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Cinco De Mayo Recipe

Cinco De Mayo Chicken Taco Fiesta Board

A colorful, crowd-pleasing Cinco de Mayo chicken taco board featuring citrus-chili marinated chicken, seasoned beans, quick street-corn–style topping, fresh garnishes, and an optional margarita pitcher. Perfect as a build-your-own taco bar for gatherings.
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Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
marinade_time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Main Course, Party Food
Cuisine Mexican-Inspired
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil, for marinade
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice about 2 limes, for marinade
  • 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice or pineapple juice, for marinade
  • 3 cloves garlic minced, for marinade
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder ancho chili powder if desired, for marinade
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin for marinade
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika for marinade
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano Mexican oregano if available, for marinade
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt for marinade
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper for marinade
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander optional, for marinade
  • 16 small corn tortillas or flour tortillas
  • 1 cup cooked rice white, brown, or cilantro-lime
  • 1 can black beans 15 ounces, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for beans
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin for beans
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder for beans
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt for beans
  • 2 cups corn kernels frozen, thawed, or fresh cut from the cob
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for corn topping
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder for corn topping
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika for corn topping
  • 1/2 teaspoon lime juice for corn topping
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt for corn topping
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce romaine or iceberg
  • 1 cup shredded cheese cheddar, Mexican blend, or queso Oaxaca
  • 1/2 cup queso fresco or cotija crumbled
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or Mexican crema
  • 1 large avocado diced or mashed for quick guacamole
  • 1/2 small red onion finely diced
  • 1-2 jalapeños thinly sliced; remove seeds for milder flavor
  • 1 cup pico de gallo or salsa store-bought or homemade
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • lime wedges for serving
  • 1 cup silver tequila for margarita pitcher (optional)
  • 1/2 cup fresh lime juice for margarita pitcher
  • 1/4 cup orange liqueur such as Cointreau or Triple Sec, for margarita pitcher
  • 2-4 tablespoons agave nectar or simple syrup to taste, for margarita pitcher
  • ice for serving margaritas
  • coarse salt for rimming glasses, optional

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl or zip-top bag, whisk together 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3 tablespoons lime juice, 2 tablespoons orange (or pineapple) juice, minced garlic, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander if using. Add the chicken thighs and toss to coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours.
    2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • In a small saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add drained and rinsed black beans, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon chili powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir and cook for 3–4 minutes until warmed and lightly seasoned. If they look dry, add a tablespoon of water. Keep warm on low or reheat just before serving.
    1 can black beans, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/4 teaspoon chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the corn and cook 4–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until some kernels are lightly charred and smell toasty. Turn off the heat and stir in 1/4 teaspoon chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon lime juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Taste and adjust seasoning.
    2 cups corn kernels, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon lime juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • While the chicken marinates or the corn cooks, prep the fresh toppings. Shred the lettuce and cheese. Finely dice the red onion and dice or mash the avocado. Thinly slice the jalapeños, removing seeds if you prefer it milder. Chop the cilantro and cut limes into wedges. Transfer all toppings, along with pico de gallo or salsa and sour cream or crema, into small bowls or onto a large board.
    1 cup shredded lettuce, 1 cup shredded cheese, 1/2 cup queso fresco or cotija, 1/2 cup sour cream or Mexican crema, 1 large avocado, 1/2 small red onion, 1-2 jalapeños, 1 cup pico de gallo or salsa, 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, lime wedges
  • Remove chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Grill, pan-sear, or bake: For grilling, preheat grill to medium-high, oil the grates, and cook 5–6 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. For stovetop, heat a large skillet over medium-high with a drizzle of oil and sear 5–6 minutes per side. For oven, preheat to 400°F (200°C), place chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake 18–22 minutes until cooked through. Let the chicken rest 5 minutes, then slice or chop into bite-sized pieces.
    2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • Wrap the tortillas in a clean, slightly damp kitchen towel and microwave for 30–45 seconds until warm and pliable, or warm them one at a time in a hot, dry skillet for 20–30 seconds per side. Keep warm in a tortilla warmer or wrapped in a towel.
    16 small corn tortillas
  • In a pitcher, combine 1 cup silver tequila, 1/2 cup fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup orange liqueur, and 2–4 tablespoons agave nectar or simple syrup to taste. Stir well and chill until serving. To serve, pour over ice in salt-rimmed glasses if desired and garnish with lime wedges.
    1 cup silver tequila, 1/2 cup fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup orange liqueur, 2-4 tablespoons agave nectar or simple syrup, ice, coarse salt
  • On a large board or platter, arrange the sliced chicken in the center. Place bowls of beans, rice, and corn around it. Add piles or bowls of lettuce, shredded cheese, crumbled queso, avocado, red onion, jalapeños, cilantro, sour cream or crema, and pico de gallo or salsa. Tuck lime wedges around the board. Serve warm tortillas in a basket or at the edge of the board. Invite everyone to build their own tacos.
    2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 1 cup cooked rice, 1 can black beans, 2 cups corn kernels, 1 cup shredded lettuce, 1 cup shredded cheese, 1/2 cup queso fresco or cotija, 1/2 cup sour cream or Mexican crema, 1 large avocado, 1/2 small red onion, 1-2 jalapeños, 1 cup pico de gallo or salsa, 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, lime wedges, 16 small corn tortillas

Notes

Storage: Store cooked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days; beans, rice, and corn for up to 4 days. Avocado is best the same day; lettuce and herbs last 1–2 days if dry and covered. Reheat chicken, beans, and corn in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth, or in the microwave in short intervals. Warm leftover tortillas briefly in a hot skillet. Cooked chicken can be frozen up to 2–3 months and thawed overnight in the fridge; do not freeze fresh toppings. Make-ahead: Marinate chicken up to 8 hours in advance; chop onions, shred cheese, and prep lettuce the night before; cook beans and rice earlier in the day and reheat before serving.
Keyword Build-Your-Own Tacos, Chicken Tacos, Cinco de Mayo, Fiesta, Mexican Party Recipes, Party Platter, Taco Board
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