Description
Baked chicken tacos bring zesty Mexican-style comfort right to your dinner table, turning ordinary weeknight meals into a delightful fiesta of flavors. Crispy corn tortillas stuffed with seasoned chicken, melted cheese, and fresh toppings create a quick, satisfying meal that brings smiles around the table.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1 (15 oz/425 g) can black beans
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
Base and Seasoning:
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 10–12 crunchy taco shells
Optional Toppings:
- sour cream
- shredded lettuce
- diced tomatoes
- avocado
- cilantro
- jalapenos
Instructions
- Warm your oven to 400°F (200°C). Drape aluminum foil inside a 9×13 inch baking dish to simplify cleanup. Position taco shells vertically, nudging them close together for stability.
- Combine 2 cups shredded chicken, 1 cup salsa, 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, and 1 (15 oz) can drained black beans in a mixing bowl. Blend ingredients thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
- Distribute the chicken mixture across 10-12 taco shells, ensuring each shell receives an equal portion. Leave a small space at the top to prevent overflow.
- Sprinkle 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese generously over each filled taco shell, covering the mixture completely.
- Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven. Bake uncovered for exactly 10-12 minutes until cheese melts entirely and taco shell edges turn golden and crisp.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes. This brief cooling helps stabilize the tacos and intensifies their flavor profile.
- Garnish with optional toppings like fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, or sliced jalapenos just before serving for maximum freshness.
Notes
- Warm tortillas briefly before filling to prevent cracking and make them more pliable.
- Choose a sturdy baking dish that allows tacos to stand upright for even heating and crispy edges.
- For a lighter version, swap ground beef with shredded chicken or turkey and use low-fat cheese.
- Prep taco ingredients ahead of time and assemble just before baking to keep shells crisp and filling fresh.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg