Flavorful Freedom: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Chicken Tacos You’ll Love
An introduction + This new recipe combines vibrant flavors and healthy ingredients for a guilt-free Taco Tuesday Treat! Enjoy ...
🥁 Drum roll, please… 💖
Gluten-free, Dairy-free Chicken Tacos
I’m excited about today’s new gluten-free, dairy-free chicken tacos recipe! It’s the first of what I hope will launch many more recipes to share with you for delicious meals from my daughter Heather, who also has celiac disease.
Kids in The Kitchen
Growing up, my kids became very familiar with the kitchen at a young age. Admittedly, their willingness to cook and bake for themselves probably came from not wanting to starve to death because I was busy designing, writing, and creating other things. Still, nonetheless, they maneuvered tasks skillfully, knowing I was only down the hallway in my office.
Of course, I was always there for their questions, occasional mishaps, and interruptions when they needed me—even to the point of being criticized by an occasional employee who didn’t understand what it was like to be a mom. Funny, those people never stayed at their jobs very long. Now, all a fading memory, letting bygones be bygones; I’m happy for those times and feel so blessed to have worked from home where I could first be a mom.
Overall, those kitchen events set the stage for my kids' independence and ability to fend for themselves. In fact, besides being a lot like me in so many other ways, both of my kids have an entrepreneurial spirit, which has also transferred into lifelong skills in the kitchen and beyond.
Can you tell I’m a proud mom?
Without further ado, please welcome my daughter Heather, and her first shared original recipe, which I might add is phenomenal!
So, get set for upping your Taco Tuesday with this delicious gluten-free, dairy-free Chicken Tacos recipe and contributing article from my talented daughter.
A gluten-free, Dairy-free Chicken Taco recipe…
That’s so good you can’t resist going back for seconds!
by
I’ve been trying to lose weight lately, which has led me to try to come up with creative ways to create savory meals that are still on track with my diet AND my food allergies. Like my mom, I have celiac disease, which, of course, means I can’t have anything to do with gluten. And this fun autoimmune disease has also led me to have issues with other foods.
Among these is living in Wisconsin, the land of cheese, and being lactose intolerant, which is hard, so I also prefer dairy-free meals. Additionally, I was born with a citrus allergy, so planning meals can be tricky sometimes. Top that off with a significant other who is also dieting and doesn’t like the taste of most of the foods I eat, and I’m left with a real challenge. Time to get creative!
The first step is to shop for whole foods and avoid processed foods as much as possible – think outer-store shopping and less inner-store shopping. The only inner-store shopping I typically do is for oils and spices (and if I want to check out the gluten-free section to see if there’s anything new I want to try). If you’re my age, that also means bringing your cheaters to read the labels of any processed foods I’d like to have in my pantry.
So, what led me to create this recipe?
I deeply love authentic Mexican food, which is fabulous because most ingredients are whole foods. After all, you can get away with eating many kinds of foods if they’re served on a corn tortilla—we’re not talking drive-through Mexican here. The second reason is that I’m a huge fan of caramelized onions!
But maybe the biggest reason I’ve created these chicken tacos is that, in addition to diet and exercise, I’m a busy person. I have a full-time job, run a non-profit rescue, and have a family of five with three kids who are always going in different directions.
Enter the chicken taco…
By the way, I have some cheats for this recipe (keep reading), just in case I’m feeling swamped and want to simplify it.
How to get this recipe:
You can access the Gluten-free Dairy Free Chicken Tacos digital recipe card on GfreeDeliciously.com. Once there, you can easily adjust the servings, add ingredients to your grocery list, read about the equipment and resource recommendations we’ve used to make it, and quickly print, pin, or favorite it!
Keep scrolling 👇 for a quick summary of the recipe below. 👩🍳
As an added benefit to paid subscribers, you can download a 3-ring-binder-ready printable recipe PDF. Find it at the end of this post to print or save for building a cookbook of all your favorites!
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Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:
Two large chicken breasts (If you’re short on time, you can use canned chicken in water)
One large yellow onion
Little sweet peppers (I like the ones that are red, orange, and yellow and come in a bag from the grocery store.)
One to two medium-sized fresh tomatoes (depending on how many tomatoes you want to use on your tacos)
Fresh cilantro
Your favorite gluten-free taco seasoning. But if you’re feeling ambitious, I’ve got a from-scratch recipe addition for that, too! (Please see the optional homemade taco seasoning ingredients with the instructions in the recipe.)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper
Spicy Chipotle Sauce (I LOVE the Terrapin Farms brand as the sauce taste isn’t overwhelming, you don’t need to use much, and most of the company’s sauces are gluten-free.)
Corn tortillas
About Making These Chicken Tacos
The longest part of this recipe is caramelizing the onions and peppers, but it’s SO worth the time! You’ll start by slicing the peppers and onions into about 1/8” thick slices. For the peppers, remove the tops and the seeds. I have a little slicer guide gadget in my kitchen that I love to use for cutting onions, as it makes the slicing go faster… and I cry a little less while cutting.
Once the onions and peppers are sliced, add them to a frying pan and add 1 ½ tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. You’ll want to cook these low and slow, turning often to ensure they don’t burn and have a chance to caramelize. This part usually takes 45-50 minutes from the first slice to the finished meal.
While cooking the onions and peppers, add your two chicken breasts to another frying pan. I’ve been cooking my chicken in water, and they turn out fabulously. Cook the chicken on medium heat for approximately 10 minutes, flipping each breast about three times for even cooking – make sure to check the center of the chicken by slicing down the middle to ensure the chicken is fully cooked, and then remove it from the heat. Drain the water in the frying pan and grab your shredders! There are so many handy gadgets for shredding chicken, but you can use two forks if you don’t have claw shredders or a rotary shredder.
Once the chicken is shredded, add the taco seasoning and water as the package directs. Cook until the mixture thickens, and turn the burner to the lowest setting to keep the chicken warm until the onions and peppers are done. Don’t forget to keep turning the onions and peppers.
Finally, it’s time to dice your fresh tomatoes and cilantro! I like cutting my tomatoes into ½” squares, as they spread more evenly as a topping. Once the tomatoes are diced and set aside, you can move on to the cilantro. Pull the cilantro leaves off the stems and cut the leaves. I like to use my herb shears for this, as the process goes much faster, but you can quickly achieve the same task with a sharp kitchen knife. Set it aside, and get ready for the yummiest meal! It's time to build your taco!
Place one corn tortilla on a plate and add your taco chicken. Top with your caramelized onions and peppers, diced tomatoes, cilantro, and a few swipes of your spicy chipotle sauce. Enjoy!
Picture the recipe step-by-step:
Would you prefer to recreate this gluten-free, dairy-free chicken tacos recipe visually, step-by-step? The easy-to-follow photos are on the main website.
From caramelizing the onions and peppers to assembling the taco with the flavorful sauce, each step will ensure your tacos are lip-smackingly delicious!
Favorite Gadgets & Tools for making this recipe…
💭 Before you get started...
To wrap it up, making gluten-free, dairy-free chicken tacos is an easy and tasty option for meeting dietary needs without losing flavor. By using fresh, natural ingredients, you can whip up a healthy and super yummy dish, perfect for anyone with gluten and dairy sensitivities!
The secret to these tasty tacos is keeping the chicken breast moist as it cooks, then shredding it and seasoning it with lots of traditional Mexican flavor before layering on the carmelized peppers and onion. We keep it healthy and tasty with fresh tomato and cilantro. Then, load everything up on a gluten-free corn tortilla so everyone can dive in without a second thought. And if you want to mix things up, feel free to swap in some diced avocado or use cashew cream to give you that creamy goodness you'd usually get from dairy, all while staying within your dietary choices.
These tacos are super versatile, so you can customize them to fit your taste and use whatever fresh ingredients are in season. Whether you want to add a zesty salsa, some tangy slaw, or a filling of hearty beans, the options are wide open! You can make them your own and add your touch to this tasty Mexican classic.
Adding gluten-free, dairy-free chicken tacos to your Taco Tuesday rotation is a great way to satisfy your cravings and make cooking more inclusive. Sharing a meal that works for different dietary needs brings everyone together and makes your gatherings way more fun!
This recipe isn't just about whipping up some chicken tacos; it's more about a great way to enjoy tasty food while keeping it gluten-free, dairy-free, and healthy. So, grab your ingredients, let your creativity flow, and have fun making these delicious gluten-free, dairy-free chicken tacos that everyone can enjoy. Trust me, your hungry eaters and taste buds will be so happy!
Thanks for stopping by. Have a happy time making these tacos!
Gluten-free, Dairy Free Chicken Tacos
Gluten-Free + Dairy-Free, Healthy Choices, Keto-Friendly, Low-Carb, Low-Fat, Paleo, Pescatarian, Nut-Free, Picky Eaters, Soy-Free, Whole-Grain
Enjoy delicious Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Chicken Tacos! This easy recipe features flavorful spices, fresh ingredients, and a healthy twist on a classic favorite.
Ingredients
TACOS
▢ 2 large Chicken Breasts
▢ 1 large Yellow Onion skin and root removed
▢ 10-15 small Sweet Peppers, stems and seeds removed
▢ 2 medium Tomatoes
▢ 1 cup fresh Cilantro chopped
▢ 1 package gluten-free Taco Seasoning Or make it homemade (ingredients and recipe below).
▢ 1 ½ tbsp extra virgin Olive Oil
▢ Salt and pepper to taste
▢ 1 package of Corn Tortillas
▢ 1 tsp spicy Chipotle Sauce per taco [1]
HOMEMADE TACO SEASONING *Optional
▢ 2 tbsp tomato puree
▢ 1 ½ tbsp chili powder
▢ 1 ½ tbsp cumin
▢ 1 tsp coriander
▢ 1 ½ tsp paprika
▢ 2 tbsp Bragg’s Liquid Aminos [2]
▢ 1 tsp salt
▢ ½ cup water
Instructions
ONIONS & PEPPERS
Slice the peppers and onions into about 1/8” thick strips. Add 1 ½ tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and salt and pepper to a medium skillet to taste. Cook over medium-low heat, cooking low and slow while turning often to ensure they don’t burn and have a chance to caramelize.
CHICKEN
Meanwhile, add the two chicken breasts to another large skillet, adding enough water to cover them. Cook over medium heat for approximately 10 minutes, flipping each breast about three times for even cooking. When the chicken is fully cooked, its internal temperature should read 165°F on an instant-read thermometer. When done, remove it from the heat. Drain any remaining water from the pan and shred the chicken.
Once the chicken is shredded, add the taco seasoning and water as the package directs. Cook until the mixture thickens, and turn the burner to the lowest setting to keep the chicken warm until the onions and peppers are fully caramelized. Don’t forget to keep turning the onions and peppers.
HERBS & VEGGIES
Dice the tomatoes into ½” pieces, then set aside.
Pull the cilantro leaves off the stems and rough cut the leaves. Set aside until needed.
TORTILLAS
You can use the corn tortillas straight from the package or lightly brown them, warming each side for 30 to 60 seconds.
BUILD YOUR TACO!
Place one corn tortilla on a plate and add your taco chicken. Top with the caramelized onions and peppers, diced tomatoes, cilantro, and a few swipes of the spicy chipotle sauce. Enjoy!
*OPTIONAL - To make the seasoning.
Add all the seasoning ingredients into a small bowl and whisk until combined. Use in place of the dry taco seasoning in step three above.
Kitchen Notes:
Footnotes:
[1] Spicy Chipotle Sauce (I LOVE the Terrapin Farms brand, as the sauce taste isn’t overwhelming, you don’t need to use much, and most of the company’s sauces are gluten-free.)
[2] As an alternative to soy sauce, we use Bragg Liquid Aminos because it’s not fermented, meaning it contains no alcohol and is gluten-free. The company also makes it without artificial colorants or synthetic fillers.
Enjoy the Recipe! Scroll to the end for the downloadable PDF, which you can print and save to your recipe binder.
L♥VE this recipe? Have you tweaked it to be over-the-top delicious? Have a question? Please let everyone know in the comments below! 😉 It’s super helpful for other readers and me.
🌮✨ Craving tacos? Try these Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Chicken Tacos! Juicy chicken, fresh veggies, and a spicy chipotle sauce all loaded on a soft corn tortilla!🌶️ #GlutenFree #DairyFree #TacoTuesday #HealthyEats #CookingGfreeDeliciously @GfreeDelicious CLICK TO TWEET
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