If you love fast-food style tacos, this homemade Del Taco Chicken Soft Taco recipe is perfect for you. It is juicy, flavorful, creamy, and very easy to prepare at home. Instead of driving to a restaurant, you can make fresh and delicious chicken soft tacos in your own kitchen in just 25 minutes (plus marinating time).
This recipe uses simple ingredients like chicken thighs, taco seasoning, lime juice, garlic, mayonnaise, sour cream, fresh tomatoes, lettuce, and cheddar cheese. The result is a soft, tender taco filled with grilled chicken and topped with a creamy lime sauce.
If you enjoy easy, beginner-friendly recipes, this one is perfect. The steps are simple, the ingredients are easy to find, and the flavor tastes just like your favorite fast-food taco — maybe even better!
What Is Del Taco Chicken Soft Taco?
Del Taco is a popular American fast-food chain known for Mexican-inspired dishes like tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. One of their most loved menu items is the Chicken Soft Taco.
A Del Taco Chicken Soft Taco is made with:
- Seasoned grilled chicken
- Soft flour tortilla
- Fresh lettuce and tomatoes
- Creamy sauce
- Shredded cheddar cheese
It is lighter than crunchy tacos and has a soft, chewy tortilla that wraps around juicy chicken and fresh toppings.
This homemade version copies that flavor but uses fresh ingredients and no preservatives.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- ✔ Easy to make at home
- ✔ Simple ingredients
- ✔ Budget-friendly
- ✔ Family-friendly meal
- ✔ Great for meal prep
- ✔ Customizable toppings
- ✔ Better than takeout
This recipe is also perfect for busy weeknights because cooking takes only 15 minutes.
Equipment’s
You will need:
- Mixing bowl
- Griller or grill pan
- Measuring cup
- Measuring spoon
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Plate
- Air fryer or oven (to warm tortillas)
Ingredients With Amounts
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp McCormick Taco Seasoning Mix, Recommended
- Juice of 2 limes (divided)
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Creamy Sauce:
- ½ cup Hellmann’s Mayonaise, Recommended
- ¼ cup Daisy Sour Cream, Recommended
- 1 tbsp whole milk
- Remaining lime juice
For the Tacos:
- 8 soft flour tortillas
- 2 medium tomatoes, diced
- 1 ½ cups romaine lettuce, thinly sliced
- 1 cup Kraft Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Recommended
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
In a mixing bowl, combine chicken thighs, taco seasoning, chopped garlic, and juice of 1 lime. Mix well.
Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours (up to 24 hours for best flavor).
Step 2: Grill the Chicken
Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
Remove excess marinade from the chicken. Grill for 10–15 minutes, turning occasionally, until fully cooked.
The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C).
Remove from heat and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Lime Sauce
In another bowl, mix mayonnaise, sour cream, whole milk, and remaining lime juice.
Stir until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4: Prepare the Toppings
Thinly slice the romaine lettuce. Dice the tomatoes.
Slice the grilled chicken into small pieces.
Step 5: Warm the Tortillas
Warm tortillas in an air fryer at 390°F for 2 minutes.
You can also warm them in the oven for 2–3 minutes.
Remove before they puff up.
Step 6: Assemble the Tacos
Lay tortillas flat.
Spread creamy lime sauce on each tortilla.
Add grilled chicken pieces.
Top with lettuce and diced tomatoes.
Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Chicken thighs stay juicy and flavorful.
- You can use chicken breasts if preferred.
- Marinating overnight gives the best taste.
- Do not overcook the chicken to keep it tender.
Variations
1. Spicy Version
Add hot sauce or red chili flakes to the marinade.
2. Chipotle Flavor
Mix chipotle powder into the creamy sauce.
3. Low-Carb Option
Use lettuce wraps instead of flour tortillas.
4. Extra Cheesy
Add Monterey Jack or Mexican blend cheese.
5. Grilled Veggie Add-On
Add grilled bell peppers and onions for more flavor.
Tips
- Always let the chicken rest before slicing.
- Warm tortillas just before serving.
- Use fresh lime juice for better flavor.
- Slice chicken into small bite-size pieces for easy eating.
- Double the recipe for parties.
What To Serve With Del Taco Chicken Soft Taco?
These soft chicken tacos taste great with:
- Mexican rice
- Refried beans
- Guacamole
- Salsa and tortilla chips
- Corn salad
- French fries
You can also serve them with a fresh lemonade or iced tea.
How To Store Del Taco Chicken Soft Taco?
Refrigerator
Store grilled chicken separately in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Store sauce separately for up to 2 days.
Freezer
Freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months.
Do not freeze assembled tacos.
Reheating
Reheat chicken in a skillet or microwave until warm.
Assemble tacos fresh before serving.
Our Other Recipes:
Del Taco Chicken Soft Taco Recipe
Equipment & Tools
- Mixing Bowl
- Griller or grill pan
- Measuring Cup
- Measuring Spoon
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Plate
- Air fryer or oven (to warm tortillas)
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp McCormick Taco Seasoning Mix, Recommended
- Juice of 2 limes divided
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Creamy Sauce:
- ½ cup Hellmann's Mayonaise, Recommended
- ¼ cup Daisy Sour Cream, Recommended
- 1 tbsp whole milk
- Remaining lime juice
For the Tacos:
- 8 soft flour tortillas
- 2 medium tomatoes diced
- 1 ½ cups romaine lettuce thinly sliced
- 1 cup Kraft Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Recommended
Instructions
- n a mixing bowl, combine chicken thighs, taco seasoning, chopped garlic, and juice of 1 lime. Mix well.
- Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours (up to 24 hours for best flavor).
- Step 2: Grill the Chicken
- Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Remove excess marinade from the chicken. Grill for 10–15 minutes, turning occasionally, until fully cooked.
- The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C).
- Remove from heat and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes.
- Step 3: Make the Creamy Lime Sauce
- In another bowl, mix mayonnaise, sour cream, whole milk, and remaining lime juice.
- Stir until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 4: Prepare the Toppings
- Thinly slice the romaine lettuce. Dice the tomatoes.
- Slice the grilled chicken into small pieces.
- Step 5: Warm the Tortillas
- Warm tortillas in an air fryer at 390°F for 2 minutes.
- You can also warm them in the oven for 2–3 minutes.
- Remove before they puff up.
- Step 6: Assemble the Tacos
- Lay tortillas flat.
- Spread creamy lime sauce on each tortilla.
- Add grilled chicken pieces.
- Top with lettuce and diced tomatoes.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Valuable Information
What To Serve With Del Taco Chicken Soft Taco?
Cowboy Beans, Black Beans & Rice, Chipotle Crema, Lime & Coriander Rice, Elotes, Avocado Crema, Sopes, and Mexican Rice With Chipotle are the best side dishes for Del Taco Chicken Soft Taco.
How To Store Del Taco Chicken Soft Taco?
You should store your taco shell and taco filling separately.
Taco: Store taco shells in airtight containers in the pantry for maximum freshness and shelf life. Keep away from the cold.
Taco Filling: Stored your leftover taco filling in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze it for 2 to 3 months in the freezer. When reheating frozen taco meat, it is important to defrost it in the refrigerator overnight so you can get the best possible results.
How Do You Reheat Leftover Taco Shell And Taco Filling?
Taco: The best way to reheat tacos is in the air fryer. To heat the tacos in the air fryer, you need only set the temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and lay them on the racks. Heat until the tacos are warmed through.
Taco Filling: Place the taco meat in a pan on medium-low heat. Repeatedly stir the mixture and, if necessary, add a splash of chicken broth or water to restore the moisture. When the taco meat reaches a temperature where it is uniformly heated throughout, it is ready to be served.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Tacos?
Tacos can be a source of a healthy balance of protein, lipids, and carbohydrates as well as ample levels of fiber, vitamin C, calcium, and iron if they are prepared with an emphasis on using nutritious components.
Our Other Recipes:
Conclusion
This homemade Del Taco Chicken Soft Taco recipe is simple, flavorful, and perfect for any day of the week. It brings restaurant-style taste into your kitchen using fresh ingredients and easy steps.
The juicy grilled chicken, creamy lime sauce, fresh lettuce, and melted cheddar cheese create a delicious combination wrapped in a soft tortilla.
Make this recipe once, and it may become a regular favorite in your home. Try it today and enjoy a better-than-takeout taco experience!
