Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Chicken Tacos

Table of Contents

Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Chicken Tacos are a flavorful, easy-to-make dish that combines the richness of garlic butter, the sweetness of honey, and the smoky tang of BBQ sauce. The tender chicken is coated in a delicious sauce, then tucked into soft tortillas for a tasty, satisfying meal. Perfect for taco night, they bring a little twist on the classic chicken taco with a savory-sweet combination.

Time:

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

1 tbsp olive oil

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)

For the Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Sauce:

2 tbsp butter

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp honey

1/4 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite kind)

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (optional, for tang)

Salt and pepper, to taste

For Serving:

8 small flour or corn tortillas

Shredded lettuce

Sliced avocado

Chopped cilantro

Lime wedges

Additional BBQ sauce (optional)

Instructions:

Prep the Chicken:

Season the chicken breasts (or thighs) with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Remove from the pan and set aside to rest.

Make the Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Sauce:

In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Stir in the honey, BBQ sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Bring to a simmer and let it cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.

Shred the Chicken:

Once the chicken has rested for a few minutes, use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces.

Add the shredded chicken to the skillet with the garlic butter honey BBQ sauce and toss to coat evenly.

Assemble the Tacos:

Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave.

Spoon the saucy garlic butter honey BBQ chicken into the center of each tortilla.

Top with shredded lettuce, sliced avocado, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.

Optionally, drizzle with additional BBQ sauce for extra flavor.

Serve:

Serve the tacos immediately with lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of freshness.

Here’s a Q/A and nutrition info section for the Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Chicken Tacos:

Q/A:

Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking fresh chicken?
A: Absolutely! Shred about 2–3 cups of rotisserie chicken and toss it directly in the garlic butter honey BBQ sauce to save time.

Q: What’s the best BBQ sauce to use?
A: Any BBQ sauce you love works! For sweeter tacos, use a honey BBQ or brown sugar BBQ sauce. For a smoky flavor, go with a hickory-smoked BBQ sauce.

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes! Cook and shred the chicken, then store it separately from the sauce. When ready to serve, reheat everything together in a pan, adding a splash of water if needed.

Estimated Nutrition (per 1 taco, assuming 8 tacos total):

Calories: 250–280
Protein: 18g
Fat: 11g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Sugar: 8g
Fiber: 2g
Sodium: 420mg

Note: Nutrition can vary depending on the BBQ sauce brand and tortilla size you use.