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Grilled chicken tacos with bacon are a delicious fusion of two of our favorite summer dishes. The bacon crunch in each bite takes chicken tacos to a new level!
What better way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than with TACOS? Ok, ok, these Chicken BLT Tacos aren’t “authentic” but they are still delicious! You are going to love the bacon-y flavor in each bite. SO tasty!
We decided to add the bacon to the tacos and Whoah Nellie, it was GOOD. My kids liked it best with a little ranch dressing over the top. My husband and I loved it with just a little sour cream. Try it both ways or use both! You can’t lose here.
Grilled Chicken Tacos with Bacon Ingredients
These grilled chicken tacos are so simple to make and are a family favorite! You will love the texture, flavor, and combination these chicken tacos bring to the table. Add bacon and these tacos just might be the best ones you have ever tried!
- Chicken breasts – Skinless chicken breasts are used to grill. If you would like to use a meat pounder to thin them out to make them even for grilling that will help them cook evenly. Chicken thighs will also work for this recipe.
- Olive oil – Helps to hold the seasoning on the chicken breasts. It also gives the chicken a crispy outside edge while grilling.
- Taco seasoning – Make your own taco season or use a package or seasoning that you enjoy. This has so many seasonings mixed together that give this chicken the boost and flavor it needs.
- Flour tortillas – We used our favorite homemade flour tortillas but you can also use corn tortillas too.
- Bacon – Cook the bacon and let rest on a plate with paper towels to soak up the grease. Crumble bacon over the top of the chicken tacos. This adds a nice crunchy bite with the extra bacon flavor we all love!
- Tomatoes – Slice the tomatoes into small squared pieces that are bite size and easy to eat.
- Lettuce – Cut the lettuce and then shred or purchase a pre-shredded bag of lettuce for an easier topping.
- Sour cream – This adds a cool, light, and tasty topping that is creamy and delicious!
- Ranch dressing – Make your homemade ranch dressing or your favorite store-bought dressing works great!
- Cilantro – Chop fresh cilantro to garnish on top of the tacos.
How to make Grilled Chicken Tacos with Bacon
Prepare the chicken with seasoning, grill the chicken, then let it rest! Add toppings and serve in a soft or hard shell taco. It is a delicious combination and the grill marks give the chicken that added crispy, tenderness with all the flavor!
- Prepare – Drizzle a little olive oil over each chicken breast. Generously rub each chicken breast with taco seasoning.
- Grill – Heat grill at medium heat for about 6-7 minutes on each side or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Rest – Remove from grill and let rest for about 3-5 minutes.
- Serve – Cut chicken into slices or bite-sized dice and place on tortilla. Top with remaining ingredients and serve immediately.
Topping Ideas
We always love to add extra toppings to all our taco recipes! This one is no different! This easy grilled chicken taco recipe has all the flavor, crunch, and deliciousness but in case you want a little more, try these toppings and variations.
- Onions – Slice up an onion for a delicious crunchy bite.
- Cabbage – Purple cabbage gives these tacos just the right amount of color plus adds that soft crunch.
- Guacamole – Mash avocados together for a homemade guac or find your favorite at the store. Add some to a small bowl and dip chips in it too!
- Avocado – Cut the avocado into slices or small bite-sized cubes to enjoy the soft texture in every bite.
- Spicy – Spice up the tacos with hot paprika, hot sauce, chili powder, pico de Gallo, or sriracha sauce for a little more heat.
- Limes – Squeeze fresh lime juice over top for a zesty liquid!
Steps for Perfectly Grilled Chicken
Grilled chicken tacos can seem intimidating because you are doing the chicken on the grill, but trust me, it is so worth it to grill it! Here are a few tips to make sure your grilled chicken turns out perfect every time.
- Season your chicken: And don’t hold back. Be generous with the seasoning. I like using a little olive oil so the seasoning has something to stick to on the chicken. Just make sure you are getting an even distribution of seasoning all over the chicken. The more flavor the better! For this recipe, we like to use our homemade taco seasoning.
- Use a meat thermometer: When grilling the chicken ALWAYS be sure to use a meat thermometer. Any time you do any meat on the grill, you will want to use a meat thermometer. Meat can be so tricky and in only a few short minutes it can get dry and overdone. Or worse, pull it off too early and it’s underdone. Cutting the chicken in half to check doneness is not a great way to go. You will be letting all those juices drain out and you will have dry chicken before you know it. I can’t emphasize it enough, invest in a meat thermometer if you want perfectly juicy grilled chicken.
- Let it rest: You are going to be smelling that amazing grilled chicken smell and you will want to dig in right when you pull them off the grill, but resist! Just for a few short minutes. It is hard, I know. Let that chicken rest before cutting into it. It will taste better and will be more tender.
“LOVE the bacon in these tacos! The crispiness, saltiness, and wonderful bacon-ness is absolutely wonderful! My youngest is thrilled with putting Ranch on his tacos. His favorite dressing now on his tacos. š Heās enamored. Delicious tacos.”
-Betsy
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Bake the chicken in the oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 to 30 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
I strongly encourage getting a meat thermometer to help know when your chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The chicken will be cooked perfectly with white coloring and no longer pink in the middle.
The sky is the limit! We love to make it a complete meal with black beans or refried beans, Mexican rice, pico de gallo, grilled corn, or a fresh salad.
Storing the Best Grilled Chicken
Place the leftover chicken in airtight containers for meal prep and store in the refrigerator for five to seven days long. When ready to reheat, place in the microwave or bake in the oven until warmed through. Make sure not to overheat and dry out the chicken.
More Great Chicken Recipes
Want more great-tasting chicken dinner ideas?! These chicken recipes are perfect for baking, grilling, or in a casserole dish. Check out these delicious chicken recipes!
How to Make Grilled Chicken Tacos with Bacon
Grilled Chicken Tacos with Bacon
Equipment
- Outdoor Barbecue Grill
Ingredients
- 1-2 pounds chicken breast boneless, skinless
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning click HERE
- 6 flour tortillas soft taco size
- 6 slices bacon cooked, crumbled
- 2 tomatoes diced
- 2 cups shredded lettuce
- sour cream to taste
- ranch dressing optional
- cilantro chopped, to taste
Instructions
- Drizzle a little olive oil over each chicken breast.
- Generously rub each chicken breast with taco seasoning.
- Grill over medium-high heat for about 6-7 minutes on each side or until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Remove from grill and let rest for about 3-5 minutes.
- Cut chicken into slices or bite-sized dices and place on tortilla.
- Top with remaining ingredients and serve immediately.
Several Favorite Family Recipes will remain in my rotation forever. Not just tasty, but easy and quick as well. Thanks FFRs !
Easy and delicious, this one is a keeper. I know Iām going to make it over and over again!
Why have I never thought to add bacon to my tacos?! This is epic!
Well everything is definitely better with bacon so…..100% YESSS!!!! So tasty!!
These are my kind of tacos! Bacon takes everything to the next level š
LOVE the bacon in these tacos! The crispiness, saltiness, and wonderful bacon-ness is absolutely wonderful! My youngest is thrilled with putting Ranch on his tacos. His favorite dressing now on his tacos. š He’s enamored. Delicious tacos.
Bacon takes a typical chicken taco to a whole new level! Kids loved these. I made them using the small street taco flour tortillas so they were easy to handle for them. These will be a new staple for dinner in our house!
Right? haha bacon always makes everything better š