Zesty Chicken Tacos with Avocado Lime Crema
Tender grilled chicken served in warm tortillas with a zesty avocado-lime crema, fresh cilantro, and crisp cabbage slaw. This mexican-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs chicken breast, tortillas, medium avocado for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 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 lb chicken breast
- 8 tortillas
- 1 medium avocado
- 1 lime
- 1/2 cucumber
- 1/4 red onion
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Season 1 lb chicken breast with salt and black pepper. Cook for 6-7 minutes per side until fully cooked and slightly charred. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
- Step 2: For the crema: mash 1 medium avocado in a bowl. Add 2 tbsp mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sour cream, juice of 1 lime, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Mix until smooth and set aside.
- Step 3: Toss 1/2 cup chopped cucumber, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro in a bowl. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Step 4: Warm 8 tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave. Assemble tacos by placing 1/4 cup chicken, 2 tbsp crema, and 2 tbsp cabbage slaw in each tortilla. Garnish with additional cilantro and a squeeze of lime.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Zesty Chicken Tacos with Avocado Lime Crema take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 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 Zesty Chicken Tacos with Avocado Lime 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 breast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Zesty Chicken Tacos with Avocado Lime 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 Zesty Chicken Tacos with Avocado Lime 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 Zesty Chicken Tacos with Avocado Lime 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
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
