Jerk Chicken Tacos with Mango Avocado Salad

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

You can find this recipe at El Restaurante

Recipe from Taco! Taco! Taco by Sara Haas (Hatherleigh Press; hatherleighpress.com)

Makes 4 servings (2 tacos each)


8 corn tortillas, warmed

Marinade for chicken (recipe follows)

Mango Avocado Salsa (recipe follows)


The marinade:

1 t. ground cinnamon

1 T. packed light brown sugar

¼ t. ground allspice

½ t. dried thyme leaves

2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed

2 scallions, white and green parts only, thinly sliced

1 2-in. knob of fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped

2 Scotch bonnet or habanero peppers, stems removed and roughly chopped

¼ c. canola oil

1 T. fresh lime juice

1 ¼ lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast


To a blender or bowl of a small food processor, add the cinnamon, brown sugar, allspice, thyme, garlic, scallions, ginger, peppers, oil and lime juice. Puree until smooth. Transfer the marinade to a gallon-size, sealable bag. Add the chicken, press out any excess air from the bag, then seal and turn to coat. Marinate for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.


The mango avocado salsa:

1 ripe mango, peeled and diced

1 ripe avocado, seeded and diced

¼ c. finely chopped red onion

¼ c. packed, fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped

1 t. lime zest

1 T. fresh lime juice


Combine the mango, avocado, onion, cilantro, lime zest, and lime juice in a bowl. Toss to combine. Season with salt, as needed. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat or set a grill pan over medium-high heat. If using a grill, clean the grill grates and brush them with oil. If using a grill pan, coat pan lightly with oil. Once hot, remove the chicken from the marinade and pat dry; discard marinade. Season with a little kosher salt. Grill the chicken, turning once, until internal temperature reaches 165℉, 10 to 14 minutes total. Remove from grill and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.

To prepare the tacos: Serve sliced chicken in warmed tortillas; top with mango avocado salsa.