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Flavorful Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Tacos

garlic butter honey bbq tacos - featured image

These tacos combine sweet honey and savory garlic butter with smoky BBQ sauce for a quick, easy, and delicious weeknight dinner. Ready in under 30 minutes, they offer a perfect balance of flavors and are great for casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 4 tablespoons (57 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons (60 ml) honey
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) BBQ sauce (smoky and slightly tangy preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
  • 68 soft taco shells (flour or corn tortillas)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (a handful, optional)
  • Lime wedges, for serving
  • Optional toppings: diced red onion, sliced avocado, shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream

Instructions

  1. Pat 1 lb (450 g) of boneless, skinless chicken dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper on both sides.
  2. In a small mixing bowl, combine 4 tablespoons (57 g) softened unsalted butter, 4 cloves minced garlic, and 3 tablespoons (60 ml) honey. Mix until smooth and well combined.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil in a non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook about 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 75°C). Avoid moving the chicken too much to get a good sear.
  4. Lower heat to medium. Spread the garlic butter honey mixture evenly over the chicken in the pan. Pour 1/2 cup (120 ml) BBQ sauce over the chicken. Let simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, spooning sauce over the top to create a sticky glaze.
  5. Warm 6-8 soft taco shells in a dry pan or microwave wrapped in a damp towel for 20-30 seconds. Slice the glazed chicken thinly and fill each shell. Garnish with chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice. Add optional toppings as desired.

Notes

If the glaze thickens or burns, add a splash of water or more BBQ sauce to loosen it. Let chicken rest 5 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy. For gluten-free, use corn tortillas. For dairy-free, substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan butter and check BBQ sauce ingredients. Warm tortillas wrapped in a damp towel to keep soft.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter tacos, honey BBQ tacos, easy weeknight dinner, chicken tacos, quick tacos, BBQ chicken recipe, flavorful tacos