Avocado Crema Chicken Tacos
Crispy chicken tacos topped with a creamy avocado crema, pickled onions, and fresh cilantro. This mexican-inspired chicken ready in about 45 minutes pairs (boneless, skinless) chicken breast, (juiced) lime, (chopped) cilantro for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (boneless, skinless) chicken breast
- 2 (ripe, diced into 1/4-inch cubes) avocados
- 1 (juiced) lime
- 1/4 cup (chopped) cilantro
- 1 (red, sliced thin) onions
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 8 (medium) tortillas
- 4 lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tbsp olive oil, then season 1 lb chicken breast with 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and slice into strips.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, mash 2 diced avocados with 1 lime juice, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, and 1/2 tsp salt until smooth. Set aside.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, toss 1 sliced red onion with 1 tbsp lime juice and 1/2 tsp salt. Let sit for 10 minutes until slightly softened and pickled.
- Step 4: Warm 8 tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave. Assemble tacos with chicken strips, pickled onions, and avocado crema. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Avocado Crema Chicken Tacos take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Avocado Crema Chicken Tacos?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (juiced) lime from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Avocado Crema Chicken Tacos?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Avocado Crema Chicken Tacos for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Avocado Crema Chicken Tacos?
Mexican chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better general dishes though.