Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Chicken Tacos Recipe

July 17, 2025Maria

Introduction To Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Chicken Tacos

When taco night needs a flavorful upgrade, these Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Chicken Tacos come in swinging with a bold, sweet-savory punch. Combining tender shredded chicken coated in rich garlic butter and finished with a sticky honey BBQ glaze, these tacos are juicy, smoky, sweet, and utterly satisfying.

Served in warm tortillas and topped with your favorite crisp, creamy, and tangy ingredients, they deliver a perfect blend of comfort and zing in every bite. Whether you’re cooking for the family, meal prepping for the week, or hosting a laid-back gathering, these tacos are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They’re easy to throw together, bursting with mouthwatering flavor, and fully customizable with whatever toppings you love.

Why Is This Recipe So Popular?

Garlic butter adds richness. Honey BBQ sauce adds sweetness, tang, and depth. Shredded chicken soaks it all up and turns incredibly flavorful. It’s a flavor combination that resonates with nearly everyone—familiar, comforting, and irresistible. These tacos are especially popular because they merge Southern barbecue style with the universal appeal of tacos. The result is a versatile dish that’s as welcome at a casual cookout as it is on a busy weeknight dinner table. The recipe is quick, easy, and requires only a handful of ingredients, many of which are pantry staples. It’s also a great way to use up leftover chicken and still wow your taste buds.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

✅ Flavor Explosion – Sweet honey, smoky BBQ, rich garlic butter, and juicy chicken
✅ Quick and Easy – Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights
✅ Family Favorite – Kid-friendly flavors that adults will crave too
✅ Customizable – Use any tortilla or topping combo to match your cravings
✅ Meal-Prep Friendly – Stores well and reheats beautifully
✅ Balanced and Satisfying – Sweet, savory, tangy, and creamy all in one taco

Ingredients:

These ingredients come together to form a powerhouse of BBQ taco flavor:

🍗 2 1/2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie or poached)
🧈 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
🧄 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
🧂 1 teaspoon onion powder
🌶️ 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
🧂 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
🧂 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
🍯 1/3 cup honey
🥫 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (smoky or sweet-style preferred)
🌮 8 taco shells or tortillas (flour, corn, or hard shells)
🧀 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
🥬 1 cup shredded lettuce (optional)
🍅 1/2 cup diced tomatoes or pico de gallo (optional)
🌿 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
🧅 1/4 cup diced red onion (optional)
🥑 1 sliced avocado or guacamole (optional topping)
🌶️ Hot sauce or jalapeños for heat (optional)
🍋 Lime wedges for squeezing (optional but recommended)

Preparation:

Step 1: Make the Garlic Butter Base 🧄🧈

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant and just golden. Don’t let it brown too much—just enough to awaken the garlic’s full flavor. This garlic butter will infuse your chicken with incredible depth.

Step 2: Add Chicken and Seasonings 🍗🌶️

Add the shredded chicken directly into the skillet with the garlic butter. Stir to coat thoroughly. Then sprinkle in onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix until the chicken is evenly seasoned and warmed through, about 2–3 minutes.

Step 3: Stir in BBQ Sauce and Honey 🍯🥫

Reduce heat to low and pour in the BBQ sauce and honey. Stir everything together until the chicken is fully coated and the mixture becomes glossy, sticky, and beautifully aromatic. Let it simmer for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, to thicken the glaze slightly and allow the flavors to meld. The sauce should cling to the chicken and develop a deep reddish-brown color.

Step 4: Warm the Taco Shells 🌮

While the chicken finishes cooking, heat your taco shells or tortillas. You can warm them in a skillet, in the oven, or wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 20–30 seconds. If you’re using flour tortillas, give them a quick toast in a hot, dry skillet for extra texture.

Step 5: Assemble the Tacos 🧀🥗

Spoon a generous amount of the honey BBQ chicken into each taco shell. Top with shredded cheese so it melts slightly against the hot filling. Add lettuce, tomatoes, onion, avocado, cilantro, or whatever toppings you love. Finish with a squeeze of lime juice and a drizzle of hot sauce if desired.

Variation:

Try one of these tasty twists to keep things fresh:

Creamy Slaw Tacos – Top with a creamy coleslaw instead of lettuce for added crunch
Spicy Version – Add a teaspoon of chipotle in adobo or cayenne to the sauce for heat
Buffalo BBQ Style – Swap half the BBQ sauce with Buffalo wing sauce for a tangy punch
BBQ Chicken Taco Bowls – Serve over rice with corn, black beans, and all the toppings
Cheesy Baked Tacos – Assemble tacos in a baking dish, top with cheese, and bake until bubbly

COOKING Note:

These tacos are simple, but a few tips will elevate your final result:

Use good-quality BBQ sauce—smoky or honey-style is best for balance
Rotisserie chicken saves time and adds flavor
Toasting the tortillas enhances their texture and prevents sogginess
Simmer the sauce just until thick—it should coat the chicken, not be soupy
Garlic should be sautéed gently, not browned—burnt garlic can turn bitter

Serving Suggestions:

Serve your garlic butter honey BBQ chicken tacos with:

🍚 Cilantro lime rice or seasoned Spanish rice
🌽 Grilled corn or Mexican street corn (elote)
🥑 Fresh guacamole and chips
🥗 Avocado tomato salad or black bean salad
🍹 Refreshing margaritas, limeade, or agua fresca
🧄 Garlic crema or sour cream with lime zest

Tips:

Meal prep the chicken filling up to 3 days in advance—it reheats beautifully
Make them mini by using street taco tortillas for parties
If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water or chicken broth
For crunch, layer crushed tortilla chips or crispy fried onions
Turn leftovers into quesadillas, burritos, or loaded nachos

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Nutritional Information (Per Taco, Approximate):

Calories: 280
Protein: 20g
Fat: 14g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Sugar: 9g
Sodium: 480mg
Fiber: 2g

FAQs:

Can I use chicken breast or thighs?

Absolutely! Any cooked chicken works—just shred or chop before adding to the skillet.

Is this recipe spicy?

The base is sweet and smoky. Add jalapeños or hot sauce to turn up the heat if you like spice.

Can I make this with BBQ pulled chicken?

Yes, this recipe is perfect for using up leftover pulled chicken—just toss it in the garlic butter BBQ glaze.

What’s the best BBQ sauce for this?

Choose a thick, sweet sauce like hickory, honey BBQ, or brown sugar BBQ for the best results.

Can I freeze the filling?

Yes! Let it cool completely, store in an airtight container, and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in a skillet.

Conclusion:

Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Chicken Tacos are the ultimate combination of rich, sticky, sweet, and savory. From the buttery garlic-infused base to the smoky BBQ glaze that hugs every piece of chicken, these tacos are anything but ordinary. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, prepping meals for the week, or looking for a quick weeknight crowd-pleaser, these tacos deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort. They’re endlessly customizable, ridiculously satisfying, and sure to become a go-to favorite in your kitchen. So fire up your skillet, grab your tortillas, and get ready to wow your taste buds with these irresistible honey BBQ chicken tacos.