Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Chicken Tacos
Tacos are one of those meals that I’ll always come back to when I’m feeling uninspired about what to cook. They’re fast and they’re fresh, and once you’ve thrown on some of your favorite toppings like crunchy veggies and maybe a little guacamole, they’re also colorful and packed with goodness.
These garlic butter honey BBQ chicken tacos are my latest creation, and what I love most about them is that they are so full of bold flavor and so quick to prep. A real winner of a weeknight dinner!
Why You’ll Love These Chicken Tacos
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Packed with flavor – The combo of garlic butter, honey, and BBQ sauce makes these chicken tacos totally irresistible.
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Ready in 20 minutes – Perfect for busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast.
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Totally customizable – Add your favorite toppings to make them exactly how you like (I’m partial to crunchy slaw and a drizzle of ranch, but I usually just use up whatever odds and ends I have in the fridge).
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Great for fussy eaters – Let everyone build their own tacos at the table! It’s one of my favorite ways to feed guests or picky kids—less stress, more happy plates.
Ingredients
- Vegetable oil: For sautéing the chicken—use any neutral oil you have on hand. Avocado oil works great too if you prefer it.
- Boneless skinless chicken breast (diced): Cut into small, even pieces so they cook quickly and stay juicy. You could also swap in chicken thighs if that’s more your thing.
- Salt: Seasoning is key—don’t skip it! You can adjust to taste depending on your BBQ sauce’s saltiness.
- Pepper: Adds a little kick and rounds out the flavor.
- Onion powder: A simple way to layer in that sweet-savory depth without needing to chop anything.
- Unsalted butter: This is where the magic happens—rich, buttery goodness that helps balance the sweetness and spice in the sauce.
- Garlic (minced): Fresh garlic is best here. It sizzles in the butter and makes the whole thing smell irresistible.
- Honey: Adds that signature sticky-sweet glaze and plays so well with the BBQ sauce.
- BBQ sauce: Use your favorite brand! Something smoky or with a little heat works beautifully.
- Apple cider vinegar: A splash of acidity brightens everything up and keeps the sauce from feeling too heavy.
- Fajita or street taco size tortillas: The perfect size for handheld tacos—warm them before filling to keep them soft and pliable.
How To Make Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Chicken Tacos: Step-by-Step Guide
I know that many readers prefer a printable recipe card to refer to at home, and if that sounds like you, you’ll find one at the bottom of this post! Here, I’m sharing the steps alongside some snaps from the process, for those who prefer a more visual guide…
- Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken, salt, pepper, and onion powder. Give it a good stir and cook until the chicken is golden and cooked through — we want some color here for max flavor.
- Once the chicken’s done, transfer it to a plate and set it aside. Lower the heat to medium-low and toss in the butter and garlic. Let it sizzle for about 30 seconds until fragrant, then stir in the honey, BBQ sauce, and apple cider vinegar.
- Pop the cooked chicken back into the skillet and stir to coat it in that glossy, sticky sauce. Keep it on low heat while you warm up your tortillas — just a few seconds in the microwave will do.
- Load up your tortillas with the saucy chicken and pile on your favorite toppings. Serve right away and enjoy every messy, flavorful bite!
Storage
Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days. I recommend storing the tortillas and toppings separately so everything stays fresh. When you’re ready to reheat, warm the chicken gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through, then assemble your tacos fresh. Perfect for easy lunches or dinner round two!
Recipe Notes
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Don’t want tortillas? No problem—this garlicky, saucy chicken is just as good piled over rice or crunchy tortilla chips for a quick burrito bowl or BBQ chicken nachos situation.
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Want some spice? Toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce when you’re making the sauce to dial up the heat.
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For a smoky twist, try using a chipotle BBQ sauce or smoked paprika in the seasoning.
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Toppings make the taco, so don’t be shy—think coleslaw, pickled red onions, shredded cheddar, chopped cilantro, jalapeño slices, or a drizzle of ranch or sour cream.
Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 lb of boneless skinless chicken breast diced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp garlic minced
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/2 cup bbq sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 8 tortillas fajita or street taco size
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken, salt, pepper, and onion powder. Give it a good stir and cook until the chicken is golden and cooked through — we want some color here for max flavor.
- Once the chicken’s done, transfer it to a plate and set it aside. Lower the heat to medium-low and toss in the butter and garlic. Let it sizzle for about 30 seconds until fragrant, then stir in the honey, BBQ sauce, and apple cider vinegar.
- Pop the cooked chicken back into the skillet and stir to coat it in that glossy, sticky sauce. Keep it on low heat while you warm up your tortillas — just a few seconds in the microwave will do.
- Load up your tortillas with the saucy chicken and pile on your favorite toppings. Serve right away and enjoy every messy, flavorful bite!
If you give these garlic butter honey BBQ chicken tacos a try, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a rating and a comment below—it helps more people find the recipe and lets me know what kind of dinners you want more of. Whether you’re making these for Taco Tuesday or just a weeknight craving, I hope they hit the spot!
