Baked Chicken Tacos Recipe
Enjoy restaurant-quality crunch without the mess. These baked chicken tacos feature juicy rotisserie chicken and bubbly cheese tucked inside perfectly crisp, spice-infused shells.
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Mixing Bowl
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 10-12 small corn tortillas, (5-inch size) or flour tortillas
- cooking spray, or neutral oil brushed onto tortillas
- 2 cups Mexican-style shredded cheese
- 2 cups shredded chicken, from rotisserie or cooked chicken
- 10 oz can Rotel tomatoes and green chiles, drained
- 2 Tbsp taco seasoning
- 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
Instructions
Infuse the flavor and prep the tortillas
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it is fully hot for maximum crispness.
- Combine your neutral oil with a pinch of smoked paprika and garlic powder, stirring until the oil turns red and fragrant.
- Lay the tortillas on a large rimmed baking sheet and brush both sides with a thin, even layer of the infused oil.
Mix the chicken filling
- In a medium bowl, stir together the shredded chicken, well-drained Rotel tomatoes, taco seasoning, and fresh lime juice until the mixture is zesty and well-coated.
Assemble, bake, and fold while hot
- Build the tacos open-faced by sprinkling half of the cheese over the tortillas, adding the chicken mixture, and topping with the remaining cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and the edges of the tortillas are golden brown.
- Remove the pan from the oven and immediately fold the tortillas using a spatula while they are still hot and pliable to prevent cracking.
Notes
Safety Tip: Always use a spatula to fold the tacos immediately after they come out of the oven, as the steam and tortillas will be very hot.
Storage Tip: Keep leftovers in a container with a bit of breathing room. For the best texture, reheat in an air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to restore the signature crunch.
Pro Tip: Thoroughly draining the canned tomatoes is the most important step for preventing soggy bottoms. Give the strainer a firm shake until all excess liquid is removed.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.