Description
Mexican-inspired Baja Chicken Tacos from Cheesecake Factory deliver zesty flavor with grilled chicken, fresh slaw, and creamy avocado sauce. Crisp tortillas and bold spices make this recipe a perfect weeknight dinner that transports you straight to California’s sunny coastline.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
Base Ingredients:
- 8 Soft Corn Tortillas
- 1 cup Cooked Rice
- 1 cup Cooked Beans
Toppings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 cup Mexican Cheese Blend, shredded
- 1 Large Tomato, diced
- 1 Avocado, sliced
- 1 Medium Onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) Chipotle Sauce
- ¼ cup (15 grams) Fresh Cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
Instructions
- Infuse chicken breasts with a robust marinade of chipotle sauce, blending salt, cumin, and paprika in a mixing bowl. Submerge the meat completely and allow flavors to penetrate for 30-45 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Preheat a cast-iron skillet or griddle to medium-high temperature (around 375°F/190°C). Remove chicken from marinade, gently patting excess liquid with paper towels to ensure proper searing.
- Cook chicken breasts for approximately 6-8 minutes per side, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness. Let meat rest for 3-4 minutes after cooking to retain juices.
- Simultaneously, warm corn tortillas on a separate skillet or directly over gas flame, flipping every 15-20 seconds until slightly charred and flexible.
- Prepare fresh accompaniments by finely dicing ripe tomatoes, slicing creamy avocados, and mincing white onions with precision.
- Slice cooked chicken into thin, uniform strips to maximize flavor distribution across tortillas.
- Construct tacos by layering tortillas with chicken strips, sprinkling shredded cheese, distributing diced tomatoes, avocado slices, and chopped onions.
- Drizzle additional chipotle sauce and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves. Serve immediately with complementary sides of seasoned rice and black beans.
Notes
- Elevate your homemade tacos by marinating chicken in bold southwestern spices for maximum flavor infusion.
- Transform ordinary chicken into a restaurant-worthy masterpiece with the smoky, spicy punch of chipotle sauce.
- Warm corn tortillas just until soft to prevent cracking and ensure perfect taco construction.
- Layer fresh toppings like crisp onions, creamy avocado, and juicy tomatoes for an explosion of textures and flavors.
- Customize each bite by drizzling extra chipotle sauce, letting everyone control their spice adventure.
- Sprinkle fresh cilantro to brighten the rich, spicy profile and add a zesty herbaceous finish.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 590 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 77 g
- Fiber: 14 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg