Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Tacos with Pineapple Salsa
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These blackened chicken tacos are a must have for your next taco night. The juicy chicken is made quickly in the air fryer and the homemade pineapple salsa is fast, fresh and so flavorful.
The savory spices of the blackening seasoning gives taco Tuesday a Cajun style spin. With a few simple spices you add tons of flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the pineapple. I love the air fryer because it’s quick and easy but feel free to cook your chicken over medium heat in a large cast iron skillet or regular skillet over the stove. Both will be delicious!
Add your blackened chicken to ground turkey bowls, breakfast burrito bowls or chicken teriyaki pineapple bowls. Forgo the sour cream and add my cottage cheese avocado crema and be sure to save your extra salsa for protein pancake tacos or my favorite Mexican skillet.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Fresh ingredients.
- 17 grams of protein and 7g fiber per taco!
Ingredients and Substitutes:
These are the main ingredients and substitutions for these blackened chicken tacos with pineapple salsa. For the full recipe details see the recipe card.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: chicken tenderloins or chicken thighs work as well.
- Tortillas: You can use corn tortillas or flour tortillas. I used Banderita Carb Counter Tortilla to lower the carbs.
- Cabbage: shredded for the best crunch in your tacos.
- Pineapple: to save on time, use a store-bought pico de Gallo or any fresh salsa and add pineapple.
- Tomato
- Cilantro
- Red Onion
- Lime Juice
Variations
- Add fresh cilantro, lime juice or cotija cheese.
- Turn the salsa into a corn salsa by adding bbq corn.
- Save your extra homemade cajun seasoning for creamy Cajun shrimp pasta and Cajun salmon pasta.
Dietary Modifications
- To make gluten-free, use a gluten-free tortilla.
- These are dairy-free as written.
How to make blackened chicken tacos
Step 1: prep the salsa
You want to prep your salsa first and let it set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. Using a cutting board, chop all of your salsa ingredients and add them to a large bowl. Top with salt and lime. Cover, shake together well, and place in the fridge to marinate.
Step 2: prep and cook the chicken
Preheat the air fryer and prep your chicken by cutting into thin strips. Add all the blackened seasoning ingredients to a bowl and combine with the chicken. Place chicken strips in a single layer to the air fryer pan and cook at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 minutes until cooked through.
Step 3: assemble tacos
Brown your tortillas over medium-high heat. I like to throw them directly onto the stovetop flame. You can also broil them in the oven or toss them on the BBQ until they have dark golden brown marks. Top the tortillas with cabbage, blackened chicken, pineapple salsa, fresh cilantro, lime juice and a storebought crema for some creaminess.
Expert Tip!
Always place chicken in an even layer in the air fryer. This ensures an even cook for perfectly juicy chicken.
Recipe FAQs
These blackened chicken tacos are great as a stand alone meal, however you can add traditional side dishes like beans and rice or my Easy Spanish Rice or Broccoli Crunch Salad.
Bake the chicken at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 20 minutes until cooked through. You can also bbq, or pan sear the chicken over the stovetop until cooked through and no longer pink.
Yes! Prep your pineapple salsa and chicken the day before and come home to easy chicken tacos. Just simply warm your chicken and build your tacos on flour or corn tortillas.
Check out some of our other easy meals!
If you make this recipe, please leave a rating and/or comment! Tag me on Instagram @ohsnapmacros, I love hearing from you!
Blackened Chicken Tacos
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Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast, raw
- 1 tbsp. smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp.. salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 1/4 to 1 tsp. tsp cayenne pepper
Pineapple Salsa
- 1 cup (150g) chopped pineapple
- 2 medium vine tomatoes (200g)
- 1/2 cup (50g) thinly sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (loosely packed)
- 1/2 tbsp. lime juice
- 1/4 tsp. salt
Tacos
- La Banderita Carb Counter Snack Size Tortillas
- thinly sliced cabbage
- fresh chopped cilantro
- crema sauce of choice
Instructions
- You will want to prep your salsa first and let it set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. Using a cutting board, chop all of your salsa ingredients and add them to a large bowl. Top with salt and lime. Cover, shake together well, and place in the fridge to marinate.
- Preheat the air fryer and prep your chicken and cut it into thin strips. For instructions on how to cook in the oven or BBQ see the above section. Add all the blackened seasoning ingredients to a bowl and combine with the chicken. Place chicken strips in a single layer to the air fryer pan and cook at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 minutes until cooked through.
- Brown your tortillas over medium-high heat. We like to throw them directly onto the stovetop flame. You can also broil them in the oven or toss them on the BBQ until they have dark golden brown marks. Top the tortillas with cabbage, Air Fryer Blackened Chicken, pineapple salsa, fresh cilantro, lime juice and crema.Serve: this recipe makes 12 snack size tacos using La Banderita Snack Size tortillas. 1 tortilla, pinch of cabbage, approximately 1.5 oz. cooked chicken and approximately 30 grams of salsa.
Notes
- All nutrition facts are an estimate and will change with any substitutions. These facts include tortillas mentioned.
- Use chicken thighs or tenders for more flavor.
- Always place chicken in an even layer in the air fryer so they cook evenly. You may have to work in batches.
These tacos were delicious! And I could eat that pineapple salsa by itself with a spoon lol. Thanks for another great recipe!
Can the cilantro be omitted?
Sure!
delish!!! the salsa is the perfect touch to our already loved blackened chicken!
Are the macros for one taco?
Yes, makes 12.
OMG. No words. So delish! Don’t change a thing. I made mine with coconut rice and black beans.