Easy Lemon Pepper Chicken Tacos with Slaw (So Refreshing!)

This recipe for Easy Chicken Tacos with Slaw is lightened up lemon pepper taco chicken, crunchy and tangy slaw flavored with cilantro, and topped with cotija cheese. You’ll love the refreshing and summery flavor of these Chicken Slaw Tacos!

Creating this Recipe for Chicken Tacos with Slaw

This week, Land O’Lakes challenged me to create a twist on an old favorite recipe. I think we all have our favorite go-to recipes we can whip up with our eyes closed. And, what family doesn’t consider tacos a go-to mealtime favorite?

I know we do, so I decided it was time to get creative in the kitchen and develop a new twist on the old standby tacos. Something light and fresh for the spring and summer months ahead, but also easy enough for lazy, hot summer days.

What I Love About this Chicken Slaw Tacos Recipe

Just like in last week’s challenge, I used chicken tenderloins as a part of the dish. I love how chicken tenderloins cook up so fast, are incredibly tender, and don’t take all day to thaw.

Chicken tacos sounded lighter and more refreshing option for this time of year than the standard Mexican-flavored ground beef.

The lemon pepper provides a fresh, bright flavor for the chicken and didn’t require me to prepare any marinades ahead of time.

Then, instead of the usual lettuce, tomato, cheese, and sour cream, I filled the taco shells with a crunchy cilantro-lime slaw and a few slices of avocado to go with the chicken.

These lemon pepper chicken tacos with cilantro-lime slaw are perfect for those nights when I don’t want to eat something that is too heavy on the stomach.I really loved this recipe!

What is in this Chicken Taco Recipe

Here’s what you’ll need to make this simple Chicken Slaw Taco Recipe:

For the Chicken

• Lemon Pepper Sauté Express® Sauté Starter*
• Chicken Tenderloins

*Note: The Lemon Pepper Sauté Express® Sauté Starter seems to have been discontinued at some point. In its place I recommend using the following substitution: 1 tablespoon butter, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, 1-2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning.

For the Crunchy Slaw

• Shredded Cabbage
• Carrots
• Red Bell Pepper
• Fresh Cilantro
• Purple Onion
• Fresh Lime Juice

Chicken Slaw Taco Assembly

• Crunchy Taco Shells
• Lemon Pepper Taco Chicken
• Crunchy Slaw
• Avocado Slices
• Cotija Cheese

Optional Accompaniments

• Lime Wedges
• Hot Sauce
• Avocado Cream
• Green Onions or Pickled Red Onion

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

How to Make these Easy Chicken Tacos with Slaw

Here’s a quick overview to prepare this chicken taco recipe:

First, you’re going to prepare the lemon pepper taco chicken: Melt the Saute Express Starter in a cast iron pan over medium heat. Then, cook the chicken tenders until cooked through and browned on either side.

When they’re done, set aside on a plate and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before cutting. When the chicken is done resting, shred chicken or slice it into bite-sized pieces.

Next, make the cabbage slaw: In a large bowl, combine the cabbage, carrot, red pepper, cilantro, onion, and lime juice. Stir the ingredients to coat them with the lime just. Transfer to the refrigerator and let chill for at least an hour.

To serve: divide the chicken between the taco shells, then top with the sliced avocado and the crunchy slaw. After that, sprinkle with cotija cheese. Then, serve immediately!

Note: Because the Lemon Pepper Sauté Express® Sauté Starter has been discontinued, I now recommend these updated instructions for cooking the chicken:

• Season both sides of the chicken with a combination of garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon pepper seasoning.
• Let it sit for about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt butter and olive oil together in a cast iron skillet. When hot, cook the chicken, browning on both sides.

Alternatively, you can mix together softened butter, olive oil, and the seasonings. Then, melt those ingredients in the skillet and cook the chicken in the seasoned butter mixture. Either way will work.

The above is simply a quick summary of this recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.

Tips for Making this Recipe

• Pat chicken dry with paper towels before cooking. this helps them develop a crust and brown nicely.
• Make sure you slice the red bell pepper and red onion in thin slices, about 1/8th of an inch thick.
• Use fresh lime juice instead of bottled lime juice. It tastes better. (Related: Tips for Juicing Limes)
• Refrigerating the coleslaw for at least an hour before serving allows the flavors to develop.

Ways to Serve these Chicken Tacos with Slaw

Serve these chicken tacos with your favorite store-bought crunchy taco shells, crisp up your favorite corn tortillas, or use your favorite flour tortillas

Another way of serving the lemon pepper taco chicken and crunchy slaw filling is to place both inside lettuce leaves, such as iceberg or butter lettuce, instead of a tortilla. This will increase vegetable intake, as well as keeping the recipe low-carb.

What to Serve With Chicken Slaw Tacos

Here are a few of our favorite side dishes to serve with this easy taco recipe:

• Pinto Beans, Black Beans, or a cold Black Bean Salad
• Chips and delicious Restaurant Style Salsa, our favorite Easy 5 Minute Guacamole, or fresh and fruity Mango Salsa with Grilled Corn
• Deconstructed Guacamole – a delicious salad with all the guacamole ingredients plus tomatoes and corn
• Spanish Rice or Roasted Poblano Cilantro Quinoa – if you need a carb side dish.

What Other Meat Can Be Used in this Slaw Taco Recipe

I love the lemon pepper chicken tenderloins in this recipe, but you can use leftover rotisserie chicken, chicken breasts, ground chicken or shredded chicken.

You could definitely substitute some fish and make fish tacos using the lemon pepper seasoning for another lean protein taco night option.

More Easy Recipes for Mexican Food

These Shredded Pork Tacos can be made using a slow cooker or an Instant Pot making them perfect for busy nights. Each person can customize their toppings as they see fit!

These Veggie Quesadillas are filled with spinach, onion, mushroom, and pepper jack cheese for a tasty vegetarian quesadilla recipe! Serve this quesadilla recipe with guacamole and salsa for dipping.

Crock Pot Mexican Chicken is the perfect shredded chicken recipe for your next Mexican recipe. Packed with flavor and super tender thanks to hours in the crock pot, this recipe is sure to please!

This Crispy Black Bean Tacos recipe features spiced black beans with a crunchy cilantro lime slaw, crumbled cheese, and creamy chipotle lime taco sauce.

Don’t see what you’re looking for here? You can always head over to check out the recipe index to look for more recipes.

Try this Easy Recipe for Chicken Tacos with Slaw!

Looking for a recipe for your next Taco Tuesday night? I hope you’ll give these Easy Chicken Tacos with Slaw a try! Were they a huge hit for dinner time? Leave a comment below and give these chicken tacos a review for others to see what you thought of this easy recipe.

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Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Land O’Lakes in 2013. It was recently updated from the archives. All opinions are my own.