Blackened Chicken Taco Wraps -These Blackened Chicken Fajitas are the perfect busy midweek quick and easy meal (Taco Tuesdays anyone?) but are great for the weekend too. The chicken is seared in homemade bold seasoning so you get a yummy chargrilled or blackened crust for a true Blackened Chicken experience. Combined with the colours of the veggies and served in warm Tortilla wraps, this is everyones fave healthy meal.
What is Blackened Chicken?
Blackening is a cooking technique used in cajun cooking. Basically the chicken or meat is dredged in herbs and spices (namely paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder and oregano) and then cooked in a very hot pan creating the blackened effect and a crust on the outside whilst the chicken remains flavourful, juicy and tender on the inside.
The same blend is used to coat Fish or other Meat too.
Tacos
With most tacos, I like to serve them with a variety of toppings to add texture and moisture, be that with pickles, jalapeños, a sour cream sauce, salsa, pico de gallo or avocado.
With chicken tacos, the peppers and onions add a lot of moisture and they don't need all the extras but you cannot go wrong with the jalapeños, lime juice and sour cream. You can of course go crazy and add whatever you want!
As far as the vehicle to carry all of those incredible flavours, I choose floured tortillas which i tend to bake in a dry pan or toss over a naked flame.
What you’ll need to make Blackened Chicken Taco Wraps
Blackened seasoning mix - Smoked paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and cayenne powder make up this seasoning blend.
Chicken Breast - Or Chicken Tenders.
Oil - To cook the Chicken.
Mixed Peppers and Red Onions - I like to add these to the tortillas. You can skip them.
Corn or Flour Tortillas - Use your favourites. I prefer Flour Tortillas.
Jalapenos - These add so much flavour.
How to make Easy Blackned Chicken Tacos
Step 1 - Combine all the ingredients for the seasoning in a large bowl.
Step 2 - Pop chicken into the seasoning bowl and add the lime juice and 1 tablespoon of the Oil. Set aside for 30 minutes - 2 hours. (This is optional!)
Step 3 - Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pan over medium/high heat.
Add some of the chicken and cook for 3 - 5 minutes on each side, until nicely charred. Transfer to a tray, cover loosely with foil. Repeat with remaining chicken.
Step 4 - Wipe the pan with tissue paper. Turn heat up and add a drizzle of oil
.
Add the onions and peppers. Cook for a minute and add salt and pepper. Cook for a further 2 minutes until tender but still crispy.
Step 5 - Dry pan fry the tortillas for 1-2 minutes each side.
Step 6 - To serve, add the peppers and onions to the warm tortilla, top with chicken, sour cream, lime juice and coriander leaves.
Toppings for Blackened Chicken Tacos
Salsa - Store brought or homemade Salsa made with Tomatoes, Onion, Coriander, Lime Juice and Jalapenos. You could add Pico de Gallo instead.
Lettuce - Shredded Lettuce works well in these wraps and it is an easy add in.
Feta - Because we do not have access to the more traditional Cojita Cheese, I sometimes add Feta instead.
Hot Sauce - Adds heat and flavour.
Guacamole or Smashed Avocados - These work very well with Blackened Chicken.
Sour Cream - Creamy Sour Cream adds another flavour dimension and works very well in these wraps.
Pickled Jalapenos - jarred Pickled Jalapeños add flavour and a slight kick.
Corn - Cook some Corn in the pan with the Chicken for added sweetness and texture.
Air fryer instructions
Preheat the air fryer to 200 c/400 f.
Air-fry the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side.
Tips and Tricks
Preheat the Pan - The pan needs to be super hot in this recipe in order to get a charred crispy exterior on the Chicken.
Allow the Chicken to rest - This is so you get the juiciest Chicken.
What to serve with it
There are a number of ways you can serve these Tacos up. Serve alongside:
Tortilla Chips
Mexican Rice or Peri Peri Rice
Refried Beans
Corn on the Cob
Corn Salad
Fresh Salad
Storage
These chicken tacos are best enjoyed fresh. If you do have leftovers, store the Chicken, Tacos and toppings separately in airtight containers in the fridge.
Reheat the Chicken in a microwave or on the stove top. The Tacos can also be reheated the same way but they will take seconds to heat up so keep an eye on them.
Variations
Blackened Seasoning can be replaced with Cajun Seasoning.
Blackened chicken Taco Wraps
Ingredients
Seasoning
- 2-3 teaspoon Smoked Paprika I prefer 3
- 2 tsp Oregano
- 1 tsp Onion Powder Skip if you don't have it
- 1.5 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Cayenne
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 - 2 tablespoon Lime Juice
- 2 - 3 tbsp Oil divided
Tacos
- 5 Chicken Breasts cut in ½ horizontally (2 cm thickness) (About 2 - 2.5lb)
- 1 large Red Pepper cut into strips
- 1 large Green Pepper cut into strips
- 1 large Yellow Pepper cut into strips
- 2 large Red Onions sliced finely
- 8 Corn or Flour Tortillas
Toppings
- Sour Cream
- Coriander Leaves
- Jalapeño slices
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients for the seasoning in a large bowl.
- Pop chicken into the seasoning bowl and add the lime juice and 1 tablespoon of the Oil. Set aside for 30 minutes - 2 hours. (This is optional!)
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pan over high heat.
- Once hot, add some of the chicken and cook for 3 - 5 minutes on each side, until nicely charred. Transfer to a tray, cover loosely with foil. Repeat with remaining chicken.
- Wipe the pan with tissue paper. Turn heat up and add a drizzle of oil
- Add the onions and peppers. Cook for a minute and add salt and pepper. Cook for a further 2 minutes until tender but still crispy.
- Dry pan fry the tortillas for 1-2 minutes each side.
- To serve, add the peppers and onions to the warm tortilla, top with chicken, sour cream, lime juice and coriander leaves.
Notes
Toppings for Blackened Chicken Tacos
Salsa - Store brought or homemade Salsa made with Tomatoes, Onion, Coriander, Lime Juice and Jalapenos. You could add Pico de Gallo instead.Lettuce - Shredded Lettuce works well in these wraps and it is an easy add in.
Feta - Because we do not have access to the more traditional Cojita Cheese, I sometimes add Feta instead.
Hot Sauce - Adds heat and flavour.
Guacamole or Smashed Avocados - These work very well with Blackened Chicken.
Sour Cream - Creamy Sour Cream adds another flavour dimension and works very well in these wraps.
Pickled Jalapenos - jarred Pickled Jalapeños add flavour and a slight kick.
Corn - Cook some Corn in the pan with the Chicken for added sweetness and texture.
Air fryer instructions
Preheat the air fryer to 200 c/400 f.Air-fry the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side.
Tips and Tricks
Preheat the Pan - The pan needs to be super hot in this recipe in order to get a charred crispy exterior on the Chicken. Allow the Chicken to rest - This is so you get the juiciest Chicken.What to serve with it
There are a number of ways you can serve these Tacos up. Serve alongside: Tortilla ChipsMexican Rice or Peri Peri Rice
Refried Beans
Corn on the Cob
Corn Salad
Fresh Salad
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