Chipotle-Infused Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema and Pickled Onions
Tender chipotle-marinated chicken served in warm corn tortillas with creamy avocado crema, pickled red onions, and fresh cilantro. This mexican-inspired chicken (low carb) ready in about 35 minutes turns (sliced) chicken breast, (mashed) chipotle peppers in adobo, corn tortillas into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 8, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. 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
- 1.5 lbs (sliced) chicken breast
- 2 (mashed) chipotle peppers in adobo
- 8 corn tortillas
- 2 (ripe) avocados
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 (sliced) red onion
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup (chopped) cilantro
- 1 (juiced) lime
- 0.5 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, mix sliced chicken with 2 mashed chipotle peppers, 0.25 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp lime juice. Let marinate for 15 minutes. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, cooking chicken for 6-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, prepare crema: mash avocados with sour cream, 1 tbsp lime juice, 0.25 tsp salt, and 1/4 cup cilantro. Set aside. For pickled onions: simmer sliced red onion in 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp olive oil, and 0.25 tsp salt for 10 minutes.
- Step 3: Warm tortillas in a dry skillet. Assemble tacos by placing chicken, pickled onions, and a spoonful of crema in each tortilla. Garnish with additional cilantro and a drizzle of lime juice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chipotle-Infused Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema and Pickled Onions take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (25 min prep + 10 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 Chipotle-Infused Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema and Pickled Onions?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chipotle-Infused Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema and Pickled Onions?
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 Chipotle-Infused Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema and Pickled Onions for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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.
Is Chipotle-Infused Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema and Pickled Onions low carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
