos
To ensure your chicken breasts are evenly cooked and juicy, pound them to an even thickness before coating them with bbq sauce. This will help them cook more uniformly on the grill and prevent any parts from drying out. Additionally, let the chicken rest for a few minutes after grilling to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in more flavorful and moist slices for your tacos.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
boneless, skinless chicken breasts - Substitute with boneless, skinless turkey breasts: Turkey breasts are lean and have a similar texture to chicken, making them a good alternative.
bbq sauce - Substitute with teriyaki sauce: Teriyaki sauce provides a sweet and savory flavor that complements grilled meats well.
small tortillas - Substitute with lettuce wraps: Lettuce wraps offer a low-carb alternative and add a fresh, crisp texture.
shredded lettuce - Substitute with shredded cabbage: Shredded cabbage is crunchy and holds up well in tacos, providing a similar texture to lettuce.
diced tomatoes - Substitute with salsa: Salsa adds a bit more flavor and moisture to the tacos, enhancing the overall taste.
shredded cheese - Substitute with crumbled feta: Feta cheese offers a tangy flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.
chopped cilantro - Substitute with chopped parsley: Parsley provides a fresh, slightly peppery flavor that can replace cilantro in most dishes.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to BBQ Chicken Tacos
How To Store or Freeze Your Tacos
Allow the chicken breasts to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to soggy tortillas and vegetables.
Store the grilled chicken separately from the other ingredients. Place the sliced chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. This keeps the bbq sauce from making the other ingredients too moist.
For the tortillas, wrap them in aluminum foil or place them in a resealable plastic bag. Store them at room temperature if you plan to use them within a day or two, or refrigerate for up to a week.
Keep the shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and chopped cilantro in separate containers. Use airtight containers or resealable plastic bags to maintain freshness. These should be consumed within 2-3 days for optimal freshness.
For the shredded cheese, store it in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a week.
If you want to freeze the grilled chicken, place the cooled slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer the frozen slices to a resealable freezer bag or airtight container. This method prevents the slices from sticking together. The chicken can be frozen for up to 2 months.
When ready to use, thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat it gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through.
To reheat the tortillas, wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 20-30 seconds, or warm them in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds on each side.
Assemble the tacos just before serving to ensure the lettuce and tomatoes remain crisp and fresh.
How To Reheat Leftovers
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the tortillas in aluminum foil and place them in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until they are warm and pliable.
- While the tortillas are warming, place the chicken in an oven-safe dish. Cover it with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. Heat in the oven for about 15 minutes, or until the chicken is warmed through.
- Alternatively, you can reheat the chicken in a skillet. Add a splash of bbq sauce or a bit of chicken broth to keep it moist. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is hot.
- For a quick option, use the microwave. Place the chicken on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the chicken is hot. Warm the tortillas separately by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving for about 20-30 seconds.
- Once everything is heated, reassemble your tacos with the shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and chopped cilantro. Enjoy your reheated Grilled BBQ Chicken Tacos!
Essential Tools for Making BBQ Chicken Tacos
Grill: Used to cook the chicken breasts to perfection, giving them a smoky flavor.
Mixing bowl: Essential for coating the chicken breasts evenly with BBQ sauce.
Tongs: Handy for flipping the chicken breasts on the grill and removing them once cooked.
Knife: Necessary for slicing the grilled chicken into strips.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for slicing the grilled chicken.
Meat thermometer: Ensures the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature.
Spatula: Useful for warming the tortillas on the grill without tearing them.
Serving platter: Ideal for assembling and presenting the tacos.
Measuring cups: Helps in measuring the BBQ sauce, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and chopped cilantro accurately.
Grill brush: Keeps the grill clean before and after cooking the chicken.
How to Save Time on Making BBQ Chicken Tacos
Marinate in advance: Coat the chicken breasts with bbq sauce the night before to save time on prep.
Use pre-shredded ingredients: Buy shredded lettuce and shredded cheese to cut down on prep time.
Preheat the grill: Start preheating your grill while you prepare the other ingredients.
Slice efficiently: Use a sharp knife to quickly slice the grilled chicken after it rests.
Warm tortillas together: Warm multiple tortillas at once on the grill to save time.
Organize toppings: Arrange diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and chopped cilantro in bowls for easy assembly.

Grilled BBQ Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs Chicken Breasts boneless, skinless
- 1 cup BBQ Sauce
- 8 pieces Tortillas small
- 1 cup Shredded Lettuce
- 1 cup Diced Tomatoes
- ½ cup Shredded Cheese
- ¼ cup Chopped Cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- In a mixing bowl, coat the chicken breasts with BBQ sauce.
- Grill the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked.
- Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
- Warm the tortillas on the grill for about 30 seconds on each side.
- Assemble the tacos by placing sliced chicken, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and chopped cilantro on each tortilla.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for Your Tacos
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