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Crispy Baked Salsa Chicken Tacos

Quick and flavorful tacos filled with seasoned shredded chicken, baked to crispy perfection, ideal for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1.5 cups cooked, shredded chicken (from a rotisserie or leftovers) Using pre-cooked chicken saves time and maintains moisture.
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 3 tablespoons your favorite salsa Store-bought salsa works perfectly.
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
  • to taste Kosher salt and pepper
  • 12 4-inch corn tortillas (warmed) Warming prevents tearing.
  • 1 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese Can be substituted with Monterey Jack.
Toppings and Extras
  • pickled onions For topping.
  • cotija cheese For topping.
  • sour cream For serving.
  • cilantro For serving.
  • lime wedges For serving.
  • cherry tomatoes (quartered) Optional for fresh salsa topping.
  • diced sweet onion Optional for fresh salsa topping.
  • chopped cilantro Optional for fresh salsa topping.
  • lime juice Optional for fresh salsa topping.
  • to taste salt and pepper Optional for fresh salsa topping.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pro Tip: The right temperature ensures a crispy shell.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, sour cream, salsa, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined. Pro Tip: The aroma will be inviting at this stage!
Assembly and Baking
  1. Take each warmed tortilla and fill it with the chicken mixture. Don’t overfill, or they’ll be tricky to handle. Pro Tip: Look for the right balance to keep them from tearing.
  2. Place the filled tortillas in a baking dish and sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Pro Tip: The sound of sizzling cheese is music to your ears!

Notes

Use warmed tortillas to prevent tearing when filling. Bake until cheese is just bubbly for the best texture. Feel free to modify seasonings based on your family's preferences. Great for busy weeknights: prep it in under 30 minutes! If you're making them for a crowd, double the recipe and prepare extra toppings.