These baked chicken tacos are always my go-to for a quick family dinner. My kids love them, and I love how easy they are to make and how little cleanup there is. Made in less than 30 minutes, the spicy shredded chicken filling bakes up in the crispy taco shells so fast. I developed this recipe in 2015 and it’s been the ultimate recipe for serving a crowd on game day, Cinco de Mayo, or taco night ever since. Over 2400 home cooks have ranked this recipe a 5-star favorite. I’m so proud of this recipe!.
When I developed this recipe in 2015, I had no idea how many times I’d end up making it. We make it time and time again at our house, in about every flavor combination possible. I always end up coming back to this simple chicken filling, and its a favorite of my kid’s as well. This is the most popular recipe on The Cookie Rookie. It has been viewed over 6 million times and pinned over 2 million times. It’s so simple and delicious, I just know you’ll love it!.
Chicken tacos are a fun and versatile option for taco night that goes beyond the usual ground beef The juicy, shredded chicken provides a leaner protein option while absorbing all the delicious Tex-Mex flavors But what exactly should you put in chicken tacos to take them to the next level? With the right combination of toppings and fillings, chicken tacos can become an exciting new favorite for the whole family.
In this article, we’ll explore over 100 mouthwatering ideas for chicken taco toppings. From salsas and sauces to cheeses, veggies, and more – there are endless ways to customize chicken tacos to suit your tastes Read on for the ultimate list of ingredients to create chicken tacos that everyone will rave about
Sizzling Chicken Taco Recipes
Before diving into toppings, you need a tasty chicken taco recipe to start with. Here are some easy, delicious options:
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Authentic Mexican Chicken Tacos: Juicy chicken simmered in a blend of salsa, cumin, and chili powder. Just like street tacos!
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Shredded Chicken Tacos: Quick stovetop chicken poached in flavorful seasonings and salsa.
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Crockpot Chicken Tacos: Only 2 ingredients (chicken and taco seasoning) for effortless shredded chicken.
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Grilled Chicken Tacos: Before grilling, coat the chicken in a smoky dry rub to get nice char marks.
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Baked Chicken Tacos: Let the chicken sit in lime juice, garlic, and spices for a while, then cook it in the oven until it’s crispy.
Once you’ve selected your favorite chicken taco recipe, it’s time to pile on the toppings!
Vegetables & Fruits
Veggies and fruits lend fresh flavors, colors, textures, and nutrients. Some tasty options:
- Diced onions
- Diced tomatoes
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced avocado
- Lime wedges
- Fresh cilantro
- Jalapeño slices
- Radishes
- Jicama
- Purple cabbage
- Carrots
- Zucchini
- Spinach
- Bell peppers
- Corn
- Mushrooms
- Cauliflower
- Cucumber
- Mango
- Pineapple
- Apple
- Peaches
Chicken tacos are filling and tasty, and they’re also good for you because they are made with colorful vegetables. Mix and match based on preferences.
Hearty Beans & Grains
Incorporate protein-rich beans or hearty whole grains to add substance:
- Black beans
- Pinto beans
- Refried beans
- Chickpeas
- Lentils
- Quinoa
- Brown rice
- Cauliflower rice
- Corn
Beans and grains will soak up taco flavors nicely while providing a nutritious base. They also make the tacos more filling.
Ooey, Gooey Cheese
What taco is complete without cheese? Popular melty options include:
- Shredded Mexican blend
- Queso fresco
- Cotija
- Monterey jack
- Pepper jack
- Cheddar
- Feta
- Cream cheese
Put cheese on top of the hot tacos to make them gooey. The creaminess pairs perfectly with the seasoned chicken.
Creamy Toppings
For even more creaminess, dollop on:
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
- Greek yogurt
- Avocado ranch dressing
- Lime crema
- Chipotle mayo
- Aioli
- Hummus
The richness helps balance out any spiciness while adding moisture. Homemade guacamole or crema can take the tacos up another notch.
Tacolicious Salsas & Sauces
No taco is complete without salsa or sauce! Options include:
- Tomato salsa (red or green)
- Pico de gallo
- Avocado salsa
- Mango salsa
- Roasted tomatillo salsa
- Pineapple salsa
- Enchilada sauce
- Hot sauce (Cholula, Tapatio, Valentina, etc.)
- Taco sauce
- Ranch
- Sriracha
- Chimichurri
Salsas and sauces infuse big, bold flavors into the chicken filling. Pick a recipe based on preferred spice level and ingredients.
Savory Seasonings
Season up those tacos with:
- Fajita seasoning
- Taco seasoning
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Smoked paprika
- Lime juice
- Cilantro
- Sesame seeds
- Cotija cheese
- Chile flakes
Spice blends, citrus, fresh herbs, and crunchy seeds all enhance the flavor profile of chicken. Customize to tastes.
Fun Crispy Toppings
For delightful crunch, try:
- Tortilla chips
- Potato chips
- Plantain chips
- Jicama
- Carrots
- Bell peppers
- Radishes
- Cabbage
- Popcorn
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Fried onions
- Tortilla strips
Crisp toppings contrast nicely with the tender chicken filling. Get creative with different crunchy toppers.
Sweet Surprises
Fruit and other sweet ingredients can beautifully balance the savory chicken. Consider:
- Diced mango
- Diced pineapple
- Diced apple
- Diced peach
- Strawberries
- Honey
- Agave nectar
The sweetness plays well against the spicy seasonings. Kids will love the fruity flavors too.
Breakfast Chicken Tacos
For a morning twist, top with:
- Fried egg
- Scrambled egg
- Bacon
- Breakfast potatoes
- Avocado
- Cheese
Eggs, bacon, potatoes, and avocado transform chicken tacos into a satisfying breakfast or brunch.
With an endless array of fillings and toppings to mix and match, the possibilities are truly endless when building creative chicken tacos. Spice it up with jalapeños, keep it classic with tomato salsa, go tropical with mango, or load it up with all the fixings. The options are limitless, so get creative and come up with your own signature chicken taco combinations that will have the whole family looking forward to taco night. ¡Buen provecho!
How to Store and Reheat
I generally recommend storing these baked chicken tacos separately rather than as whole tacos. Store the individual components in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
If you have leftover tacos after baking everything together, wrap individual tacos in aluminum foil, and place them in a resealable bag. Keep in mind that the shells might get soggy if stored this way. To reheat, assemble tacos and bake as instructed in the recipe card, or until the chicken is fully heated through (165°F).
This is one of our family’s favorite meals to make on busy nights, or for a celebration. We hope you love it as much as we do.
“I rarely leave reviews for recipes, but this was SO good and so simple, I had to say thank you! So thanks for the great recipe, it’s going in the regular rotation!” – Christy.
“We’ve made these many times, and people love them! They sell so quickly that I couldn’t even take a picture of them all!” – Melissa
“I use the chicken filling for so many things other than this recipe!! It’s so good for taco salads, quesadillas, soft tacos, the list goes on. I make a double batch and eat the variations throughout the week!” – Catie.
“This is a go-to in our household. It’s so quick, simple, and delicious- and since it’s just my husband and I, we have enough for two days! :)” – Brittany.
What’s in This Baked Chicken Taco Recipe?
- For the taco filling, use fully cooked chicken that has been shred. For something quick and easy, I often use rotisserie chicken.
- Taco Seasoning: This mix of spices (cumin, red pepper flakes, garlic and onion powder, chili powder, and paprika) is great for any taco recipe and makes them taste great.
- Taco Shells: Hard taco shells are best because they get nice and crispy in the oven.
- Cheese: Shredded Mexican blend cheese worked for me, but any blend of melting cheeses will do. Freshly grated cheese gets beautifully melty!.
- Green Chiles: For the chicken mix, use a can of chopped green chilies. It gives things a little heat and tastes great. Just be sure to fully drain them.
- Refried Beans: The creamy texture of refried beans gives the chicken a nice level of flavor and texture. Use about half a can.
- Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes from a can give the mix more texture. Again, make sure to drain these all the way so the chicken taco filling doesn’t have too much liquid.
- Onion: Adds more texture and some aromatics. White, sweet, or red onions all work.
- I do a few things to keep the shells from getting soggy: Pour out all the liquid from the canned foods so there is none left in the filling; Before you put anything inside, bake the shells on their own for about 5 minutes. Put the chicken taco meat on top of the refried beans on the bottom. This helps them hold up better.
- You can keep these warm in the oven while you serve them if you’re making them for a party or a lot of people. We keep them in a baking dish with foil over them and turn the oven down to about 250°F.
Chicken Fajita Tacos
FAQ
What do you have in chicken tacos?
We keep them in a baking dish with foil over them and turn the oven down to about 250°F. Pico de gallo, salsa, crema, or some crushed corn chips would also be delicious. Really anything goes with these tacos.
What goes with a chicken taco?
Serving the One Pan Chicken Tacos I like to serve these with some homemade pico de gallo over the top with a side of sour cream and taco sauce. These are great with some packaged or homemade Spanish rice and re-fried beans!.
What are things you put in tacos?
You can put things like sour cream, salsa, guacamole, tomatoes, cheese, olives, guacamole, and pico de gallo on top of your tacos.
What to put on ground chicken tacos?
The ground chicken is amped up with spices and chipotle in adobe so it’s flavorful and juicy—and topping the tacos with pico de gallo adds another level of deliciousness. Serve them with sour cream, grated cheese, shredded lettuce, and lime wedges so everyone can assemble their perfect taco.
What is a good topping for chicken tacos?
Salsa: Salsa is a delicious tomato-based sauce that is perfect for chicken tacos. It adds a spicy kick and a burst of flavor. 3. Guacamole: Guacamole is a creamy avocado-based sauce that is perfect for chicken tacos. It adds a rich and creamy texture and a burst of flavor. 4. Cheese: Cheese is a popular topping for chicken tacos.
What to add to chicken tacos?
Chicken tacos are a classic favorite. They’re easy to make and can be customized with a variety of toppings. Here are some ideas for tasty vegetables that you can put on top of your chicken tacos: 1. Onions: Onions are a classic topping for tacos. They can be grilled or sautéed and added to the top of your tacos. 2.
What meat should I put on chicken tacos?
Some of the best meats to put on chicken tacos include: 1. Grilled Chicken: Grilled chicken is a classic choice for chicken tacos. It is juicy and flavorful, and pairs well with salsa and other toppings. 2. Pulled Pork: Pulled pork is another popular choice for chicken tacos.
What cheese goes with chicken tacos?
Cotija Cheese: Mexican cheese that offers a deep tang of flavor that is delicious on top of chicken tacos. Pepperjack: a slightly spicy cheese made with peppers that creates the perfect mix of flavor. Queso: pour warm queso over tacos for a positively cheesy taco taste. Feta: a classic Greek topping that you will love on tacos.
What sauce do you put on chicken tacos?
However, some common sauces that are popular for chicken tacos include salsa verde, sour cream, guacamole, and chipotle aioli. These sauces add flavor, moisture, and texture to the tacos, making them more delicious. Some people also like to add hot sauce to their chicken tacos, such as habanero or jalapeño sauce, for an extra kick.
What foods are good for tacos?
Zucchini: healthy, filling, and delicious on tacos. Broccoli: crunchy, leafy, and full of the feel-good taste you want in a meal. Lentils: rich in essential vitamins and minerals to provide substantial nutrition. Season well for tasty tacos. Squash: a refreshing and light vegetable that absorbs flavor and enhances chicken.