These Savory Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos are a delightful blend of crispy wonton shells, succulent chicken, and a medley of fresh, vibrant toppings. They offer an explosion of textures and flavors in every single bite, making them a perfect appetizer or a satisfying light meal.
These savory tacos are a fun twist on a classic, perfect for a party or a casual weeknight dinner!
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Savory, slightly sweet, with a hint of spice from the sriracha mayo, complemented by fresh, crisp vegetables.
- Texture: Crispy, crunchy wonton shells paired with tender chicken and cool, refreshing toppings.
- Total Time: Approximately 45 minutes, with about 20 minutes of active preparation.
- Difficulty: Easy, with simple steps that are perfect for cooks of all levels.
What You’ll Need
To create these irresistible chicken wonton tacos, you’ll need the key components: crispy wonton wrappers, flavorful chicken, a zesty sauce, and a selection of fresh toppings to bring it all together.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work perfectly in this recipe, and you can easily substitute chicken thighs if you prefer.
- Wonton wrappers – These crispy wrappers are the foundation of these amazing tacos. Be sure to get the ones specifically made for frying, not the ones for soup.
- Soy sauce – This provides that essential umami flavor in the chicken marinade.
- Sriracha – Adds a touch of heat to the mayo, adjusting the amount to your taste.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the chicken marinade or a dash of hot sauce to the sriracha mayo for extra heat.
- Add some crunch: Crushed peanuts or sesame seeds sprinkled on top add a delightful crunch.
- Use a different protein: You can easily substitute cooked shrimp or tofu for the chicken.
How to Make Savory Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos
These tacos are a breeze to make, offering an exciting fusion of flavors and textures in every single bite.
- Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes.
- Marinate the chicken: In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, salt, pepper, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Add the cubed chicken and toss to coat. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and slightly caramelized, about 8-10 minutes.
- Prepare the wonton shells: While the chicken is cooking, prepare the wonton shells. Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet or deep pot over medium-high heat. Carefully place a few wonton wrappers into the hot oil. Fry for about 1-2 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Pro Tip: Be sure you don’t overcrowd your skillet while frying the wontons. Work in batches to prevent the oil temperature from dropping and ensure they get nice and crispy. - Make the sriracha mayo: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and sriracha. Set aside.
- Assemble the tacos: Fill each crispy wonton shell with the cooked chicken. Top with a drizzle of sriracha mayo, chopped green onions, cilantro, shredded carrots, and shredded purple cabbage. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t overcook the chicken. The chicken continues to cook slightly after you’ve removed it from the skillet.
- Ensure the oil is hot enough. The oil should be hot enough so that the wontons cook quickly and turn golden brown and crispy in just a few minutes.
- Fry the wontons in batches. This will better maintain the oil temperature and allow for more even cooking.
- Prep the toppings ahead. Chop your green onions, cilantro, and shred the carrots / cabbage before you start cooking for quicker assembly.
FAQs
- Can I make these tacos gluten-free? Absolutely! Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari for the marinade and ensure your wonton wrappers are certified gluten-free.
- Can I use pre-cooked chicken? Yes, you can. Shred or dice the cooked chicken and simply toss with the marinade ingredients before assembling the tacos.
- How do I store leftovers? Store any leftover chicken and toppings separately in the refrigerator. Reheat the chicken in a skillet, and assemble the tacos just before serving to maintain the crispy texture of the wonton shells.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these tacos as an appetizer, a party snack, or a fun weeknight meal! Pair them with:
- A fresh, crisp salad with a light vinaigrette.
- Steamed rice or a side of edamame.
- A cold beer or your favorite beverage to make it even more enjoyable.
Make This Recipe in Advance
You can make each component of these tacos ahead of time to save time:
- Chicken: Marinate the chicken and cook it up to 2 days in advance. Store cooked chicken, tightly covered, in the fridge.
- Sriracha Mayo: Whisk together the sriracha mayo and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Toppings: Chop the green onions, cilantro, shred the carrots, and cabbage in advance. Store these separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
- Fry the Wonton Shells: Fry the wonton shells – let them cool to room temperature, and store them at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Savory Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Varies
Description
These Savory Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos are a delightful blend of crispy wonton shells, succulent chicken, and a medley of fresh, vibrant toppings. They offer an explosion of textures and flavors in every single bite, making them a perfect appetizer or a satisfying light meal.
Ingredients
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 package (10 ounces) wonton wrappers
Vegetable oil, for frying
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon sriracha
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup shredded purple cabbage
Instructions
Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, salt, pepper, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Add the cubed chicken and toss to coat. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and slightly caramelized, about 8-10 minutes.
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the wonton shells. Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet or deep pot over medium-high heat. Carefully place a few wonton wrappers into the hot oil. Fry for about 1-2 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Be sure you don’t overcrowd your skillet while frying the wontons. Work in batches to prevent the oil temperature from dropping and ensure they get nice and crispy.
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and sriracha. Set aside.
Fill each crispy wonton shell with the cooked chicken. Top with a drizzle of sriracha mayo, chopped green onions, cilantro, shredded carrots, and shredded purple cabbage. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
Don’t overcook the chicken. The chicken continues to cook slightly after you’ve removed it from the skillet.
Ensure the oil is hot enough. The oil should be hot enough so that the wontons cook quickly and turn golden brown and crispy in just a few minutes.
Fry the wontons in batches. This will better maintain the oil temperature and allow for more even cooking.
Prep the toppings ahead. Chop your green onions, cilantro, and shred the carrots / cabbage before you start cooking for quicker assembly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Asian-American
