Grilled Spicy Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema

There’s always room for a spicy taco recipe in your arsenal. We make different kinds of tacos every Taco Tuesday, and the go-to protein for our family is chicken. Sometimes, we smoke a whole chicken on the weekend just to use the shredded meat throughout the week, and sometimes, we use grilled chicken breasts and want a fun, spicy kick to give those chicken breasts extra flavor.

Chicken breasts are perfect for when you don’t have time to roast a whole chicken. They’re easy and quick to marinade and they grill up in just a few minutes if you follow our preparation tip. For a milder version try our Verde Chicken Tacos.

Ingredients for Spicy Chicken Tacos

To best achieve the level of spice that I’m looking for in these tacos, we marinate raw chicken breasts in a spicy chipotle sauce and then balance that heat with a rich avocado crema sauce.

To simplify this recipe just use any leftover chicken you may have from other dishes.

• Chicken – We use boneless skinless chicken breasts and grill them. Alternatively, you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs as well, with the same marinade, and without the need to pound them out.
• Marinade – Chipotle in adobo, extra virgin olive oil, garlic clove, kosher salt, lime juice. Or you can use our citrus-based chicken marinade which is less spicy.
• Seasoning – This is optional but after the marinade (and before grilling) you can add a nice chicken seasoning to add even more flavor. 
• Tortillas – We always opt for soft corn tortillas and warm them up before eating. But you can also use hard taco shells or flour tortillas. It really comes down to your preference.
• Taco Toppings – Our go-to taco toppings include: red onions, fresh cilantro, pico de gallo, shredded lettuce, or diced red onions
• Avocado Crema – Ripe avocado is important, Mexican crema (or sour cream), shallots, more garlic, more lime juice, and kosher salt. Substitute Note – You can also sub the cream with whole fat Greek Yogurt (but it may taste a wee bit more tart).

Preparation

Like I mentioned, you can go the whole smoked chicken and shred it. You can also use thighs. But for these, we’re going with boneless skinless breasts.

Chicken breasts marinate easily, but before marinating you need to thin out the chicken breast using a mallet. Thinning the breasts will make the chicken more uniform and cook more evenly in any cooking device, especially on a grill.

As you can see in the photo below one side of any chicken breast is thick. Start by pounding the thicker side first to make it as even as possible with the thinner side.

Pound the thicker side by slightly angling the mallet toward the outer edge of the chicken, or away from the thinner side. This slowly allows the chicken to stretch out as well as flatten.

After you pound out the left side. Note it’s an even thickness throughout.

TIP: Prior to grilling be sure that your avocado crema and toppings are also done.

Marinade for Spicy Chicken Tacos

To spice it up I’m adding chipotle peppers (smoked jalapeños) to the marinade, because I love that smoky flavor. But if you don’t have chipotle you can easily substitute your favorite hot sauce. Alternatively you can add some dry spices (like red pepper flakes, dried chipotle, chili powder, cayenne pepper).

BUT just a warning, if you add dry spices use much less as they are more potent (like 1 teaspoon of your spicy dry seasoning vs. 2 tablespoons of the liquid chipotle in adobo).

1. Combine the marinade ingredients into a one-gallon freezer-size baggie or any airtight container. Add the raw chicken breasts and seal.
2. Place the bag in the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes (up to 24 hours). We recommend 2 hours for the best flavor.
3. Note: you want your chicken to be pounded out evenly before adding to the marinade. Thinner chicken allows for more surface area for the marinade to sink in.

Seasoning

After two hours of marinating, remove the chicken from the marinade. Don’t rinse the marinade from the chicken. Leave it on there, and then season the chicken breasts with our chicken seasoning or your favorite chicken rub.

Grilling

1. About 30 minutes before you are going to grill your chicken, prepare your grill for direct grilling targeting 500 degrees Fahrenheit using lump charcoal.
2. Place the seasoned chicken on the grill grates over direct heat. Grill for 5 minutes and then flip. Continue to grill for additional 4 – 5 minutes or until the chicken breast is cooked to the proper internal temperature (165 degrees F) as read with a good instant-read thermometer like the Thermoworks Thermapen One.
3. Once they’re done, pull them from the grill and allow them to rest 10 minutes. Shred your chicken and you’re ready to make your spicy chicken tacos!

Related Article – Learn the secrets of the perfect chicken temperature.

Chef’s Tip: Warm tortillas add a texture and flavor element. While the chicken is resting, grill the corn tortillas for 30 seconds per side.

Avocado Crema

This Avocado Crema is meant to cool down any spiciness from the spicy chicken taco marinade, and to give these tacos a great creamy topping.

What’s a crema?

It’s a thick, slightly sour, Mexican-style sour cream. Think of it as somewhere between sour cream and crème fraîche. You can find it in most grocery stores in the cooler near specialty foods.

Otherwise, you can go with sour cream (or even plain Greek yogurt) if it’s easier.

1. Place your crema (or sour cream) in the food processor with shallots, garlic clove, lime, salt, and half an avocado, and pulse to combine. Then add to a small bowl.
2. It’s best to prep this early so everything is ready when the chicken is done

*Note: If you go with sour cream know that it won’t be as thick of a consistency as crema, and tastes a bit sourer. But it’s a good enough substitute.

Build Tacos

It’s best to set this up family style or if you are scaling up for a party as a buffet.

Add the shredded spicy chicken to the tortilla. Then add some of the avocado and any of your toppings. Finish with the avocado crema and then top it with fresh cilantro.

Side Ideas for Spicy Chicken Tacos

It doesn’t get more classic for spicy chicken tacos than warm black or refried beans and Spanish rice. If you are looking at making burrito bowls, then skip the soft tacos and build the bowl with equal parts beans and rice. Then add the spicy shredded chicken, toppings, crema, and then the fresh cilantro.

More Favorite Taco Recipes

• Carne Asada Skirt Steak Tacos
• Reverse Seared Ribeye Steak Tacos
• Smoked Pulled Pork Tacos
• Easy and Healthy Grilled Fish Tacos
• Smoked Brisket Tacos
• Chipotle Honey Grilled Chicken