Uncover the secret to incredibly fast and flavorful BBQ Chicken Tacos with Coleslaw! This recipe brings together tender, saucy BBQ chicken, crisp, creamy coleslaw, and a burst of sweet corn, all nestled in warm tortillas for a satisfying meal that’s ready in a flash. Forget long cooking times; dinner can be on the table in minutes!

The Ultimate Quick & Easy BBQ Chicken Tacos with Coleslaw

There’s something undeniably comforting and exciting about BBQ chicken, and its versatility knows no bounds in the kitchen. From zesty BBQ Chicken Wraps to a hearty BBQ Chicken Sandwich, or even a refreshing BBQ Chicken Salad, it’s a beloved staple for countless reasons. Now, these incredibly simple and delicious BBQ Chicken Tacos with Coleslaw are poised to join the ranks of your most cherished family meals, offering a vibrant twist on a classic favorite.

You might recall a previous BBQ Chicken Taco recipe we shared, which featured a delightful Southwestern flair, complete with black beans, bell peppers, and a zesty cilantro-lime sauce. While that version offers a fantastic slow-cooked experience and rich, complex flavors, this particular recipe embraces a more classic, straightforward approach. It lets the vibrant, smoky-sweet flavors of BBQ chicken and the cool, crunchy texture of coleslaw truly shine. It’s an entirely different, yet equally captivating, taco experience that emphasizes speed and simplicity without sacrificing an ounce of flavor.

What makes these BBQ Chicken Tacos with Coleslaw truly stand out is their remarkable speed and ease of preparation. In a world where busy weeknights often lead to quick, but sometimes uninspired, meals, these tacos offer a perfect solution. They come together in mere minutes, leveraging pre-cooked ingredients and smart shortcuts, making them an ideal choice for a delicious, satisfying, and incredibly flavorful dinner that the entire family will absolutely adore. Get ready for a meal that’s bursting with fresh tastes, requires minimal effort, and is destined to become a regular in your weekly meal rotation.

Essential Ingredients for Your BBQ Chicken Tacos with Slaw

One of the many beauties of this recipe is its reliance on simple, readily available ingredients that, when combined, pack a huge flavor punch. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and some helpful tips for selecting the best components to ensure your tacos are a resounding success:

• Sweet Corn: Fresh sweet corn, cut straight off the cob, offers an unparalleled burst of natural sweetness and a delightful crunch. It’s a wonderful textural contrast to the tender BBQ chicken and the creamy slaw. If fresh corn isn’t in season or easily accessible, don’t fret! Thawed frozen corn kernels or well-drained canned corn makes for an excellent and equally delicious substitute. For the best flavor, look for varieties labeled “super sweet” when purchasing fresh corn.
• Coleslaw Mix: For ultimate convenience and to keep this meal truly “super-speedy,” a basic, pre-packaged coleslaw mix is your best friend. These typically contain a vibrant blend of shredded green cabbage, red cabbage, and carrots, providing a colorful and textural foundation for your slaw. This smart shortcut saves you valuable prep time, allowing you to whip up dinner even faster without compromising on quality or freshness.
• Coleslaw Dressing: The dressing is the magical ingredient that brings the entire coleslaw component to life, infusing it with creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet notes. While I have my favorite store-bought options like Litehouse® and Marie’s®, don’t hesitate to use any brand of coleslaw dressing that you love and trust. For those who enjoy a more personal touch and control over the flavor profile, crafting a homemade coleslaw dressing can elevate the dish even further, allowing you to fine-tune the sweetness and tang to your exact preference.
• Rotisserie Chicken: This is arguably the ultimate time-saver in this recipe! Pre-cooked rotisserie chicken is the secret weapon for making these tacos come together in record time. Many grocery stores offer rotisserie chickens already shredded or diced, adding an extra layer of convenience that can shave minutes off your prep. Opt for a plain or lightly seasoned rotisserie chicken to ensure your chosen BBQ sauce is the dominant flavor. If you happen to have leftover cooked chicken breasts or thighs, simply shred them, and they’ll work perfectly as a substitute.
• BBQ Sauce: The heart and soul of your BBQ chicken! This recipe is incredibly adaptable, so feel free to use your absolute favorite BBQ sauce. Whether you prefer a smoky, sweet, tangy, spicy, or even a mustard-based profile, any brand or style will do. My personal go-tos include Sweet Baby Ray’s® (the original flavor is a classic for a reason, offering a perfect balance) and Stubb’s Original® for their robust and authentic profiles. Don’t be shy about experimenting with different regional BBQ styles to find your perfect match!
• Corn Tortillas: The sturdy and flavorful foundation of our tacos. We’ll delve deeper into selecting and preparing these below, but choosing the right type and ensuring they are properly warmed and charred is crucial for a perfect, mess-free taco experience.

Mastering Your Tortillas: The Foundation of a Perfect Taco

The tortilla is far more than just a vessel; it’s an integral part of the overall taco experience, offering essential texture, warmth, and a subtle flavor that beautifully complements the fillings. For these BBQ Chicken Tacos with Coleslaw, I particularly adore the earthy taste and pliable texture of traditional corn tortillas. However, corn tortillas can sometimes be a bit finicky if not prepared correctly – they can break easily when folded and tend to dry out quickly. This is precisely where the transformative magic of charring comes in!

Charring your tortillas not only makes them significantly more flexible and less prone to tearing, but it also imparts an incredible depth of flavor and a wonderfully chewy texture that truly elevates your tacos. That subtle smoky flavor from the charring process adds another layer of complexity and authenticity that plain, unheated store-bought tortillas usually lack. The key to successful charring is to work with one tortilla at a time, keeping the remaining tortillas safely sealed in their bag to prevent them from drying out while you prepare each individual one. This ensures every taco you assemble is built on a perfectly warm and pliable foundation.

When selecting corn tortillas for this recipe, I highly recommend opting for thin corn tortillas. Their delicate structure provides a better balance with the generous and flavorful fillings, ensuring the tortilla doesn’t overpower the delicious contents. Brands like Mission® extra-thin corn tortillas are a fantastic choice, offering that ideal thinness and flexibility (this isn’t sponsored, just a genuine recommendation based on consistent quality and performance!).

How to Perfectly Char Tortillas: Multiple Methods for Success

Achieving perfectly charred, warm, and pliable tortillas is simpler than you might think, regardless of your kitchen setup. Here are a few reliable methods to ensure your taco shells are nothing short of perfection:

1. Direct Flame Charring (Gas Stove Method): This is my preferred method for achieving the best smoky flavor and fastest results.
   • Preparation: Lightly spray both sides of a corn tortilla with cooking spray (olive oil or canola oil works wonderfully here).
   • Charring: Using sturdy tongs, carefully place the tortilla directly over a medium-low gas flame on your stove.
   • Timing: Allow it to heat for about 10-15 seconds per side, or until you observe slight char marks appearing and the tortilla becomes soft and pliable. Be vigilant to avoid burning; a light char is what you’re aiming for.
   • Warmth & Fold: Immediately fold the tortilla in half (this helps it hold the taco shape later) and place it under a clean kitchen towel or in a tortilla warmer to keep it warm and soft while you char the remaining tortillas.
2. Skillet Method (No Gas Stove? No Problem!): A hot skillet can effectively mimic the direct flame effect, providing a delicious toasted flavor.
   • Preparation: Lightly spray both sides of a corn tortilla with cooking spray.
   • Heating: Heat a dry cast iron skillet or a good quality non-stick pan over medium-high heat until it’s hot. Place a tortilla directly in the hot skillet.
   • Timing: Heat for 15-30 seconds per side, pressing lightly with tongs, until small brown spots appear on the surface and the tortilla is thoroughly softened.
   • Warmth & Fold: As soon as it’s ready, fold it immediately and transfer it to a towel-lined basket or a warm plate covered with a towel to stay warm. Repeat this process with all remaining tortillas.
3. Oven Method (For Batches): If you’re preparing a larger batch of tacos, the oven can be an efficient way to warm multiple tortillas at once.
   • Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap a stack of tortillas (typically 5-6 at a time) tightly in aluminum foil.
   • Heating: Place the foil-wrapped tortillas directly on the oven rack.
   • Timing: Heat for 10-15 minutes, or until they are thoroughly warmed through and pliable.
   • Warmth & Fold: Remove from the oven, keep them wrapped until ready to serve. For a hint of “charred” flavor, you can quickly pass them over a gas flame or hot skillet for a few seconds after warming them in the oven.

Pro Tip for Corn Tortillas: If your corn tortillas still feel a bit stiff or prone to cracking after warming, lightly dampen a paper towel and wrap it around a small stack of tortillas before microwaving them for 15-20 seconds. This adds essential moisture and can significantly prevent breakage. Always keep warmed tortillas covered to maintain their softness and temperature.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Assemble Your Quick BBQ Chicken Tacos with Coleslaw

Putting these delightful and flavorful tacos together is an absolute breeze, ensuring a delicious meal is on your table in under 20 minutes! Follow these simple steps for a culinary experience that’s both effortless and incredibly satisfying.

Recipe Details

By: Chelsea Lords

Summary: These super-quick BBQ Chicken Tacos with Slaw are packed with flavor! Toss coleslaw in dressing, pile it in a charred tortilla, and top with BBQ chicken and sweet corn for a fast, tasty meal!

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes | Servings: 4

Equipment You’ll Need

• Small pot or skillet
• Medium mixing bowl
• Tongs
• Clean kitchen towel or tortilla warmer

Ingredients List

• 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (or more, to taste)
• 1 cup fresh sweet corn (cut from the cob, or thawed frozen/drained canned corn)
• 3 cups packaged coleslaw mix (Marketside Tri-Color Cole Slaw is a good option)
• 1/2 cup coleslaw dressing (Litehouse Coleslaw Dressing is recommended)
• 8 to 10 extra-thin corn tortillas (Mission Extra-Thin Yellow Corn Tortillas work well)
• Cooking spray (Olive Oil Cooking Spray or canola oil)
• Optional: Fresh cilantro, 1 ripe avocado (thinly sliced)

Detailed Instructions

1. Prepare the Coleslaw: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the packaged coleslaw mix and the coleslaw dressing. Gently toss everything together with tongs until the mix is evenly coated with the creamy dressing. Taste and adjust the dressing as needed – you can add more for a saucier slaw or a bit less for a crisper texture. Let the coleslaw stand for a few minutes while you prepare the other components, tossing once more just before you begin assembling the tacos. This brief resting period allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
2. Warm the BBQ Chicken: Place your shredded rotisserie chicken into a small pot or skillet. Pour in approximately 1/2 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce (feel free to add more or less to your preference). Gently stir the chicken and sauce together over low heat using tongs. Your primary goal here is to coat the chicken thoroughly and warm it through, not to cook it further, as it’s already pre-cooked. Prolonged or high-heat warming can unfortunately dry out the chicken and diminish its delicious flavor. If you’re starting with a hot rotisserie chicken, simply heat the BBQ sauce separately and then toss it with the already-warm chicken.
3. Char the Tortillas: This crucial step enhances both the flavor and flexibility of your tortillas! Lightly spray both sides of each corn tortilla with cooking spray. Using tongs, carefully char each tortilla directly over a medium-low gas flame for a few seconds per side, or alternatively, heat them in a dry skillet over medium-high heat until they are lightly browned, pliable, and softened. As soon as each tortilla is ready, immediately fold it in half (this helps them maintain a nice taco shape later) and place it under a clean kitchen towel. This will keep them warm and prevent them from drying out. Continue this process with all the remaining tortillas.
4. Assemble Your Tacos: It’s time to build your delicious masterpiece! Take your warmed and folded tortillas. Divide the saucy coleslaw evenly among them, filling the base of each tortilla. Next, generously top the coleslaw with portions of the warmed BBQ chicken. Finally, sprinkle the fresh sweet corn kernels evenly over the chicken. If desired, add thin slices of fresh avocado for a rich creaminess and a few sprigs of fresh cilantro for a bright, herbaceous finish. Serve your BBQ Chicken Tacos immediately and savor the incredible layers of flavor!

Nutritional Information (Approximate)