Garcia's Spiced Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema
Juicy shredded chicken tacos with a vibrant citrus-avocado sauce, inspired by Mexican culinary traditions. This mexican-inspired quick meals ready in about 50 minutes pairs boneless chicken thighs, chicken broth, diced white onion 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 1/2 pounds boneless chicken thighs
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup diced white onion
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 avocado
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 12 corn tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, combine 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken thighs, 1 cup chicken broth, 1/2 cup diced white onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, and 2 tablespoons lime juice. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 25 minutes until chicken is fork-tender.
- Step 2: Remove chicken and shred with two forks, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Return shredded chicken to pot and simmer for 5 more minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 3: While chicken cooks, mash 1 avocado with 1/4 cup sour cream and 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro until smooth. Warm 12 corn tortillas according to package instructions. Assemble tacos with shredded chicken, 2 tablespoons shredded cabbage, and 1 tablespoon avocado crema per taco.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Garcia's Spiced Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Garcia's Spiced Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema?
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 boneless chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Garcia's Spiced 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 Garcia's Spiced 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 Garcia's Spiced Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema?
Mexican quick meals 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
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
