ReelsMealsStart cooking

Super Quick Chicken Tacos

Recipe by Sam Kelly on InstagramAdded 1 August 2026.

10 minutes to prep, 10 to cook. These chicken tacos are ready in just 20 minutes, featuring tender seasoned chicken, crisp lettuce, and fresh salsa wrapped in warm corn tortillas. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.

See all 13 versions of chicken tacos, compared

Free. No account needed.

Super Quick Chicken Tacos by Sam Kelly, a frame from the Instagram video

Method

  1. Gather all ingredients and equipment; preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat.

  2. Add olive oil to the hot skillet and swirl to coat the surface.

  3. Season the chicken strips with taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper, then add them to the skillet.

  4. Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally, for 5‑7 minutes until fully cooked and lightly browned.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The chicken is fully cooked and lightly browned. Stir occasionally for even cooking.

  5. While the chicken cooks, place the corn tortillas on a plate and cover with a clean kitchen towel; microwave for 30 seconds or heat in a dry skillet for 20 seconds per side to warm them.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The tortillas are warm. Warm them in the microwave or a dry skillet.

  6. Prepare the fresh toppings: combine diced red onion, tomato, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice in a small bowl to make a quick salsa.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: Dice the onion and tomato and combine them with cilantro and lime juice.

  7. Once the chicken is done, remove it from heat and let it rest for 2 minutes.

  8. Assemble each taco: lay a warm tortilla on a plate, add a spoonful of chicken, then top with shredded lettuce, cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and the fresh salsa.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: Add the toppings after the chicken so each taco is easy to assemble.

  9. Serve immediately with extra lime wedges on the side for additional brightness.

  10. Enjoy your Super Quick Chicken Tacos while hot!

Tips while you cook

Warm tortillas while chicken cooks
Place the corn tortillas on a plate, cover with a towel, and microwave for 30 seconds or heat in a dry skillet for 20 seconds per side as the chicken finishes cooking.
Rest chicken before assembling
After cooking, remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for 2 minutes before adding it to the tacos.
Prepare salsa during cooking
Combine diced red onion, tomato, cilantro, and lime juice in a bowl while the chicken is cooking to have fresh salsa ready for assembly.

Notes from ReelsMeals, based on this recipe's ingredients, times and method. They are not the creator's instructions.

Made it?

Tap a star to rate it. Ratings help other cooks decide what to make next.

Rate this recipe

Watch Sam Kelly make it. The video loads from Instagram when you tap.

Sam Kelly made this.

The recipe comes from Sam Kelly’s Instagram reel. ReelsMeals wrote it down from the caption and the voiceover. Check the original if something looks off, and for anything about allergens.

Are you Sam Kelly and want this changed? Email [email protected].

Share or print it

Credit or embed it on your own site

Chicken tacos, 13 ways

Twelve creators posted their own. Most use chicken, garlic cloves, coriander and lime.

  1. Andy Cooks35 min16 ingr.Only this one uses orange, adobo juice and ground cumin
  2. Brooke Carson50 min11 ingr.Only this one uses sriracha and red pepper flakes
  3. Sam Kelly20 min13 ingr.Only this one uses taco seasoning
  4. Iram Mansoor35 min19 ingr.Only this one uses mini tortillas and mozzarella cheese
  5. Ahmad Alzahabi35 min13 ingr.Only this one uses cumin, sazon and chihuahua cheese
  6. Zachary Neman30 min17 ingr.Only this one uses chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, goya chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and jalapeno
Compare all 13 side by side

More dinner recipes