One Pan Chicken Pineapple Tacos (Printable)
Spiced chicken and pineapple in a single pan for a tropical twist.
# What You'll Need:
→ Poultry
01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced
→ Produce
02 - 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced or drained canned pineapple
03 - 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 jalapeño, deseeded and chopped
07 - Juice of 1 lime
08 - 1 small bunch cilantro, chopped
→ Pantry & Spices
09 - 2 tbsp olive oil
10 - 1 ½ tsp ground cumin
11 - 1 ½ tsp chili powder
12 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
13 - ½ tsp garlic powder
14 - ½ tsp salt
15 - ¼ tsp black pepper
16 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas
→ To Serve
17 - Diced avocado
18 - Crumbled queso fresco or shredded cheese
19 - Extra lime wedges
# How To Make:
01 - In a large bowl, combine diced chicken with cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss until evenly coated.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and cook for 5–6 minutes, until beginning to brown.
03 - Add onion, bell pepper, jalapeño, and garlic to the pan. Sauté for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are just tender.
04 - Stir in diced pineapple and cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the fruit to caramelize slightly. Pour in lime juice and add half the cilantro; toss to combine.
05 - Warm tortillas directly in the pan for 30 seconds per side or wrap in a damp towel and microwave until pliable.
06 - Fill each tortilla with the chicken-pineapple mixture. Top with avocado, cheese, remaining cilantro, and extra lime wedges as desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Cleanup is a breeze since everything cooks in just one pan.
- The juicy pineapple brings a natural sweetness that tames the heat perfectly.
02 -
- Do not overcrowd the pan or the chicken will steam instead of getting that tasty sear.
- Letting the pineapple sit undisturbed for a minute is what creates the delicious charred bits.
03 -
- If using fresh pineapple, save the core and juice it for a delicious marinade base.
- Let the chicken rest for a minute in the juice after cooking to absorb maximum flavor.