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, 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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.
