Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Pineapple Chicken Tacos recipe is a sweet and spicy recipe, which is made with pineapple juice and chicken thighs. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner, ready in about 30 minutes.
Pioneer Woman Pineapple Chicken Tacos Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 4 scallions, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- One 6-ounce can 100% pure pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 4 small flour tortillas
- 12 ounces broccoli slaw
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 to 3 tablespoons chipotle sauce
- 1 lime, zested and juiced
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced pineapple wedges
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- Serving suggestions: tortilla chips and salsa
How To Make Pioneer Woman Pineapple Chicken Tacos
- Cook the chicken: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes per side. Add the scallions and garlic and continue to cook for one more minute until fragrant.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the pineapple juice, hot sauce, and honey. Pour this mixture into the skillet with the chicken. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Prepare the slaw: While the chicken cooks, place the tortillas on a baking sheet and warm them in the oven for 5 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the broccoli slaw, mayonnaise, chipotle sauce, lime zest, and half of the lime juice. Toss everything together to coat the slaw in the dressing.
- Finish the chicken and reduce the sauce: Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and place it on a cutting board. Lower the heat under the skillet and allow the remaining juices to reduce until they have a syrupy consistency. Slice the chicken into strips.
- Assemble the tacos: To build the tacos, lay the warm tortillas on a plate. Place the sliced chicken down the center of each tortilla and spoon some of the reduced sauce over the top. Finish with fresh pineapple wedges, a scoop of the chipotle slaw, and fresh cilantro leaves.
Recipe Tips
- How to get the most tender chicken? Using chicken thighs is the key. They are more forgiving than chicken breasts and stay incredibly moist and tender even with the high heat of the skillet.
- Can I use chicken breasts instead? Yes, but be careful not to overcook them. Slice them into thinner cutlets and reduce the cooking time accordingly to prevent them from drying out.
- How can I control the spice level? The heat comes from the hot sauce and the chipotle sauce in the slaw. Use your favorite hot sauce and start with less chipotle sauce, adding more to reach your desired heat level.
- What’s the best way to slice the chicken? For the most tender bite, slice the cooked chicken thighs against the grain.
What To Serve With Pineapple Chicken Tacos
These tacos are a fantastic meal on their own, but pair well with these sides:
- Black beans and cilantro-lime rice
- Mexican street corn salad (esquites)
- Tortilla chips with guacamole or mango salsa
- A simple side of avocado slices
How To Store Pineapple Chicken Tacos
- Refrigerate: For best results, store the components separately in airtight containers. The cooked chicken will last for up to 4 days, and the slaw for about 2-3 days.
- Freeze: The cooked chicken and the reduced sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. The slaw and fresh toppings should not be frozen.
Pineapple Chicken Tacos Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 680 kcal
- Fat: 35g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Protein: 38g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I make this on the grill?
Yes! Grill the chicken thighs until cooked through, basting them with the pineapple sauce during the last few minutes of cooking. Reduce the remaining sauce in a pan on the stovetop.
My sauce isn’t thickening. What should I do?
Just keep simmering! Reducing a sauce takes a little patience. Keep it over low heat, stirring occasionally, and it will eventually thicken to a syrupy consistency as the water evaporates.
What kind of hot sauce is best for this recipe?
A standard Louisiana-style hot sauce like Frank’s RedHot or Cholula works perfectly. They provide a good balance of heat and vinegar flavor that complements the sweet pineapple.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Tortilla Casserole
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Stuffing Casserole
Pioneer Woman Pineapple Chicken Tacos Recipe
Description
Sweet and spicy chicken thighs are glazed in a pineapple-hot sauce reduction, sliced, and served in warm tortillas with a creamy chipotle slaw and fresh pineapple.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Sear seasoned chicken thighs in a hot skillet; add scallions and garlic.
- Whisk together pineapple juice, hot sauce, and honey; add to skillet and simmer for 5-7 mins.
- Meanwhile, warm tortillas in a 400°F oven for 5 minutes.
- Mix broccoli slaw with mayonnaise, chipotle sauce, lime zest, and juice.
- Remove chicken to slice. Reduce remaining liquid in the skillet to a syrup.
- Assemble tacos with chicken, reduced sauce, pineapple, slaw, and cilantro.
Notes
- u003cliu003eFor the best flavor, don’t overcrowd the pan when searing the chicken; cook in batches if necessary.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThe sauce is done reducing when it’s thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eTaste the slaw dressing before tossing and adjust lime juice and seasoning as needed.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eUsing pre-packaged broccoli slaw is a great time-saving shortcut.u003c/liu003e
Pioneer Woman Pineapple Chicken Tacos Recipe
