Description
These Baked Chicken Tacos offer a quick, flavorful, and easy way to enjoy a classic Mexican-inspired meal. Shredded chicken mixed with salsa, nestled in crispy hard taco shells and topped with melted cheese, then baked to perfection. Customize with your favorite toppings for a delicious and satisfying dinner or party snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded)
- 1 cup salsa
Taco Assembly
- 10 hard taco shells
- 1 cup shredded cheese (Tex-Mex blend or cheddar)
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Chopped tomatoes
- Chopped onions
- Avocado slices
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and position the oven rack in the middle to ensure even heat distribution for baking the tacos.
- Combine Chicken and Salsa: In a mixing bowl, stir together 2 cups of shredded cooked chicken with 1 cup of salsa until the mixture is well combined and evenly coated with salsa.
- Prepare Taco Shells: Arrange the 10 hard taco shells in a baking dish (preferably 9×13 inches). Flat bottom taco shells are recommended for stability and ease of filling.
- Fill and Top Tacos: Spoon the chicken and salsa mixture evenly into each taco shell. Then sprinkle about 1 cup of shredded cheese evenly over the filled tacos.
- Bake the Tacos: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the tacos are heated through. Check at about 10 minutes to prevent burning.
- Prep Toppings: While the tacos bake, prepare your desired toppings such as sour cream, diced tomatoes, onions, and avocado slices.
- Serve: Remove the tacos from the oven, add your chosen toppings, and enjoy them warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Using flat bottom taco shells helps them stand upright in the baking dish, making assembly and baking easier.
- Feel free to substitute the salsa with your favorite spicy or mild salsa depending on your heat preference.
- These tacos can be garnished with any toppings you prefer such as lettuce, jalapeños, or fresh cilantro.
- Check the tacos near the end of baking time to avoid burning the shells or cheese.
- Leftover baked chicken tacos can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
