Easy Baked Chicken Tacos—a delicious and family-friendly twist on the classic Mexican dish. These tacos feature seasoned shredded chicken, melted cheese, and your favorite toppings, all nestled inside crispy taco shells and baked to perfection. Whether you’re hosting a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering with friends, these baked tacos are sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. Get ready to enjoy the perfect blend of crispy, cheesy, and flavorful goodness in every bite!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Baked Chicken Tacos:

Crispy taco shells filled with tender, seasoned chicken.
Melted cheese adds gooey goodness to every bite.
Customizable with your favorite taco toppings for endless flavor combinations.
Baking the tacos ensures a hands-off cooking method with minimal cleanup.

Personal Story: Growing up, taco night was always a favorite in our household. There’s something special about assembling your own tacos with all your favorite toppings—it’s a meal that brings everyone together and encourages creativity in the kitchen. When I discovered the concept of baked tacos, I knew I had to give them a try. The result was a revelation—the same delicious flavors of traditional tacos, but with an added crispy texture and less mess. From that moment on, Easy Baked Chicken Tacos became a regular feature on our dinner menu, loved by both kids and adults alike.

Key Features:

Seasoned shredded chicken for flavorful taco filling.
Crispy taco shells that hold up well to baking.
Melted cheese that adds a gooey, indulgent touch to each taco.
Versatile dish that can be customized with a variety of toppings to suit everyone’s tastes.

What i need to make Easy Baked Chicken Tacos

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 packet taco seasoning mix
1/4 cup water
12 hard taco shells
1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
Optional toppings: diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, diced onions, sliced jalapeños, sour cream, salsa, guacamole

How to Make Easy Baked Chicken Tacos

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until browned on both sides, about 5-6 minutes per side.
Sprinkle the taco seasoning mix over the chicken breasts, then pour in the water. Stir to combine, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the chicken simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
Remove the chicken from the skillet and shred it using two forks.
Arrange the hard taco shells on the prepared baking sheet, standing them upright.
Divide the shredded chicken evenly among the taco shells, filling each one about halfway.
Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top of the chicken in each taco shell.
Bake the tacos in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the taco shells are crispy.
Remove the tacos from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
Serve the baked chicken tacos with your favorite toppings, such as diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, diced onions, sliced jalapeños, sour cream, salsa, or guacamole.

Cooking Tips For Easy Baked Chicken Tacos:

Be sure to use hard taco shells that are sturdy enough to stand up to baking without collapsing. You can also double up the taco shells for added stability.
Customize the seasoning of the shredded chicken by using homemade taco seasoning or your favorite store-bought blend.
To save time, you can use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken and toss it with taco seasoning before filling the taco shells.
For extra flavor, you can add diced onions and bell peppers to the skillet with the chicken while it’s cooking.
Don’t overfill the taco shells to prevent them from spilling over during baking. Aim for a balanced filling-to-shell ratio for the best results.

Variations For Easy Baked Chicken Tacos:

Swap out the chicken for ground beef, ground turkey, or shredded pork for different protein options.
Add beans (such as black beans or refried beans) to the taco filling for added fiber and protein.
Experiment with different cheese blends or types of cheese, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack, for varied flavor profiles.
Make it vegetarian by using seasoned tofu or roasted vegetables as the taco filling.
For a low-carb option, skip the taco shells altogether and serve the seasoned chicken and cheese as a filling for lettuce wraps or over a bed of mixed greens.

Make It Healthier:

Use lean chicken breasts and trim any excess fat to reduce the overall fat content of the dish.
Opt for whole grain or low-carb tortillas instead of traditional hard taco shells for added fiber and nutrients.
Load up on veggies by adding plenty of fresh toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, onions, and jalapeños.
Use reduced-fat or part-skim cheese to lower the fat content of the tacos without sacrificing flavor.
Serve the baked chicken tacos alongside a side salad or steamed vegetables for a well-rounded and nutritious meal.

Closing: Say goodbye to soggy taco shells and hello to crispy, flavorful goodness with our Easy Baked Chicken Tacos. With seasoned shredded chicken, melted cheese, and your favorite toppings, all baked to perfection inside crispy taco shells, these tacos are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re hosting a casual dinner with friends or enjoying a weeknight meal with the family, these baked tacos are sure to become a new favorite in your recipe rotation. So preheat your oven, gather your ingredients, and get ready to enjoy the ultimate taco night experience with our delicious Easy Baked Chicken Tacos.

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Frequently Asked Questions For Easy Baked Chicken Tacos:

Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken from scratch?

Yes, using store-bought rotisserie chicken is a convenient shortcut that saves time. Simply shred the cooked chicken and toss it with taco seasoning before filling the taco shells.

Can I make these tacos ahead of time and reheat them later?

While the tacos are best enjoyed fresh from the oven, you can assemble them ahead of time and refrigerate them, covered, for up to 24 hours before baking. Simply bake them in the preheated oven when you’re ready to serve.

Can I freeze leftover Easy Baked Chicken Tacos?

Yes, you can freeze leftover baked chicken tacos for future enjoyment. Let them cool completely, then wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. To reheat, thaw the tacos in the refrigerator overnight and bake them in the oven until heated through.

Can I use soft tortillas instead of hard taco shells for this Easy Baked Chicken Tacos?

Absolutely! While this recipe calls for hard taco shells for a crispy texture, you can use soft tortillas if you prefer. Simply fill the tortillas with the seasoned chicken and cheese, roll them up, and place them seam-side down in a baking dish. Bake as directed until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Can I make these tacos vegetarian?

Yes, you can make vegetarian baked tacos by using seasoned tofu or roasted vegetables (such as bell peppers, onions, and zucchini) as the taco filling. Simply follow the recipe as directed, substituting the chicken with your preferred vegetarian option.

Baked Chicken Tacos

Recipe by CutsfoodCourse: All Recipes, Weight watchers

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Ingredients

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 packet taco seasoning mix
1/4 cup water
12 hard taco shells
1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
Optional toppings: diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, diced onions, sliced jalapeños, sour cream, salsa, guacamole

Directions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until browned on both sides, about 5-6 minutes per side.
Sprinkle the taco seasoning mix over the chicken breasts, then pour in the water. Stir to combine, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the chicken simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
Remove the chicken from the skillet and shred it using two forks.
Arrange the hard taco shells on the prepared baking sheet, standing them upright.
Divide the shredded chicken evenly among the taco shells, filling each one about halfway.
Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top of the chicken in each taco shell.
Bake the tacos in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the taco shells are crispy.
Remove the tacos from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
Serve the baked chicken tacos with your favorite toppings, such as diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, diced onions, sliced jalapeños, sour cream, salsa, or guacamole.

Easy Baked Chicken Tacos