Chipotle-Lime Grilled Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Smoky chipotle-marinated grilled chicken served in warm corn tortillas topped with a smooth avocado-lime crema for a vibrant Cinco de Mayo taco. This mexican-inspired cinco de mayo ready in about 30 minutes turns boneless skinless chicken thighs, peppers chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, fresh lime juice 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 320 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a blender, combine 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Blend until smooth to create the marinade.
  2. Step 2: Place 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs in a shallow dish and pour the chipotle-lime marinade over them. Toss to coat evenly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably 3 hours.
  3. Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Grill the marinated chicken thighs for 5-6 minutes per side until charred at edges and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into thin strips.
  4. Step 4: While chicken rests, make the avocado crema by blending 1 ripe avocado, 1/3 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, 2 tablespoons water, and 1 tablespoon extra lime juice until smooth and creamy.
  5. Step 5: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds per side until pliable and slightly charred.
  6. Step 6: Assemble tacos by placing sliced chicken on each tortilla and drizzling with 1 to 2 tablespoons avocado crema per taco. Serve immediately with extra lime wedges if desired.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Chipotle-Lime Grilled Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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-Lime Grilled Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema?

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-Lime Grilled Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema?

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-Lime Grilled Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema 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 Chipotle-Lime Grilled Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema?

Mexican cinco de mayo 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.

Related recipes