Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Crema

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Spiced chipotle shrimp grilled to perfection and served in warm corn tortillas topped with a cool avocado-lime crema. This mexican-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes turns large shrimp, peeled and deveined, chipotle chili powder, ground cumin 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: 10 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 tbsp chipotle chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp with 2 tbsp olive oil and the spice mixture until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and slightly charred, then remove from heat.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, in a blender, combine 1 whole ripe avocado, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 tbsp lime juice, and 2 tbsp chopped cilantro leaves; blend until smooth to make the avocado crema.
  4. Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on a dry skillet or grill for 30 seconds per side until pliable.
  5. Step 5: Assemble the tacos by spreading about 1 tbsp avocado crema on each tortilla, topping with grilled shrimp, 1/4 cup shredded red cabbage, and 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion. Finish with a squeeze of the remaining 1 tbsp lime juice over each taco before serving.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 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-Lime Shrimp 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 Shrimp 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 Shrimp 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 Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Crema?

Mexican seafood 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.

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