A Mexican Fiesta: Grilled Tamarind Chicken Tacos

A Mexican Fiesta!, Dinner, Hungry, Lunch, , , , , , , , 18 Comments

Last summer while sitting at the airport in San Antonio, Texas I picked up a copy of The Best of Fine Cookings Mexican Recipes.

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While flipping through the pages on our way to LAX I found a recipe for Grilled Tamarind Chicken Tacos.  My mouth was instantly watering because I could only imagine the flavor the tangy tamarind soda added to the chicken marinade.

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The recipe was put on my list of must make as soon as possible list.  Then we went on vacation and 2 weeks later I returned home and had Hawaii on the mind.  Then two weeks ago I came across this recipe again while flipping through the same magazine and went to the store immediately.  The next evening these Grilled Tamarind Chicken Tacos were dinner on the patio.

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I changed up the original recipe by adding some extra spices… Chipotle Chile powder, Cumin, Onion Powder, Smoked Paprika, Grated Fresh Garlic (instead of crushed garlic) and Lime Zest.  The next night I set up a taco bar and grilled up the tamarind chicken for the husband and a friend. This was the BEST grilled chicken I’ve EVER made.  Between three people and the mountain of chicken there was not a single strip of left.

Happy Taco Tuesday!!!

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Grilled Tamarind Chicken

Ingredients: 

2-1/2 pound Chicken Thighs, boneless skinless

1 Teaspoon Ancho Chile Powder

1 Teaspoon Chipotle Chile Powder

1 Teaspoon Cumin

1 Teaspoon Onion Powder

1/2 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika

1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper

5 Cloves Garlic, grated

1 Tablespoon of Lime Zest + Juice

1/2 Cup Soy Sauce

12 ounces Tamarind Soda

Directions:

In a large bowl toss the chicken with the spices, lime zest and grated garlic.  Add in the soy sauce and the tamarind soda.

Marinated Tamarind Chicken

Cover and marinate the chicken for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.

Preheat a grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates so the chicken doesn’t stick.  Grill the chicken until completely cooked through, about 10 minutes, turning a couple of times.

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Transfer the chicken to a platter and squeeze the juice of the zested lime over the top of the hot chicken. Cover with foil allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes.  Slice the chicken into strips and serve.

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Set up a Taco Bar:

Warm Corn and Flour Tortillas

Pico de Gallo

Sliced Avocado

Crumbled Queso Fresco

Pickled Jalapeños

Mexican Crema

Limes

Cilantro

*This post will also be shared on Fiesta Friday 

Posted by

My name is Melody and I am the cook and blogger behind Meals With Mel. I have a love for traveling, I share a joy for gardening, and I have a passion for cooking. Although I do some baking, I don't consider myself a baker as I can't stand having to measure. When it comes to cooking my philosophy is add a bit of this, a dash of that, a splash of something doesn't hurt, never forget some type of pepper and always add at least one clove of garlic. Thanks for stopping by my Spicy Texas Kitchen and I hope to see you again!!! Melody

18 thoughts on “A Mexican Fiesta: Grilled Tamarind Chicken Tacos”

    1. Thanks Kathryn 🙂
      I hope you try the tacos!! If looking for the soda it will not be on the soda aisle but it’s on the Mexican Food aisle. Well, at least that’s where its at in Texas. It’s actually a pretty tasty soda.

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    1. Thanks Rhonda!!
      We love tortillas too. In fact, you will almost never find a loaf of bread in this house just tortillas.
      As for the dishes they have all come from trips to Mexico (you should see my suitcase on the way home) and the most recent piece was the tortilla warmer. Mexican pottery is the best because it’s practically indestructible.

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      1. I have never heard of a tortilla warmer! I just stick a couple in the toaster oven. Or if we have a crowd, wrap them in foil and set them in the oven… This sounds like something I need to have! thanks Melody!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. The tortilla warmer just keeps the tortillas “warm” after they’ve been toasted or heated. Since this one is made of clay it really holds heat 🙂

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    1. Thanks Stefan 🙂
      That was my initial reaction too “Umm soy sauce ??”. But that is what the original recipe called for so I went with it.
      Hope you are well and it was good to hear from you!!
      Melody

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  8. Melody this looks like an amazing feast – thank you so much for sharing at Fiesta Friday 🙂 I’ve never seen Tamarind Soda here but I’m guessing I could mix up something similar for my boys? I’m sure they would love this chicken and I might just have to try a tofu version myself!

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