Description
These Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Chicken Tacos are the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and buttery goodness! Tender, shredded BBQ chicken is tossed in a garlic butter honey glaze and loaded into warm tortillas with crisp slaw, creamy avocado, and fresh toppings. Perfect for weeknight dinners, taco nights, or BBQ parties, these tacos are quick, easy, and absolutely delicious!
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- Chicken breasts or thighs (for juicy, tender meat)
- Butter (adds richness to the sauce)
- Garlic, minced (for deep, aromatic flavor)
- BBQ sauce (use your favorite smoky or sweet sauce)
- Honey (balances the smokiness with natural sweetness)
- Smoked paprika (adds extra smoky depth)
- Salt & pepper (to enhance flavor)
For the Tacos
- Tortillas (flour or corn, warmed)
- Cabbage slaw (for a fresh, crunchy bite)
- Avocado, sliced (adds creamy texture)
- Cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or cotija)
- Jalapeños, sliced (for optional heat)
- Fresh cilantro & lime wedges (for a bright, zesty finish)
Instructions
Heat a pan over medium heat and melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Place chicken breasts or thighs in the pan, season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika, and cook until golden brown on both sides.
Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and let it rest for a few minutes. Use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces.
In the same pan, add more butter, then stir in BBQ sauce and honey. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to combine all the flavors. Add the shredded chicken back into the sauce and mix until fully coated.
Heat the tortillas in a dry skillet for a few seconds on each side until warm and slightly charred.
Fill each tortilla with a generous amount of BBQ chicken, then top with crunchy slaw, sliced avocado, shredded cheese, jalapeños, and fresh cilantro. Finish with a squeeze of lime juice for extra flavor!
Notes
- For extra smoky flavor, add a pinch of chipotle powder to the BBQ sauce.
- Make it spicy by using hot honey or a spicier BBQ sauce.
- Swap the chicken for pulled pork, shrimp, or jackfruit for a different variation.
- Make it low-carb by serving the BBQ chicken in lettuce wraps instead of tortillas.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg