Smoky Roasted Chicken Tacos with Spicy Goat Cheese Queso.
This weekend I decided three things.
First, that five minutes is not enough time to determine if you like perfume. I’m usually really good about things like that and test a perfume three or four times before purchasing, but on a whim (and with an Ulta rewards/free perfume coupon that I felt forced to use) I picked up a Taylor Swift perfume (am I even telling you this?) after a few spritzes and the aforementioned time limit. I figured this may be a good way to limit my gateway drug scent and be a surefire win to make that pricey bottle last, but when I sprayed the TS stuff on me yesterday, within 15 minutes I thought I was going to die.
I had to shower twice.
Really.
Second, I sort of want to get botox. Kinda. Maybe. Okay, not really. Mind you, I could never possibly do this since I can’t even give blood or set my eyes on a sewing kit without having an extreme anxiety attack and hyperventilating, but I’m thick in the midst of a 30-year old life crisis. Really, you may ask yourself? I would have never thought that when you purchased a Taylor Swift perfume.
Uh huh.
And third, that it’s really been a long time since I had tacos. When I say long time, I mean a few weeks. Maybe three? Because for awhile there I was eating them weekly. Or twice weekly.
As one should.
I just need to tell you that I am absolutely enthralled with this chicken. I’ve already made it twice since last week and the flavor? Boom. It’s so there. I used boneless, skinless thighs (because seriously, they are the best) and a combination of smoked paprika and cumin and limes and salt and all sorts of delicious things. I roasted the heck out of them and then shredded the things and ugh… fabulous.
You don’t even need to make it for tacos! You can make it for… other stuff.
I could continue to go on and on but obviously I need to tell you about this goat cheese too. It’s really just a little sauce made with jalapeños sautéed in a bit of butter and if possible, I would probably bathe in that. I know. I tend to find that expression utterly disgusting when it comes to food… but yeah. I can think of no other dramatic way to share my infatuation with you.
I found those two things – the chicken and cheese sauce – to be so flavorful that I kept the toppings pretty simple with some avocado, red onion, tomatoes and extra crumbled goat cheese. Because no matter what you tell me, there can never be enough cheese in the universe.
My cheese drawer could feed a small country and is sinfully stuffed to the brim. It’s horrific but wonderful at the same time because there is always ample ideas for cheese plates. Which I also consume… weekly.
Again, as one should.
Smokey Roasted Chicken Tacos with Spicy Goat Cheese Queso
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 sweet onion, sliced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 limes, sliced into wedges
- corn or flour tortillas for serving
- chopped tomatoes
- sliced avocado
- sliced red onion
- extra goat cheese for topping
- lime wedges
spicy goat cheese queso
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 jalapeño pepper, diced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1/2 cup milk
- 6 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Spray a baking dish with nonstick spray. In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, paprika, chili powder, cumin and garlic powder, mixing to combine.
- Pat chicken thighs dry with a paper towel, then cover in the spice rub. Place the sliced onion all over the bottom of the baking dish and set the chicken over top. Place lime wedges in between the chicken. Cover with foil and bake for 45-60 minutes. Remove chicken and let cool slightly, then shred.
- A few minutes before the chicken is shredded, make the goat cheese queso below. To assemble tacos, warm the tortillas then cover in chicken, queso, tomatoes, onions, avocado and extra crumbled goat cheese
spicy goat cheese queso
- Heat a small saucepan over medium heat and add butter, jalapeño and garlic. Let cook for 1-2 minutes, until sizzling, then whisk in flour to create a roux. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until golden and bubbly. Pour in milk, whisking well and reduce heat to low. Once slightly thickened, add in the goat cheese and stir well until it totally melts. Taste and season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve immediately over tacos!
Did you make this recipe?
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You now know pretty much everything about me on this Monday.
118 Comments on “Smoky Roasted Chicken Tacos with Spicy Goat Cheese Queso.”
Oh my! This looks and sounds amazing. Cant wait to try it tonight
Did you say spicy goat cheese queso?! Can you return the perfume? Is that allowed?
omg i wonder the same thing… it was free, so is that me being a jerk? wah.
I would totally go ask them if you can exchange it but I return everything. I’ve returned cheese to whole foods before. I mean, all they can say is no, right? bring cookies :)
DO IT. tell them you had a reaction. (which you totally did…)
I’m pretty sure Ulta will take it back no questions asked as long as you have the receipt. Last time the girl told me I had a week to try new products and if for some reason I didn’t like it I could return it. Hope that helps!! Love, love, love your blog!! :)
Goat cheese queso?! Eeeeeee! I can put it on ALL the stuff.
Your perfume story reminds me of my perfume story……… My mom got me Aqua Di Gio for Christmas. Prior to this I tried it on a few times at ulta. It has to pass my headache/sneeze test. It did. A few times. I put it on the other day and by the time I got to work I had a massive headache, was sneezing and could feel an asthma attack coming on. So I wiped it off with an alcohol wipe ( I work in a lab, plenty of those hanging around) and pouted.
Oh my gosh! I love it! It looks amazing and the pictures have me drooling! I’m coming to your house for tacos, I’ll bring the margaritas! Forget the margaritas, I’ve seen yours, you need to bring everything! :)
LOL this story made me laugh! I’ve done the same thing with perfume, only it was a Britney scent that makes be feel sick to my stomach now. I should probably just throw out the bottle because it was purchased more than 7 years ago and I know I’ll never wear it again! (If that 30 year old midlife crisis you’re going through ever involves a craving for Britney perfume, I’m your girl). These tacos look amazing! Love the chicken, and I’m on a ginormous avocado kick right now. Might be making these for dins tonight!
I completely understand the mid-life crisis! I turn 30 in 27 days and it’s freaking me out!
PS – i just tried your arugula pesto on Saturday – you’re a genius! Thanks for sharing your life with us!
I am making this chicken. Like TODAY. Except with chicken legs I think? Because it’s what I have in the freezer.
Is it too early for tacos?
As a fellow Pittsburgh-er, I have to ask: are you missing chica loca as much as we are? Are they coming back? I’ve pretty much accepted that the answer is no. I guess these are a start at a replacement… But more work. ;)
oh my gosh… yes. crushed. we were there the day before they closed and they said they were taking a “vaca” for the month of january but yes, we were also suspicious. it is now march and nothing. :(
We’d been worried about them for a while, as we got take out from there every Saturday night, and they were literally never remotely busy. Also, that space just seems doomed- so many restaurants through it and none survive. I wish it had been closer to Pitt, as I feel like college students would have loved it. Have you tried noodlehead yet? So yummy! You should consider doing a monthly- it even quarterly- restaurant round up for locals! Or even covering places you went to during travel. That would be fun.
Seriously, your posts and humor make my days that much better :D Sorry about the perfume though – eek. But delicious chicken taco recipe!
HAPPY MONDAY!
What a stunning recipe – love everything about it!!
I learned a trick when picking out a new perfume scent. Spray some on your wrist and let it dry. Wait 15 minutes. THEN. (This is really gross, but it seems to have worked in almost every perfume purchase I’ve made) Lick your wrist. If you have a soapy taste in your mouth, you should purchase it–it works well with your body’s chemistry. If you have a bitter taste in your mouth, you should steer clear of it! Anyways–some useless Monday trivia for ya!!!
Do you think you could make the chicken in a slow cooker? Most days I do t get home till after 7 and that really limits my after work cooking. Thanks!!
yes i think it would work perfectly!
Two showers?! That must be pretty bad. Yikes.
And these tacos are definitely being made this week. The idea of that goat cheese sauce is already making me drool. God, I love goat cheese. I’m guessing I could do this with drumsticks too, but the cook time might be different!
so… I used to run a med spa where we offered botox. I never got it, and I totally could have, any time. one of the nurses there did get botox once, and the doc accidentally hit a nerve. she felt this crazy shock like feeling, then had a massive headache for DAYS. there. maybe you got that out of your system? ;)
I want a bowl of spicy goat cheese queso. and a spoon.
Ugh, I have had the same thing happen to me with perfume! Ebay perhaps?
Chicken looks incredible. and goat cheese in the sauce?! Stop it. Can’t wait to dump it on pretty much everything.
Love that casserole dish! Oh, the recipe looks good too. ;)
Hilarious. I completely relate to your second point. With 32 staring me in the face and a wedding coming up, I have seriously considered botox on many occasion. And then I remember that I still run from the doctor (literally) when its time for a flu shot, so I think its safe to assume I’m not the ideal candidate for botox.
Tacooooooooos. Weekly. Bi-weekly. Tri-weekly. I’m in.
Ohhhhh myyyy gosssshhhh my daughter got that perfume for Christmas… I have to smell it every flipping day!!! Maybe one day it will be “lost”… in the meantime I’ll make these tacos and plan its demise!
your perfume story made me laugh and that is why I buy the cheap body spray from bath and body works!
Oh my dear God.
i love your passion!
I have a similar cheese drawer, rivaled only by my chocolate drawer. Oomph.
Great flavour!
You had me at smoky.
Can you make me a spicy goat cheese queso perfume?
These look smokin’ hot!
Well, that looks like breakfast to me. Because, you know, I can’t wait til lunch to shove all this in my face.
That queso sounds RIDIC.
If I knew of a restaurant that made these I would have them every night!! =)
Ooh I wonder how that spicy goat cheese sauce would work on nachos- I may just have to test it out! Being 30 is a lot easier when you keep getting hit on by 22 year olds. I recommend it!
Ok….so I saw this and I my first thought was…”Did Jess seriously make Greek Salad Tacos?!”
But then again…I don’t think avocados exist in my motherland. :)
xo
I would die over these tacos. For real, I think you developed the most perfect taco. I will put goat cheese on nearly anything so these make me so very happy.
These sound delicious, and I want to make them ASAP. They’d go well with my jalapeno blood orange ‘ritas too.
http://thejunkdrunk.wordpress.com/2013/02/26/cocktail-party-blood-orange-jalapeno-margarita/
I’ve been reading your blog for a while but don’t think I’ve ever commented. First of all, I love your beauty product round-ups! Also, the part about Botox in this post made me laugh because I’ve secretly wanted to get Botox since October when I first noticed that every time I go outside my eyes scrunch up from the sun and give me a deep vertical line between my eyes that now seems to always kind of be there. And then I think WTF I’m 27! I shouldn’t be having these thoughts… Lol so it made me feel better to know you’ve considered it too. Now maybe if I had some disposable income…
These look so amazing! Love the idea of a goat cheese queso…wow! :)
Swoon! I love tacos and these look nothing short of fabulous! Must make them soon.
That sauce looks amazing and I am with you on perfume. There are certain ones I need at least two showers to get rid of the effects!
That cheese sauce looks so yummy. I love the idea of the added jalepenos. What a great idea!
Think that chicken could be made in the crock pot? I’m normally all about oven cooked chicken, but I want this for tomorrow, and don’t quiiiiite have 60 minutes for cooking time!
yes i do!
Goat cheese queso? Sounds amazing
dear jessica sweet pea!
i can remember feeling old at 30! what a waste to go there even in your mind for an instant! today i am 75 and don’t feel old -much!=) at least not as old as i did @30! and i am finally loving my face with wrinkles and all – i’ve learned to just laugh and everything (well, on a face anyway) goes up instead of down!! and i love the CHARACTER i see where there used to be loose skin and wrinkles. (Boots #7 serum is helpful too! ;)
so happy days ahead for you! !!
You are a delight!! and so is your imagination for food.
i love this. THANK YOU!
Ugh. Why do you keep doing this to me? I.want.these.now. I can never have enough goat cheese. Never.
Ok, totally making that chicken this week. YUM. And, this is totally random, but is the baker you have the chicken in from Crate & Barrel? If so, I have the same set. :) Love them. Thanks for the recipe!
yes!
So I’m umm going on vacation next week and I think I’m going to propose that we eat this meal every night. I love me some goat cheese.
I love goat cheese! i made chicken tacos last week…. yours look way better, though!
Mmmm yum, these look so delicious!
“A cheese drawer filled to the brim makes everyone happy” -Wise Old Saying
…
Ok, i made that quote up, but NEVER feel any shame about an overabundance of cheese. That itself would be a sin! These tacos looks ridonkulous.
I made this today for dinner. my 6 year old normally takes about an hour to eat dinner, not tonight, it was cut in half. Don’t know what this says about my cooking but yours is awesome. Thanks foot the recipe.
Oh I can’t wait to make these. My brother is coming home for my birthday in less than 2 weeks and I needed a stellar recipe! The only problem is that we’re going out for tacos the next night. That being said, I’m going to use this goat cheese sauce on the chicken and pair it with some veggies on the side.
Thanks for the inspiration!