35 Mexican Chicken Recipes

Updated: Apr. 29, 2024

This list of Mexican chicken recipes includes traditional meals, like tamales, plus Tex-Mex and southwestern food.

No weekly meal plan is complete without one of our Mexican chicken recipes. Pick up chicken breasts or thighs, plus seasonings and vegetables, and put a Mexican dinner on the menu. From simple meals like tacos and enchiladas to all-day projects like tamales, your next chicken dinner will be anything but ordinary.

To put together this list of Mexican chicken recipes, we choose authentic Mexican foods as well as meals with Mexican-inspired flavors. From skillets to sopes, no two recipes are repeats!

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Flavorful Chicken Fajitas

This Mexican chicken recipe is definitely on my weeknight dinner rotation. The marinated chicken in these popular wraps is mouthwatering. The fajitas go together in a snap and always get raves! —Julie Sterchi, Campbellsville, Kentucky
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Chicken Tamales

I love making these homemade tamales. They take a little time to make but are so worth the effort. —Cindy Pruitt, Grove, Oklahoma
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Chicken Mole

If you’re not familiar with chicken mole (pronounced mo-LAY), don’t be afraid of this versatile Mexican sauce. I love sharing this chicken mole recipe because it’s a great one to experiment with. —Darlene Morris, Franklinton, Louisiana
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Chicken Soft Tacos

My family loves these homemade tacos. The chicken filling cooks in the slow cooker, so it’s convenient to throw it together before I leave for work. At the end of the day, I just have to roll it up in a soft taco shell with the remaining ingredients and dinner’s ready in minutes. The chicken also makes a great topping for salad. —Cheryl Newendorp, Pella, Iowa
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Chicken-Stuffed Cubanelle Peppers

Here’s a different take on traditional stuffed peppers. I substituted chicken for the beef and used Cubanelle peppers instead of the green peppers usually featured in such a dish. —Ron Burlingame, Canton, Ohio
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Baked Chicken Chimichangas

I developed this quick and easy recipe through trial and error. I used to garnish it with sour cream, too, but I eliminated it to lighten the recipe. My friends all love it when I cook these chimichangas, and they’re much healthier than deep-fried. —Rickey Madden, Clinton, South Carolina
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Margarita Chicken

Marinated in flavors of garlic and lime, this tangy margarita chicken is ready to go whenever the coals are hot! Serve with roasted corn on the cob and lemonade. —Kelly Bruneman, Cedar Park, Texas
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Dutch Oven Enchiladas

Scoop up a bite of these delicious Dutch oven enchiladas. It is a simple recipe to put together and is easily customizable based on your tastes! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Cilantro-Lime Chicken

As a working mom and home cook, I strive to have fabulous, flavor-packed dinners that make my family smile. Nothing is more awesome than a slow-cooker recipe that makes it seem as though you've been cooking in the kitchen all day! —Mari Smith, Ashburn, Virginia
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Chicken Tomatillo Soup

I had tomatillos to use and wanted to make something more exquisite than salsa verde. I combined two favorite recipes, added my own special touches and made chicken tomatillo soup. Feel free to add cayenne pepper or Tabasco sauce to spice it up. —Katrina Krumm, Apple Valley, Minnesota
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Sopes

Sopes are a common Mexican street food, often eaten as snacks. Each cup is typically topped with refried beans, meat, and cheese—but they’re endlessly customizable. Experiment with toppings to see what variation of this sopes recipe is your favorite. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Fiesta Chorizo-Chicken Soup

Just place some crusty rolls on the table when you serve this soup and you’ll have a hearty, comforting meal. The soup has a slightly spicy kick from the chorizo and is chock-full of veggies. —Kathy Rodenbeck, Fort Wayne, Indiana
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Spicy Chicken Enchiladas

Cooked chicken strips and canned enchilada sauce hurry along this zesty entree. I came up with this spicy chicken enchiladas recipe shortly after I got married. It’s a delicious dinner for two that’s easy to double for company. —Amy Dando, Apalachin, New York
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Easy Arroz con Pollo

My children really look forward to dinner when they know I’m serving this. The traditional Mexican rice is easy to make and full of flavor. —Debbie Harris, Tucson, Arizona
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Chiles Rellenos Chicken

There’s a little math and a lot of mouthwatering flavor in this simple dinner recipe. The creamy cilantro and lime sauce would taste terrific with rice or egg noodles. —Julie De Matteo, Clementon, New Jersey
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Quick Cilantro Chicken

If you’re a fan of cilantro, you’ll definitely like this chicken dish. The cilantro adds herbal flavor, melding with the tangy lemon juice and caramelized onions. —Mary Pipkin, Melba, Idaho
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Chicken Veggie Fajitas

Our family loves the spicy flavor of these fajitas. I also appreciate the fact that they’re fast to fix. —Eleanor Martens, Rosenort, Manitoba
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Mini Chicken Empanadas

Refrigerated pie crust makes assembling these bite-sized appetizers loaded with chicken and cheese easy. I’ve made them several times since receiving the recipe from a friend. —Betty Fulks, Onia, Arkansas
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Chicken Tostada Cups

Several years ago, I tried a version of these cups at a Mexican restaurant in Santa Fe, and I wanted to make my own spin. They’re perfect for gatherings where you can let everyone add their own favorite toppings. —Marla Clark, Moriarty, New Mexico
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Green Chile Chicken Chili

The prep work for this chili is easy thanks to several pantry staples. It’s loaded with shredded chicken and beans. The spicy heat can be tamed a bit with cool sour cream. —Fred Lockwood, Plano, Texas
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Chicken Fajita Chowder

This south-of-the-border chowder is one of my favorite slow cooker recipes, and it’s a winner at family dinners. We like ours topped with fresh avocado, shredded cheddar cheese and chili cheese corn chips. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
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Zippy Chicken Enchiladas

Leftover chicken gets an awesome makeover in this rich and creamy casserole. This colorful dish is loaded with flavor. It’s a nice change of pace from beef enchiladas. —Julie Moutray, Wichita, Kansas
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Shortcut Oven-Baked Chicken Chimichangas

Mimic the crunch of chimichangas by brushing them with oil and baking them. Our children love to have them when they get home late after school activities. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona
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Margarita Chicken Quesadillas

Quesadillas have never tasted as good as when they are filled with slightly sweet onions and peppers and topped with lime butter and salt. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory. —Stephanie Bright, Simpsonville, South Carolina
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Baked Chicken Chalupas

I wanted an easy alternative to deep-fried chalupas, so I bake them with the filling on top. —Magdalena Flores, Abilene, Texas
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Slow-Cooked Chicken Enchilada Soup

This soup delivers a big bowl of fresh comfort—just ask my husband. Toppings like avocado, sour cream and tortilla strips are a must. —Heather Sewell, Harrisonville, Missouri
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Chicken Tostada Salad

If I don't have any tostada shells on hand for this speedy salad, I just heat taco shells, break them in half and lay them flat on the plates. It works just as well. Great Southwest flavor! —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
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Chicken Burritos

This mouthwatering chicken burrito recipe makes enough for two casseroles, so you can enjoy one today and freeze the other for a busy weeknight. They’re super to have on hand for quick meals or to take to gatherings. —Sonya Nightingale, Burley, Idaho
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Mexican Chicken Chili

Corn and black beans give this satisfying chili a Mexican flair the whole family will love. Adjust the cayenne if you have small children or are looking for a little less zip. —Stephanie Rabbitt-Schappacher, West Chester, Ohio
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Chicken Flautas

Flautas are similar to taquitos, but flautas are usually made with flour tortillas that are slightly larger than the corn tortillas typically used for making taquitos. Serve these chicken flautas with your favorite toppings and sides, such as refried beans and rice. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Chicken Verde Quesadillas

I used the corn, peppers and zucchini in my fridge to create these quick and easy quesadillas. Dollop with sour cream and you're good to go. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington
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Chicken Tacos with Avocado Salsa

A few people in my family have special dietary needs, but luckily, these chicken tacos work for all of us. I toss up a simple green salad and have a meal we can all enjoy together. —Christine Schenher, Exeter, California
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Chicken Burrito Skillet

We love Mexican night at our house, and I love to re-create dishes from our favorite restaurants. This burrito-inspired dish is ready for the table in almost no time! —Krista Marshall, Fort Wayne, Indiana
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Simple Salsa Chicken

My husband and I prefer our food a little spicier than our children, so I created this salsa chicken recipe just for the two of us. It’s now a regular menu item at our house. —Jan Cooper, Troy, Alabama
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Hearty Chicken Enchiladas

This slow-cooker shredded chicken enchiladas recipe is my husband and I’s favorite dish. You can modify it to suit your taste, adding corn, rice or refried beans. —Jenny Miller, Raleigh, North Carolina

Mexican Chicken Recipes FAQ

How should you season Mexican chicken recipes?

Popular seasonings include chili powder, garlic, paprika, cumin and Tajín. Other ways to bring out flavors include cooking the seasoned chicken with onions or chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (if you don’t mind the heat).

What sides go well with Mexican chicken dishes?

Serve the chicken with traditional Mexican side dishes like rice, refried beans, elote or guacamole. Or, keep the sides light and fresh. Pair the chicken with a salad or sauteed vegetables.