Zesty Baked Spicy Chicken Tacos
Transform your taco night with these Zesty Baked Spicy Chicken Tacos! Bursting with flavor from seasoned shredded chicken, zesty tomatoes, and a medley of spices, these tacos are a delightful blend of crispy shells and gooey cheese. Perfect for family gatherings or a casual dinner party, these tacos are not only easy to prepare but also customizable to suit all taste preferences. Serve them hot from the oven, topped with your favorite garnishes for an authentic Mexican experience.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil
1 tablespoon (None)
Cooked chicken, shredded
1/2 lb (Shred the cooked chicken)
Old El Paso hot and spicy taco seasoning
1 (1 ounce) packet (None)
Onion, diced
1/2 cup (Dice the onion)
Diced tomatoes
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can (Drain the tomatoes)
Old El Paso chopped green chilies
1 (4 1/2 ounce) can (None)
Old El Paso Stand ‘N Stuff taco shells
10 (None)
Old El Paso refried beans
1/2 (16 ounce) can (None)
Mexican blend cheese, shredded
2 cups (Shred the cheese)
Toppings (such as jalapeños, sour cream, salsa, cilantro, lettuce)
to taste (Chop or prepare as desired)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, setting it aside.
2
In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat, then add the diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until they become soft and translucent.
3
Add the shredded cooked chicken to the skillet, followed by the hot and spicy taco seasoning, drained diced tomatoes, and chopped green chilies. Stir everything together and let it simmer for 5-8 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
4
Arrange the Old El Paso Stand ‘N Stuff tacos upright in the baking dish; you’ll be able to fit 10 shells with a little bit of creative positioning on the sides.
5
For each taco shell, spoon about 1 tablespoon of refried beans into the bottom. Then, carefully spoon the chicken mixture on top, filling almost to the top of each shell.
6
Generously sprinkle shredded Mexican blend cheese over the filled taco shells, using more cheese for an extra melty result!
7
Bake the tacos in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges of the taco shells are golden brown.
8
Once done, remove from the oven and add your desired toppings such as sliced jalapeños, sour cream, fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, and salsa for that extra touch.
9
Serve hot and enjoy the delicious flavors of these baked spicy chicken tacos!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Zesty Baked Spicy Chicken Tacos?
They are a flavorful meal consisting of seasoned shredded chicken, zesty tomatoes, and spices baked in crispy shells with melted cheese.
What kind of chicken is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 lb of cooked chicken that has been shredded.
What oven temperature is required for baking these tacos?
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) before baking.
How should I prepare the baking dish?
Lightly spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
How long do I sauté the onions?
Sauté the diced onions in olive oil for 2-3 minutes until they are soft and translucent.
What goes into the chicken filling mixture?
The filling includes shredded cooked chicken, hot and spicy taco seasoning, drained diced tomatoes, and chopped green chilies.
How long should the chicken mixture simmer?
Let the mixture simmer in the skillet for 5-8 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
What type of taco shells are recommended?
Old El Paso Stand 'N Stuff taco shells are recommended because they stay upright in the dish.
How many taco shells does this recipe fill?
This recipe is designed to fill 10 taco shells.
What is the first layer put into the taco shells?
Spoon about 1 tablespoon of refried beans into the bottom of each shell before adding the chicken.
How much cheese is needed for the topping?
The recipe suggests 2 cups of shredded Mexican blend cheese, but you can use more for extra meltiness.
How long do the tacos need to bake?
Bake the tacos for 12-14 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
How do I know when the tacos are done?
The tacos are ready when the cheese is bubbly and the edges of the shells are golden brown.
What are some recommended fresh toppings?
Suggested toppings include sliced jalapeños, sour cream, fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, salsa, and lettuce.
Do I need to drain the diced tomatoes?
Yes, ensure the 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes is drained before adding it to the skillet.
What size can of green chilies should I use?
Use one 4.5 ounce can of chopped green chilies.
Are these chicken tacos spicy?
Yes, they use hot and spicy taco seasoning and green chilies for a zesty, spicy flavor profile.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
While Mexican blend is suggested, you can use any shredded cheese that melts well, like cheddar or Monterey Jack.
What type of oil is used to sauté the onions?
The recipe specifies using 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
How much onion is required?
You will need 1/2 cup of diced onion.
What kind of refried beans should I buy?
The recipe suggests using half of a 16 ounce can of Old El Paso refried beans.
Can I customize this recipe for picky eaters?
Yes, these tacos are highly customizable to suit different taste preferences and garnishes.
Is this recipe suitable for a family dinner?
Absolutely, it is described as perfect for family gatherings or casual dinner parties.
Can I use raw chicken instead of cooked?
The recipe calls for precooked shredded chicken; if using raw, you must cook it thoroughly before following the assembly steps.
Should I serve these tacos hot?
Yes, for the best texture and flavor, serve them hot immediately after removing them from the oven.
How much taco seasoning is used?
One 1-ounce packet of hot and spicy taco seasoning is required.
Can I add jalapeños inside the taco before baking?
The recipe suggests adding them as a topping after baking, but you can add them inside if you prefer more heat.
How do I position the shells in the pan?
Arrange them upright in the 9x13-inch dish, using creative positioning on the sides to fit all 10.
Are these tacos crunchy?
Yes, baking the shells in the oven helps ensure they are crispy and golden brown.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 10 main ingredients used in this recipe.