Name: Baked Chicken Tacos Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie works great); 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel); 1/2 cup salsa; 1 packet taco seasoning or 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese; 10–12 hard taco shells; nonstick cooking spray; 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional); shredded lettuce; diced tomatoes; sour cream; sliced avocado for serving

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If you’re looking for a dinner that combines the bold flavors of Mexican cuisine Main Course. Not only are these tacos incredibly satisfying, but they come together in under half an hour, making them a go-to for busy weeknights or a fun, interactive meal with friends and family.

Baked Chicken Tacos Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are all about simplicity and maximum flavor. Every element in this Baked Chicken Tacos Recipe has a specific job—whether it’s adding moisture, a cheesy pull, a crunchy bite, or a spicy kick. Here’s what you’ll need and why:

Cooked shredded chicken: Rotisserie chicken is a game-changer, making prep fast and adding tender texture to every bite.
Diced tomatoes with green chiles: This brings a tangy, slightly spicy juiciness that keeps the filling lively.
Salsa: Choose your favorite for an extra layer of flavor and moisture—chunky or smooth, it’s up to you.
Taco seasoning: Pack in that classic, crave-worthy taco flavor with either a store-bought packet or your homemade mix.
Shredded cheddar cheese: Gives that rich, sharp cheesy goodness and melts perfectly over the tacos.
Shredded Monterey Jack cheese: Melts beautifully and balances the flavors with creamy notes.
Hard taco shells: For irresistible crunch and that classic taco bite once baked in the oven.
Nonstick cooking spray: Prevents sticking and helps the shells turn out perfectly crisp.
Fresh cilantro (optional): Adds a herbal, fresh pop of flavor and a pretty finish if you love cilantro’s magic touch.
Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and sliced avocado (for serving): These toppings bring freshness, creaminess, and color—totally customizable to your taste.

How to Make Baked Chicken Tacos Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Skillet

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. This ensures everything will bake up perfectly crispy and melty in the final step. Meanwhile, grab a medium skillet and set it over medium heat. It’s time to create that incredibly flavorful taco filling that’s going to steal the show.

Step 2: Make the Chicken Filling

Add your shredded chicken, diced tomatoes with green chiles, salsa, and taco seasoning right into the skillet. Give everything a good stir, breaking up any large pieces of chicken. Let this simmer for around 5 to 7 minutes. As it cooks, the flavors deepen and the mixture thickens slightly—the smell at this point is irresistible!

Step 3: Assemble the Tacos

Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray to prevent sticking (and to make cleanup a breeze). Line up your hard taco shells upright in the dish. If you want an extra crunch or want to defend against soggy shells, sprinkle a pinch of cheese into the bottom of each shell before adding the filling. This small trick helps keep the shells perfectly crisp.

Step 4: Fill and Top the Shells

Spoon the warm chicken mixture evenly into each taco shell. Don’t be afraid to fill them generously! Next, shower both the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly over the top of the filled tacos. The blend of cheeses creates that gooey, golden topping that everyone craves.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pop the entire baking dish into your preheated oven. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is perfectly melted and those taco shells start to turn a nice, light golden color. This hands-off time is perfect for prepping your toppings or setting the table.

Step 6: Add Fresh Finishing Touches

Once baked, remove from the oven and, if you love it, add a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro for brightness and color. Serve right away, and let everyone pile on their favorite toppings—shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, cool sour cream, and creamy avocado slices.

How to Serve Baked Chicken Tacos Recipe

Garnishes

The magic really happens with your garnishes! Think of a bowl piled high with crisp shredded lettuce, juicy diced tomatoes, rich dollops of sour cream, and perfectly ripe avocado slices. Finish with a shower of fresh cilantro or maybe a squeeze of lime. These additions offer a cooling contrast to the warm, spiced filling and bring a welcome pop of color to each plate.

Side Dishes

Round out your Baked Chicken Tacos Recipe with some easy go-to sides. Consider serving with classic Mexican rice, zesty cilantro-lime black beans, or even a bright corn salad. Chips and salsa or a bowl of guacamole also work perfectly alongside and keep things festive.

Creative Ways to Present

Have a little fun with your presentation! Set up a taco bar so everyone can add their favorites, or nestle the tacos in a lined basket for that true taqueria feel. For a party, slice each taco in half, stack them artfully on a platter, and scatter extra toppings all around—it’ll look just as irresistible as it tastes!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with a few leftover baked chicken tacos (lucky you!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge. The filling and shells hold up surprisingly well for up to two days, though the shells will soften a bit as they soak in all the flavor.

Freezing

While taco shells lose their crispness once frozen, you can freeze the chicken filling for future busy nights—just let it cool completely and portion into freezer bags. When taco cravings hit, simply thaw, reheat, and assemble with fresh shells and toppings.

Reheating

To bring leftovers back to life, pop the tacos into the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, or until everything is gooey and warmed through. You can also reheat the filling separately on the stovetop or microwave, then refill fresh shells for best texture.

FAQs

Can I use flour tortillas instead of hard taco shells?

Absolutely! You can roll up the filling in flour tortillas and bake them enchilada-style for a softer, cozier version of this Baked Chicken Tacos Recipe. Just remember to cover them with foil when baking.

What’s the best cheese to use?

Cheddar and Monterey Jack create a lovely melty, flavorful combo, but feel free to swap in pepper jack for some heat, or even a smoky gouda or mozzarella for extra creaminess if that’s what you have on hand.

Can I make this recipe gluten free?

Yes! Just double-check that your taco seasoning and shells are certified gluten free, and you’re good to go. Most corn taco shells naturally fit the bill.

Does the chicken filling work with other proteins?

Definitely. Try this Baked Chicken Tacos Recipe with shredded turkey, ground beef, or even plant-based crumbles. The filling is endlessly versatile!

How do I keep the taco shells from getting soggy?

A thin layer of shredded cheese in the bottom of each shell before adding the filling acts as a barrier as it melts during baking, keeping the crunch intact longer—plus, more cheese is always a good thing!

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like sharing a meal that’s just as easy as it is delicious, and this Baked Chicken Tacos Recipe is bound to become a new favorite at your table. Every bite is packed with bold flavor, creamy cheese, and that satisfying taco crunch. Gather your favorite toppings, invite some friends, and get ready for a taco night everyone will remember. I can’t wait for you to try it!

Baked Chicken Tacos Recipe

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4.9 from 22 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 5 servings (2 tacos each) 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

These Baked Chicken Tacos are a delicious and easy-to-make meal perfect for a weeknight dinner. Filled with flavorful chicken, gooey cheese, and topped with all your favorite taco fixings, these tacos are sure to be a family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken Filling:

2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie works great)
1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel)
1/2 cup salsa
1 packet taco seasoning or 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning

For Assembly:

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
10–12 hard taco shells
nonstick cooking spray
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
shredded lettuce
diced tomatoes
sour cream
sliced avocado for serving

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Cook the chicken: In a skillet, combine shredded chicken, diced tomatoes with green chiles, salsa, and taco seasoning. Cook until heated through and slightly thickened.
Prepare the tacos: Spray a baking dish with cooking spray. Stand taco shells inside and fill with chicken mixture. Top with cheeses.
Bake: Bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and shells are crisp.
Serve: Top with cilantro if desired and serve with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and avocado.

Notes

To prevent soggy shells, add a layer of cheese before filling. You can also use flour tortillas and roll them up enchilada-style. This recipe is great for using leftover chicken or turkey.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired