Give ’em something to taco bout

Your family will have fun sharing these smoky paprika and macadamia chilli chicken tacos

Photo: Contributed

IF YOU are making these for kids, you can reduce the chilli flakes or use a mild chilli powder. These are great served with all the bits and pieces on a big platter in the middle of the table for everyone to make their own.

Serves / 4

FOR THE RUB:

1 tbsp smoked paprika 1–2 tsp chilli flakes

½ cup macadamias

2 tbsp macadamia oil

2 tbsp vegetable oil

¼ cup brown sugar

2–4 cloves garlic, crushed 1 tsp salt (or to taste) 600g chicken thigh pieces, with the skin on WARM SALSA:

1 tbsp oil

1 small brown onion, finely sliced

1 small red capsicum, finely sliced

1 tsp ground cumin

1 punnet baby tomatoes, halved

Salt and pepper to taste TO SERVE:

8 medium tortillas, heated 1 cup creme fraiche or sour cream

2 avocados, smashed into guacamole with lime juice and salt to taste

2 cobs corn, steamed, lightly chargrilled on barbecue, kernels removed

1 bunch coriander sprigs 2 cups chopped iceberg lettuce

4 half lime wedges For the rub, place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and process to make a paste. Place the chicken in a bowl and spread the paste under the skin of each thigh. Marinate for at least an hour, or up to 3 hours.

Preheat the barbecue or oven grill. Barbecue the chicken, turning for 10–15 minutes, or grill under a hot heat, turning for 10–15 minutes. Remove from heat and place in a bowl to cool slightly before cutting into bite size pieces.

For the warm salsa, place the oil in a frying pan over high heat. Add the onions and capsicum and cook, stirring occasionally for 2–3 minutes, reduce heat and cook a further 5 minutes until the mixture is soft and starting to caramelise. Add the cumin and tomatoes and continue to cook over a low heat for another 10 minutes, stirring, until the tomatoes are soft. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

To serve, place the warm tortilla on a plate, spoon over the creme fraiche and guacamole and top with chicken, salsa and a good smattering of the remaining ingredients.