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Easy • Chicken

Oven-Baked Crispy Chicken Tacos

These easy oven-baked tacos are loaded with seasoned chicken and cheese, then baked to crispy, golden perfection.

Prep
15 min
Cook
15 min
Servings
6
Level
Easy
Oven-Baked Crispy Chicken Tacos

Taco night just got a whole lot easier – and crispier! These Oven-Baked Crispy Chicken Tacos are a game-changer for busy weeknights. No messy frying, just delicious, cheesy, crunchy tacos that everyone will love. Assemble them, pop them in the oven, and get ready for a crowd-pleasing dinner!

Ingredients

Yield: 6 servings

Main

  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works great!)
  • 1 (10 oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained
  • 1 tbsp taco seasoning
  • ½ cup water
  • 12 corn tortillas
  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese (or a blend)
  • Olive oil spray or 1 tbsp olive oil

For Serving (Optional)

  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • Salsa or pico de gallo
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Diced avocado or guacamole

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a large baking sheet or line with parchment paper.

  2. Step 2

    In a medium bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken, drained Rotel, taco seasoning, and water. Mix well until everything is evenly coated.

  3. Step 3

    Warm the corn tortillas slightly to make them pliable (microwave for 15-20 seconds or heat in a dry skillet for a few seconds per side). This prevents them from cracking when folded.

  4. Step 4

    Lay a tortilla flat. Spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of the chicken mixture onto one half of the tortilla, leaving a small border. Sprinkle generously with shredded cheese.

  5. Step 5

    Fold the empty half of the tortilla over the filling, pressing down gently. Arrange the folded tacos on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.

  6. Step 6

    Lightly spray or brush the tops of the tacos with olive oil. This helps them get extra crispy.

  7. Step 7

    Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the tortillas are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly. You can flip them halfway through for even crisping, but it's not strictly necessary.

  8. Step 8

    Remove from the oven and serve hot with your favorite taco toppings like sour cream, salsa, lettuce, and avocado. Enjoy your crispy taco feast!

Tips

  • Using pre-cooked chicken (like a rotisserie chicken) makes this recipe incredibly fast.
  • Don't overfill the tacos, or they'll be hard to fold and might burst.
  • For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken mixture or use hot taco seasoning.

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