Spice-Rubbed Chicken & Veggie Soft Tacos

My husband and I love Mexican food. It's bordering on an obsession, really. I almost never make it at home, though, and I'm seeking to rectify that. Tonight's meal wasn't exactly authentic, I'm sure, but it was extremely tasty and healthy. And easy. Are you starting to see a theme in my cooking??

The key to success in this recipe is the spice rub. It absolutely makes the dish. It gives this great, complex spiciness to the chicken and red pepper that is difficult to identify unless you know what's in it. When you put the chicken on the hot grill, the spice rub forms a magnificent sort of skin around the chicken.

As for the slaw, I used broccoli slaw mix, and it was tasty but a bit strange. You might want to stick with a more traditional cabbage slaw, unless you're feeling adventurous.

Spice-Rubbed Chicken & Veggie Soft Tacos
adapted from Bon Appetit's Fast Easy Fresh Cookbook
serves 2

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon golden brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic salt
1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
cooking spray
1 large boneless skinless chicken breast, pounded to 1/2 inch thick
2 cups coleslaw (or broccoli slaw) mix
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
juice of one lime
1 tablespoon canola oil
4 warm corn tortillas

1. Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. While it's heating, combine the first four ingredients in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the chicken and rub into it with your fingertips, both sides.

2. Spray a small amount of cooking spray on the strips of red pepper. Rub the spice rub into the pepper strips. When the grill is preheated, spray with cooking spray. Cook the chicken breast and pepper strips, turning once or twice, until peppers are tender and chicken is cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Slice the chicken into strips.

3. While chicken and veggies are cooking, combine slaw mix, cilantro, lime juice, and canola oil in a large bowl. Toss.

4. Assemble the tacos: distribute chicken and pepper strips among the four tortillas, and top with slaw. Serve.

It's nothing fancy, but it tastes amazing and you won't need to be rolled home afterward. Enjoy!