The Zesty Chicken Carnitas Tacos Recipe With Magic Avocado Sauce

Mexican street food lovers understand that crispy chicken carnitas tacos deliver pure culinary magic right to your plate.

Authentic flavors burst through each carefully crafted bite of tender, seasoned meat.

Slow-cooked chicken transforms into irresistibly crispy morsels that dance with bold spices.

Bright, fresh ingredients complement the rich protein in surprising ways.

Creamy avocado cilantro lime sauce adds a zesty punch that elevates every single taco.

Crunch meets smoothness in this perfectly balanced recipe that promises to become your new weekend favorite.

You’ll want to gather friends and make these tacos your next shared meal adventure.

Why These Chicken Carnitas Tacos Are a Total Hit

• Unlock Flavor Explosion: Packed with bold spices and zesty sauce, these tacos deliver an incredible taste experience that will make your taste buds dance.
• Master Culinary Techniques: Learn professional cooking methods like searing chicken and creating a creamy homemade sauce that elevates your kitchen skills.
• Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe allows swapping ingredients, adjusting spice levels, and personalizing toppings to suit individual preferences and dietary needs.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Perfect for family dinners, game nights, or casual gatherings where everyone can enjoy building their own delicious tacos with fresh ingredients.

Ingredients for Crispy Chicken Carnitas Tacos

• Chicken Thighs, Chicken Breasts: Tender meat that becomes crispy and flavorful when seasoned and roasted for the perfect taco filling.

• Cumin, Chili Powder, Salt, Black Pepper: A robust seasoning mix that adds depth and warmth to the chicken, creating a delicious flavor profile.

• Avocados: Creamy base that provides a rich and smooth texture to the sauce.
• Sour Cream, Mayonnaise: Ingredients that add tanginess and help create a creamy consistency for the sauce.
• Lime Juice: Bright citrus element that adds freshness and balances the rich flavors.
• Cilantro: Herb that brings a fresh, herbaceous note to the sauce.
• Garlic: Adds a pungent and aromatic flavor to the sauce.
• Jalapeños: Provides a spicy kick to the creamy avocado sauce.

• Corn Tortillas: Traditional base for authentic Mexican-style tacos.
• Red Onion, Cilantro: Fresh garnishes that add crunch and additional flavor to the tacos.
• Lime Wedges: Provides a zesty finish when squeezed over the tacos.

• Olive Oil: Used for searing chicken to create a golden-brown exterior.

How to Make Chicken Carnitas Tacos with Creamy Sauce

Step 1: Season The Chicken

Blend together a zesty spice mix with cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Thoroughly coat chicken thighs and breasts with this flavorful blend, ensuring every inch is covered with the aromatic seasoning.

Step 2: Sear The Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place chicken pieces into the hot pan, searing until a beautiful golden-brown color develops on both sides, creating a delicious crust.

Step 3: Roast To Perfection

Transfer the seared chicken to a prepared baking dish and slide into a preheated oven. Roast until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature, ensuring juicy and tender meat.

Step 4: Whip Up The Creamy Sauce

• Ripe avocados
• Sour cream
• Mayonnaise
• Fresh lime juice
• Chopped cilantro
• Minced garlic
• Jalapeños

Blend until smooth and ultra-creamy, creating a vibrant green sauce.

Step 5: Shred The Chicken

Allow the roasted chicken to rest briefly. Using two forks, pull the meat apart, creating delightfully crispy and tender shredded chicken.

Step 6: Warm The Tortillas

Gently warm corn tortillas in a dry skillet or directly over a gas flame, giving them a slight char and enhanced flavor.

Step 7: Assemble The Tacos

Layer the shredded chicken into warm tortillas. Generously drizzle the creamy avocado sauce over the top. Sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro and diced red onion for extra zest.

Step 8: Serve And Enjoy

Present the tacos immediately, accompanied by lime wedges. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the tacos just before devouring for a bright, citrusy finish.

Best Tips for Crisp Chicken and Tangy Avocado Sauce

• Perfectly Sear Chicken: Brown chicken pieces evenly in hot skillet to lock in flavors and create a golden exterior before roasting.
• Control Spice Level: Adjust jalapeño quantity in avocado sauce to make it mild or extra spicy according to personal heat preference.
• Achieve Crispy Texture: Shred chicken while it's slightly warm to get those delectable crispy edges that add amazing crunch to tacos.
• Enhance Tortilla Quality: Warm corn tortillas quickly on direct flame or skillet to prevent them from becoming dry or brittle.
• Master Sauce Consistency: Blend avocado sauce ingredients until ultra-smooth, adjusting lime juice and sour cream for perfect creamy thickness.

Tasty Taco Swaps and Add-Ons You’ll Want to Try

• Spicy Carnitas Remix: Replace jalapeños with habanero peppers for an extra fiery kick, adding more heat to the chicken and sauce.
• Mediterranean Fusion Tacos: Swap chili powder with za'atar spice blend, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, and add crumbled feta cheese as a topping.
• Smoky BBQ Chicken Version: Mix BBQ sauce into shredded chicken, use smoked paprika in spice rub, and add crispy bacon bits as a crunchy garnish.
• Vegetarian Carnitas Alternative: Substitute chicken with roasted jackfruit, maintaining the same spice blend and cooking method for a plant-based option.

What Sides Pair Best with Chicken Carnitas Tacos

• Pair Zesty Mexican Margaritas: Blend fresh lime margaritas with silver tequila to complement the tangy cilantro lime sauce and enhance the chicken's spicy notes.
• Refresh with Crisp Mexican Beer: Choose a light Mexican lager like Modelo Especial or Corona Extra to cut through the richness of the avocado sauce and cleanse the palate.
• Cool Down with Cucumber Agua Fresca: Create a light, refreshing drink with cucumber, lime, and mint to balance the spicy jalapeños and provide a hydrating contrast to the crispy chicken.
• Match with Citrus Slaw Side: Prepare a quick cabbage slaw with lime juice and orange segments to add bright acidity and crunchy texture that complements the tender, crispy chicken carnitas.

How to Keep Tacos Fresh and Ready to Reheat

• Store shredded chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, keeping it fresh and ready for quick meals.
• Pack cooled chicken in freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, removing excess air, and freeze for up to 2-3 months for longer preservation.
• Keep avocado cilantro lime sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator, consuming within 1-2 days to maintain its creamy texture and vibrant flavor.
• Store chicken and sauce separately to prevent soggy tortillas and maintain the crispy texture of the meat when reheating.

FAQs About Chicken Carnitas Taco Night

• What makes the chicken crispy?

Searing the chicken in a hot skillet before roasting creates a golden-brown exterior, and shredding the meat after roasting helps develop a crispy, pulled texture.

• Can I use chicken breasts or thighs?

Either works great! Chicken thighs tend to be more flavorful and juicy, while chicken breasts are leaner and work well if you prefer white meat.

• How spicy is the avocado sauce?

The sauce has a mild heat from jalapeños, but you can control the spice level by removing the seeds or adjusting the number of jalapeños used.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, the recipe is naturally gluten-free when using corn tortillas and checking that your spices are gluten-free certified.

Crispy Chicken Carnitas Tacos With Avocado Cilantro Lime Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Mexican chicken carnitas tacos blend succulent shredded meat with zesty avocado cilantro lime sauce, creating a flavor fiesta that dances across taste buds. Crispy edges and fresh garnishes make these tacos an irresistible culinary journey you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 lbs chicken thighs
• 1 lb chicken breasts

Produce and Herbs:

• 2 avocados
• 1 bunch cilantro
• 4 limes
• 2 jalapeños
• 1 red onion
• 4 garlic cloves

Pantry and Seasoning:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 8 corn tortillas

Sauce Ingredients:

• 0.5 cup sour cream
• 0.25 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp lime juice

Garnish:

• 0.25 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 sliced lime for serving

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a large baking dish for the chicken.
2. Combine cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl, then thoroughly coat chicken thighs and breasts with the spice mixture.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken pieces until golden brown on both sides, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
4. Transfer seared chicken to the prepared baking dish and roast in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
5. While chicken is roasting, prepare the avocado cilantro lime sauce by blending avocados, sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, and jalapeños until smooth and creamy.
6. Remove chicken from oven and let rest for 5 minutes, then shred meat using two forks, creating crispy, pulled texture.
7. Warm corn tortillas in a dry skillet or directly over gas flame for 30 seconds on each side.
8. Assemble tacos by layering shredded chicken in tortillas, generously drizzling avocado sauce, and garnishing with chopped cilantro and red onion.
9. Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing over tacos.

Notes

• Spice Adjustment: Modify the spice blend to suit personal heat preferences by reducing or increasing chili powder and adding smoked paprika for deeper flavor complexity.
• Protein Flexibility: Swap chicken with pork or turkey for a different protein variation while maintaining the same cooking technique and seasoning profile.
• Sauce Customization: Create a dairy-free version of the avocado sauce by replacing sour cream and mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or vegan alternatives for dietary accommodations.
• Crispy Texture Technique: Allow shredded chicken to briefly broil after roasting to enhance crispiness and develop more caramelized edges for added depth of flavor.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg