Craving the vibrant flavors of Applebee’s iconic Chicken Wonton Tacos? Now you can effortlessly recreate this beloved restaurant appetizer right in your own kitchen! Our perfected copycat recipe requires just 7 simple ingredients and comes together in a mere 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for a quick weeknight meal, a delightful party appetizer, or a fun addition to any gathering. These delectable tacos feature perfectly baked, crispy wonton shells, generously filled with savory sweet chili chicken and a refreshing, tangy coleslaw. The result is an irresistible fusion of sweet, spicy, and crunchy textures that will have everyone asking for more.
Why You’ll Adore This Applebee’s Copycat Recipe
There’s something incredibly satisfying about transforming a restaurant favorite into a homemade masterpiece. Not only does it allow you to enjoy those cherished flavors anytime, but it also gives you the creative freedom to adapt the dish, perhaps making it a little lighter or tailoring it to your specific tastes, without sacrificing an ounce of deliciousness. Our Chicken Wonton Taco recipe is a prime example of this culinary magic!
A key innovation in this copycat recipe is our method for preparing the wonton shells. Instead of deep-frying, which can be messy and add extra calories, we opt for baking. This not only lightens up the dish significantly but also simplifies the cooking process, resulting in perfectly crispy shells with minimal fuss and cleanup. After extensive testing with various techniques – from baking in the oven and air fryer to shaping them on muffin tins and baking dish edges – we discovered the ultimate secret:
The trick lies in folding the wonton wrappers over a wire rack, propped up by two oven-safe bowls on a baking sheet. This ingenious setup allows for superior air circulation, ensuring that every wonton shell bakes evenly to a uniform crispness on all sides. It’s a game-changer that lets you bake all your shells simultaneously, making the process incredibly efficient and enjoyable. This flawless method for homemade wonton taco shells is just one of the many reasons why this recipe is destined to become a new favorite. Here are a few more compelling reasons:
- Effortless with Just 7 Ingredients: Despite the seemingly complex layers of shells, sauces, and fillings, we’ve streamlined this recipe to use only seven core ingredients. This simplicity ensures that you can achieve the authentic taste of Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos without an overwhelming shopping list or complicated prep work. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in delivering that signature sweet and savory balance.
- Ready in a Flash – Just 30 Minutes: Time is often a luxury in our busy lives, and this recipe respects that. By strategically preparing the coleslaw and wonton shells while the chicken marinates, you can move seamlessly through the steps and have these delightful tacos on your table, from start to finish, in just 30 minutes. It’s perfect for a quick dinner or when unexpected guests arrive!
- A Symphony of Textures: Prepare your palate for an exciting textural journey with every bite. The star is undoubtedly the exquisitely crispy baked wonton taco shell, providing a satisfying crunch. This perfectly complements the tender, flavorful sweet chili chicken and the crisp, refreshing coleslaw. This delightful interplay of textures elevates the dish, making each bite a truly memorable experience.
Key Ingredients for Your Chicken Wonton Tacos
Crafting the perfect copycat dish begins with understanding and selecting the right ingredients. Here, we delve into each essential component of our Chicken Wonton Taco recipe, explaining its role and offering practical substitution options to suit your preferences and what you have on hand. For precise measurements, please refer to the detailed recipe card at the conclusion of this article.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs: The choice between chicken breasts and thighs offers flexibility. For a leaner profile and quicker cooking, boneless, skinless chicken breasts are an excellent option. If you prefer a richer, slightly more succulent flavor and texture, boneless, skinless chicken thighs will deliver beautifully. Regardless of your choice, ensure they are boneless and skinless for ease of dicing into uniform half-inch pieces, which allows for even marination and cooking.
- Sweet Chili Sauce: This is the cornerstone of the signature Applebee’s flavor. This versatile Asian-style chili sauce beautifully balances a mild heat from red chili peppers with a delightful sweetness from sugar. It serves a dual purpose in our recipe: first, as a foundational component of the chicken marinade, infusing the meat with complex flavors, and second, as an additional drizzle over the assembled tacos, enhancing their visual appeal and taste. Look for it in the international aisle of your grocery store.
- Soy Sauce: A fundamental pantry staple, soy sauce adds essential umami depth and a touch of savory saltiness to our sweet chili marinade. It complements the sweet chili sauce perfectly, creating a balanced flavor profile that penetrates the chicken as it marinates. Opt for a low-sodium variety if you’re mindful of salt intake.
- Coleslaw Mix and Coleslaw Dressing: To maintain the “easy” aspect of this 30-minute recipe, we recommend using pre-packaged coleslaw mix (typically shredded cabbage and carrots) and a store-bought creamy coleslaw dressing. This saves valuable time on chopping and preparing a dressing from scratch. However, if you’re a fan of homemade and prefer to customize your slaw, feel free to use your favorite homemade coleslaw and dressing recipe, or follow the link provided in the original content for a guide.
- Fresh Cilantro: This herb is what truly distinguishes Applebee’s coleslaw, lending a distinctive fresh, herbaceous note. Incorporating fresh cilantro into your coleslaw mix replicates this unique element perfectly. Beyond its role in the coleslaw, a final sprinkle of freshly chopped cilantro serves as a vibrant and aromatic garnish, adding a burst of color and flavor to the finished tacos.
- Wonton Wrappers: The foundation of our crispy shells! These thin, square dough wrappers are typically found in the refrigerated produce section of most major grocery stores, often near tofu or other Asian-inspired ingredients. Square wrappers are ideal for this recipe, as they can be easily folded into the classic triangle shape required for baking our taco shells. Ensure you get fresh, pliable wrappers for the best results.
Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Perfect Chicken Wonton Tacos
Making these Applebee’s copycat Chicken Wonton Tacos at home is an incredibly rewarding experience. To ensure your culinary journey is smooth and successful, we’ve broken down each step with detailed explanations and helpful tips. For a complete list of ingredients and their exact quantities, please refer to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
- Marinate the Chicken for Flavor Infusion: Begin by dicing your boneless, skinless chicken (breasts or thighs) into small, roughly half-inch pieces. Transfer these pieces to a large mixing bowl. Add the sweet chili sauce and soy sauce, then toss everything thoroughly until every piece of chicken is completely coated in the aromatic marinade. This step is crucial for infusing the chicken with the signature sweet and savory flavors. For optimal results, place the chicken mixture in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 20 minutes. If you have more time, you can cover and marinate it for up to 8 hours, allowing the flavors to deepen even further.
- Prepare the Refreshing Coleslaw: While your chicken is marinating, turn your attention to the coleslaw. In a separate bowl, combine your store-bought coleslaw mix with the freshly chopped cilantro and the creamy coleslaw dressing. Stir well to ensure all the ingredients are evenly distributed and coated. Once mixed, transfer the coleslaw to the refrigerator. Chilling the coleslaw allows the flavors to meld beautifully and ensures it’s perfectly cool and crisp when it’s time to assemble your tacos.
- Set Up for Perfect Wonton Taco Shells: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This next step is the key to creating perfectly shaped and crispy wonton shells. Gather the largest wire rack you have available; ideally, one with parallel rows rather than a square grate, as this provides better support for the wrappers. Place two oven-safe bowls (ensure they are sturdy and can withstand oven heat) upside down on a large baking sheet. Position the wire rack on top of these bowls. The goal is to ensure the bowls are tall enough that the wonton wrappers, when draped, hang freely without touching the baking sheet below. This prevents the bottoms from burning and allows for even baking.
- Bake the Crispy Wonton Shells: Lightly spray both sides of each individual wonton wrapper with cooking spray. This not only helps prevent the wrappers from sticking to the wire rack but also aids in achieving that desirable golden-brown, crispy exterior. Carefully drape each prepared wonton wrapper over the rows of your wire rack, creating a taco-shell shape. Place the baking sheet with the draped wontons into your preheated oven on the middle rack (or a slightly lower rack if your oven heats intensely from the top). Bake for 8-10 minutes. It’s crucial to monitor the wonton taco shells closely during the last two minutes of baking, as they can quickly go from perfectly golden to burnt. You want them to be beautifully golden brown and delightfully crispy.
Pro Tip: Make Ahead! You can easily prepare these crispy wonton shells in advance. Once baked and cooled, store them in an airtight container (a gallon zipper bag works perfectly) at room temperature for up to 5 days, maintaining their crispness.
- Cook the Flavorful Chicken: Heat a large skillet on your stovetop over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot, carefully add the marinated chicken and any remaining marinade. Cook the chicken for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly on all sides, becoming tender and beautifully caramelized, absorbing all the rich flavors of the sweet chili and soy sauce. Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
- Assemble Your Irresistible Tacos: Once all components are ready, it’s time for the grand finale – assembly! Carefully remove the crispy wonton shells from the baking rack and arrange them on a serving plate. Using tongs, place a generous portion of the cooked sweet chili chicken into the bottom of each wonton taco shell. Next, use a small spoon to dollop the fresh, chilled coleslaw over the chicken. For an extra layer of flavor and a touch of visual appeal, drizzle a little more sweet chili sauce over the top of the coleslaw. Finish by garnishing with additional fresh chopped cilantro. Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful harmony of flavors and textures!
Storage and Reheating Tips for Freshness
To ensure the best possible experience, we highly recommend assembling only as many chicken wonton tacos as you plan to consume in one sitting. Once assembled, the crispy wonton shells will inevitably begin to soften from the moisture of the fillings, and they do not reheat well in this state.
However, the beauty of this recipe lies in its components! You can easily store each element separately, allowing you to create fresh, perfectly textured tacos with leftovers anytime within the next 4-5 days. Store the cooked sweet chili chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready for more tacos, simply reheat the chicken in a skillet on the stove for 4-5 minutes until warmed through, ensuring it retains its tenderness and flavor.
Keep the prepared coleslaw covered in a separate airtight container in the fridge to maintain its crispness and fresh taste. As for the baked wonton shells, store them at room temperature in an airtight container. This method prevents them from becoming soggy and keeps them perfectly crisp until you’re ready to fill and serve.
Explore More Delicious Copycat Recipes
If the idea of bringing your favorite restaurant dishes to your home kitchen, often for a fraction of the cost, excites you, then you’re in for a treat! Discover a world of flavor with these other fantastic and easy copycat recipes that let you enjoy gourmet tastes without the premium price tag.
Chicken Wonton Tacos Recipe
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Recreate Applebee’s famous Chicken Wonton Tacos at home with this easy 7-ingredient copycat recipe. Delicious, quick, and perfect for any occasion!
Quick Facts:
- Servings: 18 wonton tacos
- Prep Time: 22 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Author: Whitney Bond
- Course: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Thai-inspired
Ingredients:
- 1 pound chicken breast, finely diced (about ½ inch cubes)
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce, plus more for topping
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 3 cups coleslaw mix
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped, plus more to garnish
- ¼ cup coleslaw dressing
- 18 wonton wrappers
Instructions:
- Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, toss the diced chicken with ¼ cup sweet chili sauce and soy sauce until fully coated. Refrigerate to marinate for 20 minutes, or up to 8 hours for deeper flavor.
- Prepare the coleslaw: While the chicken marinates, combine the coleslaw mix with ¼ cup chopped cilantro and coleslaw dressing in a separate bowl. Stir well and refrigerate to chill.
- Prepare the wonton shells: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray both sides of each wonton wrapper with cooking spray. Drape them over a wire rack supported by two oven-safe bowls on a baking sheet to create a taco shape. Bake for 8-10 minutes on the middle rack until golden brown and crispy. Watch carefully during the last 2 minutes to prevent burning.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked through and lightly browned.
- Assemble the tacos: Fill each crispy wonton shell with cooked chicken, top with chilled coleslaw, and garnish with an extra drizzle of sweet chili sauce and fresh chopped cilantro. Serve immediately.
Notes:
- For meal prep, make the wonton shells ahead of time and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Store cooked chicken and coleslaw separately in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Reheat chicken gently before assembling.
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
- Calories: 75 kcal (4%)
- Carbohydrates: 8g (3%)
- Protein: 6g (12%)
- Fat: 2g (3%)
- Saturated Fat: 0.4g (2%)
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 18mg (6%)
- Sodium: 195mg (8%)
- Potassium: 124mg (4%)
- Fiber: 0.5g (2%)
- Sugar: 3g (3%)
- Vitamin A: 37mg (1%)
- Vitamin C: 5mg (6%)
- Calcium: 10mg (1%)
- Iron: 0.4mg (2%)
Did you make this recipe? Tag @WhitneyBond on Instagram and hashtag it #WBRecipes!