Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Chicken Tacos
Who doesn’t love tacos? They’re flavorful, customizable, and perfect for any occasion. If you’re looking for a dish that balances sweet, savory, and smoky flavors, Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Chicken Tacos are the perfect choice. These tacos feature tender, juicy chicken coated in a rich, garlicky butter sauce with a hint of honey and a tangy BBQ glaze. Wrapped in warm tortillas and topped with fresh ingredients, they are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re making a weeknight dinner, planning a backyard cookout, or hosting a taco night, this recipe will be a hit. Let’s dive into how to make the best Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Chicken Tacos at home!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbsboneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tspsalt
- ½ tspblack pepper
- ½ tspsmoked paprika
- ½ tspgarlic powder
- ½ tsponion powder
- 1 tbspolive oil
- 3 tbspunsalted butter
- 4 clovesgarlic, minced
- ¼ cuphoney
- ½ cupbbq sauce (your favorite brand or homemade)
- 1 tbspsoy sauce
- 1 tbspapple cider vinegar
- ½ tspred pepper flakes (optional, for a spicy kick)
- 8 smallflour or corn tortillas
- ½ cupshredded lettuce
- ½ cupdiced tomatoes
- ¼ cupfinely chopped red onion
- ½ cupshredded cheddar or monterey jack cheese
- ¼ cupchopped fresh cilantro
- 1lime, cut into wedges
- ½ cupsour cream or greek yogurt (for serving)
Directions
- 1
Season the chicken – In a bowl, mix salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Rub the seasoning all over the chicken breasts or thighs to ensure even coverage.
- 2
Sear the chicken – Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C)). Remove from the skillet and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing into strips.
- 3
Melt the butter – In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Let it melt.
- 4
Sauté the garlic – Add the minced garlic and cook for 30-45 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.
- 5
Add the sauce ingredients – Stir in honey, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix well and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
- 6
Coat the chicken – Return the sliced chicken to the skillet, tossing it in the sauce until fully coated. Let it simmer for another 2 minutes so the flavors meld together.
- 7
Heat a dry skillet over medium heat.
- 8
Place each tortilla on the skillet for 15-20 seconds per side, just until warm and slightly charred.
- 9
Fill each tortilla with a generous portion of the glazed chicken.
- 10
Add toppings – Layer with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, chopped red onion, shredded cheese, and fresh cilantro.
- 11
Finish with a squeeze of lime for a burst of freshness.
- 12
Serve with sour cream or Greek yogurt on the side for extra creaminess.