Johnson's Spicy Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema
Tender chicken in a smoky chipotle sauce, wrapped in warm tortillas with a cooling avocado crema and fresh toppings. This mexican-inspired chicken ready in about 60 minutes pairs chicken thighs, chipotle peppers in adobo, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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
- 1.5 lbs chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 cup diced tomato
- 8 (6-inch) tortillas
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1/4 cup crema or sour cream
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté 3 minutes until softened. Stir in chipotle peppers, tomato, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer 10 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Step 2: Add chicken thighs to the skillet, baste with sauce, and cook 8-10 minutes per side until fully cooked (internal temperature 165°F/74°C). Let rest 5 minutes, then shred with a fork.
- Step 3: Whisk avocado, crema, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp lime juice, and 1/4 tsp salt until smooth. Warm tortillas in a dry skillet. Assemble tacos with chicken, sauce, avocado crema, and cilantro.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Johnson's Spicy Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (30 min prep + 30 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 Johnson's Spicy 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 chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Johnson's Spicy 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 Johnson's Spicy 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 Johnson's Spicy Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema?
Mexican chicken 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
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.
