Crispy Chicken Wonton Tacos (Printable version)
Golden wonton shells stuffed with seasoned chicken, crunchy slaw, and tangy sauce for a fun Asian-inspired twist on taco night.
# Ingredient list:
→ Chicken Marinade
01 - 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, approximately 12 ounces, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
02 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
03 - 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
04 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
05 - 1 teaspoon cornstarch
06 - 1 clove garlic, minced
07 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
→ Wonton Shells
08 - 12 square wonton wrappers
09 - Nonstick cooking spray or 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
→ Asian Slaw
10 - 1 cup shredded cabbage
11 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots
12 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
14 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
15 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
16 - 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
17 - 1 pinch salt
→ Creamy Chili Sauce
18 - 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
19 - 1 tablespoon sweet chili sauce
20 - 1 teaspoon sriracha, optional
21 - 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine diced chicken with soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a bowl. Toss thoroughly and marinate for 10 minutes at room temperature.
02 - In a medium bowl, combine shredded cabbage, carrots, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro. Whisk together rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and salt, then toss with vegetables. Set aside to marinate.
03 - Combine mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and lime juice in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and blended. Refrigerate until assembly.
04 - Lightly coat both sides of wonton wrappers with cooking spray or brush with vegetable oil. Drape each wrapper over two parallel bars of oven rack, forming a taco shape. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Cool briefly on rack before handling.
05 - Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for 2 minutes to develop sear, then stir frequently for 3 to 4 minutes until chicken is cooked through and pieces are lightly caramelized.
06 - Fill each crispy wonton shell generously with cooked chicken. Top with a generous portion of Asian slaw. Drizzle with spicy aioli and serve immediately while shells remain crisp.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The crispy wonton shells stay shatteringly crunchy unlike soft tortillas that get soggy
- You get that perfect balance of savory sweet tangy in every single bite
- They look impressive but come together in under 40 minutes start to finish
02 -
- Working quickly when assembling is crucial because those shells start losing their signature crunch after 15 minutes
- The cornstarch in the marinade is what creates that beautiful caramelization so don't skip it
03 -
- Pat your chicken pieces dry before adding the marinade so the sauce actually sticks instead of sliding off
- Grate your ginger directly into the marinade bowl to capture all those flavorful juices