🌮 Beer-Marinated Chicken Tacos (Detailed Recipe)
Servings: 4–6
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Marination Time: 1–12 hours
Cook Time: 10–15 minutes
🧂 Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade
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1 ½ lbs (680 g) boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
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1 cup light Mexican beer (Corona, Modelo, Pacifico, or similar)
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3 tbsp lime juice (freshly squeezed)
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2 tbsp orange juice (optional but recommended for flavor depth)
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1 tbsp olive oil
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3 garlic cloves, minced
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1 tsp ground cumin
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1 tsp chili powder (or smoked paprika if you prefer smoky notes)
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1 tsp oregano (Mexican oregano preferred)
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½ tsp onion powder
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½ tsp black pepper
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1 tsp salt (or to taste)
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Optional heat: 1 minced jalapeño or ½ tsp cayenne
For Serving
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10–14 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
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Diced white onion
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Fresh cilantro, chopped
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Lime wedges
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Salsa (verde, roja, chipotle, or mango salsa)
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Diced avocado or guacamole
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Cotija or queso fresco (optional)
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Pickled red onions (optional)
🍺 Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Marinade
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In a bowl or zip-top bag, combine beer, lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, garlic, and all spices.
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Whisk until everything blends well.
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Add the chicken, ensuring it’s fully submerged.
Note: Don’t marinate for more than 12 hours or the acids may soften the meat too much, causing mushiness.
2️⃣ Marinate the Chicken
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Seal the bowl or bag and refrigerate.
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Minimum: 1 hour
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Ideal: 3–6 hours
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Maximum: 12 hours
3️⃣ Cook the Chicken
You can grill, pan-sear, or air-fry the chicken:
Grilling (Best Flavor)
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Heat grill to medium-high.
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Remove chicken and pat lightly with paper towels.
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Grill 5–7 minutes each side until lightly charred and cooked through.
Pan-Searing
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Heat a skillet over medium-high and add a bit of oil.
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Sear chicken until browned and cooked through, flipping once.
Air Frying
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Preheat to 190°C (375°F).
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Air fry 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.
Chicken is ready when it reaches 74°C / 165°F internal temperature.
4️⃣ Slice and Finish
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Let chicken rest 3–5 minutes before cutting.
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Slice or chop into taco-friendly pieces.
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Warm tortillas over a dry skillet or flame until slightly charred.
🌮 Assemble Your Tacos
Layer in this order for best texture:
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Warm tortilla
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Chicken
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Onions + cilantro
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Salsa + avocado
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Cheese or pickled onions
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Fresh lime squeeze
⭐ Optional Add-Ons
| Add-On | Notes |
|---|---|
| Chipotle mayo | Adds creamy smoky heat |
| Grilled pineapple | Adds sweet-tangy balance |
| Shredded cabbage | Adds crunch |
| Refried beans base spread | Adds richness |
🔥 Flavor Variations
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Smoky Variant: replace chili powder with chipotle in adobo + smoked paprika
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Citrus-Forward: increase lime juice, reduce beer slightly
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Sweet-Heat: add 1 tbsp honey + a pinch of cayenne
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Dark Beer Twist: use porter or stout for caramel-like flavor
🥂 Serving Pairings
INGREDIENTS
Marinade
- 1 cup dark Mexican beer, such as Negra Modelo
- 2 tablespoons dark sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, about 4 ounces each
- 2 ripe Haas avocados
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 flour or corn tortillas (6 to 7 inches)
1. In a small bowl whisk the marinade ingredients. Place the thighs in a large, plastic resealable bag and pour in the marinade. Press the air out of the bag and seal tightly. Turn the bag to distribute the marinade, place the bag in a bowl, and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours, turning the bag occasionally.
2. Scoop the avocado flesh into a medium bowl. Add the lime juice and salt. Using a fork, mash the ingredients together. Cover with plastic wrap, placing it directly on the surface to prevent browning, and refrigerate until about 1 hour before serving.
3. Remove the thighs from the bag and discard the marinade. Grill over direct high heat (450°F to 550°F), with the lid closed as much as possible, until the meat is firm and the juices run clear, 8 to 10 minutes, turning once or twice. Cut the chicken into thin strips.
4. Warm the tortillas over direct medium heat (350°F to 450°F) for about 1 minute, turning once. Pile the sliced chicken inside the tortillas. Top each with a spoonful of guacamole. Serve warm. The Weber grill recipe makes 4 to 6 servings ..a great one !
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