Description
This crispy taco-seasoned ground chicken taco recipe offers a deliciously crunchy exterior with savory, seasoned chicken filling topped with melted cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun weekend fiesta, these tacos are customizable with your favorite toppings like sour cream, guacamole, and salsa. The method combines stovetop cooking for the filling and oven baking to achieve perfectly crispy shells, making them simple yet satisfying.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meat and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/3 cup water or chicken stock
Tortillas and Cheese
- 8-10 small or medium tortillas - flour or corn
- 3/4 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Salsa
Instructions
- Preheat oven and skillet: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a skillet over medium/high heat to prepare for cooking the chicken filling.
- Cook the chicken filling: Add olive oil to the skillet. Once hot, add ground chicken and taco seasoning. Cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking apart the meat as it cooks for even browning and seasoning distribution.
- Add sauce and simmer: Mix in tomato paste and water or chicken stock. Cook until the mixture is saucy but not watery, about 2-3 minutes. Turn off heat and set aside.
- Prepare tortillas: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Warm the tortillas if using corn, to prevent breaking. Lightly brush both sides with olive oil to help crispiness.
- Fill tortillas: Place 2 tablespoons of meat onto one side of each tortilla. For larger tortillas, add a little more, avoiding overfilling. Sprinkle a small amount of shredded cheese on top of the meat.
- Fold and arrange: Fold the tortilla over the filling to create a taco shape. Repeat for remaining tortillas and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Press and bake: Place a second baking sheet on top of the folded tacos to keep them pressed flat (optional). Bake for 5 minutes, then remove the top sheet and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until golden and crispy and cheese has melted.
- Cool and serve: Let the tacos cool for a few minutes. Serve with optional toppings like sour cream, salsa, or guacamole for added flavor.
Notes
- You can prepare the filling ahead of time and reheat before assembling the tacos.
- Use corn or flour tortillas based on preference; warming corn tortillas ensures they are pliable for folding.
- For extra crispiness, bake the tacos directly on the oven rack instead of a baking sheet.
- Feel free to customize toppings to suit your taste, including shredded lettuce, sliced jalapeños, or chopped onions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco (about 150 grams)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
