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Baked Chicken Tacos

Baked Chicken Tacos

The ultimate comfort food, Baked Chicken Tacos are quick, flavorful, and perfect for a weeknight dinner. With crispy shells and a savory filling, this easy recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings. Make it tonight for a fun family meal!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 380
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 0.5 pound shredded cooked chicken We used Rotisserie chicken
  • 1 ounce taco seasoning (click for recipe!)
  • 0.5 cup diced onion
  • 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes fully drained (1 can)
  • 4.5 ounces diced green chiles fully drained (1 can)
  • 10 hard taco shells hard taco shells We used Old El Paso Stand 'N Stuff
  • 8 ounces refried beans (½ can)
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
  • 1 each sliced jalapeños
  • 1 each sour cream
  • 1 each salsa
  • 1 each shredded lettuce
  • 1 each chopped fresh cilantro

Equipment

  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. This is essential for getting those taco shells nice and crispy. While it heats, spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
  2. In a medium skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Once heated, toss in the diced onion. Sauté it for about 2 to 3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant. The smell will be heavenly!
  3. Next, stir in the shredded chicken, taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, and diced green chiles. Mix well to combine all the flavors and reduce the heat to a simmer. Let this cook for about 5 to 8 minutes, allowing all the ingredients to meld together.
  4. Now, place the hard taco shells into the prepared baking dish, standing them upright. You should be able to fit all 10 shells by positioning them carefully.
  5. Before adding the filling, bake the taco shells alone for 5 minutes. This step helps them crisp up nicely, ensuring they hold all the delicious fillings perfectly.
  6. Once baked, remove them from the oven and gently spoon 1 tablespoon of refried beans into the bottom of each taco shell. The beans will add flavor and help support the filling.
  7. Next, fill each shell almost to the top with the chicken mixture you’ve prepared. Don't be shy; load them up!
  8. Sprinkle each taco generously with shredded cheese. Seriously, you can never have enough cheese!
  9. Return the baking dish to the oven and bake the tacos for an additional 7 to 10 minutes. You’re looking for the cheese to be fully melted and the edges of the taco shells to become golden brown.
  10. Finally, take them out of the oven and let them cool for a minute. Top each taco with your favorite garnishes like sliced jalapeños, sour cream, shredded lettuce, cilantro, and salsa. Serve and enjoy your delicious Baked Chicken Tacos!

Notes

Between the taco seasoning, green chiles, and jalapenos (my favorite topping, though it’s completely optional), this baked chicken tacos recipe is relatively spicy, but not overwhelmingly hot.
When I want to make them less spicy, I skip the jalapeños on top. The green chiles can be quite mild, but if you or the kids are sensitive to spice, simply skip over them when making the chicken filling.
Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.