Description
These Easy Baked Crispy Chicken Tacos combine tender shredded chicken seasoned with smoky spices and melty Monterey Jack cheese, all baked to crispy perfection in corn tortillas. Ready in just 30 minutes, they make a delicious Tex-Mex dinner that's simple to prepare and sure to please the whole family.
Ingredients
Chicken Filling
- 2 1/2 cups shredded chicken
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder (optional, for a little spice)
- 1/2 cup salsa
Tacos
- 10 corn tortillas
- 2.5 cups shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) to get it hot enough for baking crispy tacos.
- Prepare Chicken Filling: In a large bowl, thoroughly mix the shredded chicken with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chipotle chili powder, and salsa until well combined and evenly seasoned.
- Soften Tortillas: Wrap the corn tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave them for 30 to 60 seconds until they are pliable and easy to fold without cracking.
- Assemble Tacos: Brush one side of each tortilla with olive oil. On the un-oiled side, sprinkle approximately 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese on half of the tortilla, then top with 1/4 cup of the seasoned chicken, and add another 2 tablespoons of cheese on top. Fold the tortilla over the filling to create a taco shape.
- Arrange for Baking: Repeat the assembly with remaining tortillas and place the folded tacos in a single layer on a baking sheet to ensure even cooking.
- Bake Tacos: Bake in the preheated oven for 16 minutes, flipping the tacos halfway through the baking time to achieve crispiness on both sides.
- Rest and Serve: Once golden brown and crispy, remove the tacos from the oven and allow them to rest for 3 minutes before serving to let the cheese set slightly.
Notes
- Microwaving the tortillas wrapped in a damp towel prevents them from cracking when folded.
- Use Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend cheese for best melting and flavor.
- Chipotle chili powder is optional and can be omitted to reduce spice.
- Flipping the tacos halfway ensures even crisping on both sides.
- Leftover tacos can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
