Grilled Citrus-Marinated Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy grilled chicken marinated in bright citrus juices and spices, served in warm corn tortillas topped with a smooth avocado crema for a refreshing Cinco de Mayo taco. This mexican-inspired cinco de mayo ready in about 30 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, orange juice, lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 380 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Add 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs to the marinade, turning to coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to 4 hours.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove chicken from marinade and grill for 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and chicken is nicely charred.
  4. Step 4: While chicken cooks, prepare avocado crema by blending 1 large ripe avocado, 1/4 cup sour cream, 2 tbsp cilantro leaves, 1 tsp lime zest, and 2 tbsp water in a blender until smooth and creamy.
  5. Step 5: Warm 8 corn tortillas on the grill for about 30 seconds per side until soft and pliable.
  6. Step 6: Slice grilled chicken into strips and divide evenly among tortillas. Drizzle with avocado crema and 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 Grilled Citrus-Marinated 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 Grilled Citrus-Marinated 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 orange juice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Citrus-Marinated 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 Grilled Citrus-Marinated 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 Grilled Citrus-Marinated 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