These Taco Chicken Bites might be the easiest chicken recipe ever. But that doesn’t mean they’re boring… They make the perfect filling for chicken tacos and burrito bowls and also make great, dippable homemade chicken nuggets for the kids. Simple, fun, and full of flavor, they’re perfect for busy weeknights!
We’ve all heard of ‘Taco Tuesdays’ right? But if you’re starting to feel like your go-to taco recipe is getting a bit tired, you’re in luck. These easy chicken bites make awesome filling for chicken tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and salads. It’s one of our easiest go-to ways for how to cook chicken breast in a way that keeps it tender, juicy, and flavorful.
Why You’ll Love These Taco Chicken Bites
Say hello to the EASIEST chicken dinner ever! This taco chicken bites recipe will be your new favorite way of cooking chicken breast. Here are just a few reasons why you’ll love it:
- Full of flavor. Easy doesn’t have to mean boring. Fresh lime and cilantro kick up the flavor in a major way!
- Kid friendly. A lot of homemade chicken nuggets recipes aren’t much better than the stuff you can get at a fast food place. These little bites of chicken are the perfect size for dipping and can be a great way to introduce your kids to new flavors in a package that’s already comfortable.
- Super versatile. It’s rare that you find a recipe that can be used for so many things... But this is one of them! You can literally use these chicken bites in any recipe that calls for chicken. They also make great appetizers and can be dipped in a variety of yummy sauces.
Ingredients For Chicken Taco Bites
The ingredients in this dish are so easy! If you don’t have taco seasoning in your pantry – you can easily make your own! Scroll down to the recipe card for exact amounts.
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
- Taco Seasoning: You can use a store brand, or take a few minutes to make our homemade taco seasoning (so much better!).
- Olive Oil
- Cilantro: If you’re not a fan, you can sub with fresh parsley too.
- Lime
How to Cook Chicken Bites
If you’ve ever wondered how to cook chicken breast easily and quickly, you’re in the right place! This is one of my favorite ways of cooking chicken because the end result can be used in so many ways! Check out the recipe card for detailed directions.
- Prepare. Cut your chicken breasts into bite sized cubes. Toss them with taco seasoning and let sit for about 15 minutes.
- Cook. Heat up a pan with olive oil and cook the chicken bites in batches so they’re not too close together. Make sure to flip each piece over so that every side gets nice and browned.
- Serve: That’s it! Garnish the chicken bites with some fresh herbs and serve!
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Chicken breasts. You can cube your chicken breasts yourself, or can grab some already cubed at your local supermarket.
- Cut while frozen. One of my favorite tips on getting your chicken bites into the perfect and evenly sized cubes is to cut them while they’re still slightly frozen. This creates less mess and makes for much easier cutting.
- Change up the spices. While these chicken bites are flavored with taco seasoning, you can use any spice combination you’d like! The adaptability of this recipe is one of the reasons why I love it so much!
Serving Suggestions
These chicken bites go great in chicken tacos, burritos, or quesadillas. My family also loves them served over a taco salad or rice – Mexican or white. I’m also a big fan of adding them to a quinoa burrito bowl when I’m trying to be extra good. My kids love treating them like homemade chicken nuggets and dunk them in an avocado lime ranch dressing, salsa, or our fresh mango guacamole. There’s really nothing that these little taco chicken bites wouldn’t be great on!
How to Store Leftovers
- Leftovers can be stored in your refrigerator for 3-5 days in an airtight container so they’re easy to make and use for lunches or dinners throughout the week. I also love how nicely these freeze. In fact, I almost always have a bag in my freezer in case I need a super quick weeknight dinner or an impressive appetizer for surprise visitors.
- I like to reheat my taco chicken bites in a skillet over medium heat. Turn them often until they are heated through.
More Easy Chicken Dinner Ideas
Taco Chicken Bites
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- cilantro, chopped, fresh
- lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Toss chicken with taco seasoning and let stand for 15 minutes.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add chicken in batches and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Remove from heat.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro.
- Serve with lime wedges.
20 Comments
Carrie Robinson
Feb 21, 2020 at 10:53 pmI bet these chicken bites would be delicious on top of a taco salad! 🙂
Allyson Zea
Feb 22, 2020 at 12:40 amThese taco chicken bites and become a staple in my house! My kids devoured them!
Katerina Petrovska
Feb 25, 2020 at 3:30 pmThat’s great! I am very happy you enjoyed it!! Thank YOU! 🙂
Kimberly
Feb 22, 2020 at 3:18 amThese look scrumptious and I love how quick and easy they are to throw together!
Katerina Petrovska
Feb 25, 2020 at 3:31 pmThank YOU, Kimberly! 🙂
Dorothy Reinhold
Feb 22, 2020 at 3:41 amI bet that pop of lemon and fresh cilantro add soooo much flavor! My kids will love these.
Katerina Petrovska
Feb 25, 2020 at 3:33 pmI hope you enjoy it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
Feb 22, 2020 at 5:21 amThese chicken bites would disappear in our house!
Cathy
Feb 23, 2020 at 7:30 pmThese are a complete meal in themselves! SO flavorful!
Katerina Petrovska
Feb 25, 2020 at 3:29 pmThank YOU, Cathy! 🙂
Sara Welch
Feb 24, 2020 at 12:06 amWow; these look delicious! What a great idea for flavor! Adding these to my dinner line up for the week!
Katerina Petrovska
Feb 25, 2020 at 3:29 pmThank YOU, Sara! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
Mar 5, 2020 at 10:26 pmThese Taco Chicken Bites would disappear in our house!
wifi
Aug 23, 2020 at 7:25 pmWhat can I use for seasoning if I don’t have “TACO SEASONING?”…any chance I have some spices in my home?
Katerina
Aug 24, 2020 at 1:11 pmHi!
You can just mix together this homemade taco seasoning that I have: https://diethood.com/homemade-taco-seasoning/
I hope that helps.
wifi
Aug 24, 2020 at 10:55 pmThanks for the reply! It worked out okay, but I learned that I’m not a fan of CUMIN ;). I should have known better though–I’ve never been a fan of “taco flavored” things. Doh! THANKS FOR THE EASY RECIPE!
Diane
Aug 24, 2020 at 11:30 pmThese look awesome! Any chance you can tell me how to make them in an air fryer? Thank You
Katerina
Aug 25, 2020 at 11:41 amHi!
You want to preheat the Air Fryer to 400˚F, then, cook the chicken bites for around 6 to 8 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165˚F. Also, don’t crowd the air fryer. Cook the chicken in batches and don’t put more than one layer of chicken bites at a time.
Becky
Mar 10, 2021 at 9:42 pmGreat recipe!! I doubled it and served half of it over Mexican red rice with queso cheese sauce. There were no leftovers of this. The other half was finely chopped and made into quesadillas with Monterey Jack cheese for the grandkids the next day. Both dishes were a hit. Thanks for another great recipe.
Katerina Petrovska
Mar 11, 2021 at 6:24 pmThat’s great! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂