This mouthwatering Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and uses the oven for a quick and easy weeknight meal that your family will love! Switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends! Seriously, it’s the kind of dish that makes busy nights a breeze.
Ingredients Breakdown
Chicken Breasts
You’ll need 2 chicken breasts, finely diced. Chicken is the star of the show here, giving you that tender, juicy goodness. I recommend using boneless, skinless breasts because they cook quickly and are easy to work with, just make sure to cut them into uniform pieces for even cooking! If you’re in a pinch, you can also use rotisserie chicken; it shreds beautifully and saves you time.
Hoisin Sauce
2 tbsp hoisin sauce adds a touch of sweetness and a hint of umami. It’s thick and rich, perfect for glazing your chicken. You can substitute with teriyaki sauce if you don’t have hoisin, but oh man, the flavor won’t be quite as robust.
Sesame Oil
1 tbsp sesame oil gives your chicken that authentic Asian flavor. It’s aromatic and adds depth that’s hard to beat! If you need a substitute, you can use olive oil, but let me tell you, the nutty flavor of sesame oil is so worth it.
Soy Sauce
We’ll use 1 tbsp soy sauce to add a salty kick. I prefer low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness, especially when paired with hoisin. Feel free to swap it with coconut aminos for a gluten-free version!
Garlic and Ginger
2 cloves of garlic, minced, and 1 tsp minced fresh ginger brighten up the dish with their fantastic aromas! They work wonders together to create a fragrant base for your chicken. Fresh is best, but you can use jarred ginger and garlic in a pinch.
Coleslaw Mix
1 bag coleslaw mix is an easy way to add crunch and freshness. You can totally customize it with shredded carrots and purple cabbage for color! If you’re feeling adventurous, swap in arugula or spinach for a different twist.
Green Onions
You’ll need 4 green onions, thinly sliced. They add a mild onion flavor and a pop of color. If you don’t have them on hand, chives can be a fine substitute!
Sesame Oil for Slaw
Another tablespoon of sesame oil here coats the slaw in flavor. If you’re not feeling it, just stick with regular olive oil, but trust me, the extra sesame flavor is a game changer!
Rice Vinegar
Adding 1 tbsp rice vinegar gives everything a nice tang. It balances out the richness beautifully. You can use apple cider vinegar as a substitute, but the flavor won’t be exactly the same.
Honey
We’ll mix in 1 tbsp honey to add a sweet dimension to the slaw. If you’re vegan, feel free to swap it with maple syrup!
Wonton Wrappers
Grab 16 wonton wrappers to create those delightful taco shells. They bake up crispy and are the perfect holder for our tasty filling. If you can’t find wonton wrappers, use tortilla chips for a new twist!
Sweet Chili Sauce
Oh, and don’t forget the sweet chili sauce for dipping, it’s a must for that sweet and spicy kick!
Cilantro and Sesame Seeds
Finally, chopped cilantro and sesame seeds are for garnish. They not only look pretty but up the flavor game too!
Let’s Get Cooking!
How to Make Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) Get your oven going, and while it heats up, you can prepare the wonton taco shells. It’s a great time-saver!
Spray the muffin tin with cooking spray. This is essential. Think of it as giving your taco shells a little love so they don’t stick!
Drape the wonton wrappers over the inverted muffin cups. Go ahead and arrange them so they form taco shapes. They’re going to bake for about 5-7 minutes until they’re crisp and golden. You want them to be golden, not burned and y’all, they smell amazing while they cook!
Heat the sesame oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. The aroma will fill your kitchen in no time, seriously, it’s heavenly!
Add the diced chicken to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until no longer pink. Stir frequently to ensure even cooking. You’ll want to add a couple pinches of salt and pepper to taste!
Stir in hoisin sauce, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. This is when things get exciting, oh, let it all soak in! Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the chicken is well coated and glazed.
In a separate bowl, mix the coleslaw, green onions, sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and honey until everything is combined and coated. The colors will pop! It’s like a little rainbow in your bowl!
Fill the wonton shells with the sautéed chicken mixture, then top each with a generous spoonful of the slaw. Drizzle with sweet chili sauce, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and garnish with chopped cilantro.
Serve immediately! For the best crunch, enjoy these right away, but I doubt they’ll last long!
Why I Love This Recipe
I can’t tell you enough how much I adore this Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos recipe. It’s my go-to recipe for busy weeknights when I want something quick, delicious, and packed with flavor. And I’m a real sucker for that dynamic crunch you get from the wonton wrappers! It’s truly comfort food for me, bringing plenty of smiles around the dinner table.
I love that it’s customizable too. If my kids are not feeling coleslaw, I just toss in some peppers or whatever veggies we have lying around. The best part is, even my picky eaters will dig in, asking for seconds or even thirds!
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Smash Burger Tacos, my Easy Low FODMAP Tacos, or my Pepperoni Pizza Tacos!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This recipe comes together all in one pot (well, minus the baking tray, but you get my point!), making it so easy that there’s hardly any cleanup afterward. Plus, you can whip it up in under 30 minutes. That’s what I call a win!
Customizable
Feeling adventurous? Switch up the fillings! Add some sautéed peppers or maybe a bit of diced pineapple. The sky’s the limit here. You can use whatever ingredients you have on hand and make it personal to your family’s taste.
Crowd-Pleaser
Look, everyone loves tacos, right? These little beauties are packed with tons of flavor, and they look soooo fancy! Your family will think you’ve been slaving away in the kitchen, but in reality, you’ve just been a savvy cook!
Make-Ahead Friendly
You can prepare your chicken and slaw earlier in the day, keep them in the fridge, and then just assemble the tacos right before dinner. Talk about stress-free meal planning!
Budget-Friendly
Using basic ingredients like chicken, cabbage, and wonton wrappers, means this dish is super kind to your wallet, making it perfect for family dinners without breaking the bank.
Serving and Storage Tips
What to Serve With This
These tacos shine on their own, but to round out the meal, pair them with some steamed broccoli or a light soup for balance. If you’re feeling indulgent, toss in some loaded nachos as a side.
Storage
Leftover chicken and slaw can be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, simply warm the chicken in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. The slaw should be fresh and crunchy, so I suggest leaving that out of the reheating process. And as for the wonton shells? Yeah, they’re best crispy fresh, so I wouldn’t recommend reheating them.
Freezer Friendly
While you can freeze the filling, I don’t recommend freezing the wonton shells as they’ll lose their delightful crispness. But if you have extra chicken and slaw, freeze those for later meals!
And there you have it your new favorite go-to recipe! Perfect for a weeknight dinner, easy to make, and loaded with flavor. You’ll want to make these Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos over and over again. Happy cooking! For more Recipe Follow us in Pinterest.
Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spray the muffin tin with cooking spray.
- Drape the wonton wrappers over the inverted muffin cups.
- Heat sesame oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the diced chicken to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until no longer pink.
- Stir in hoisin sauce, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the chicken is well coated and glazed.
- In a separate bowl, mix coleslaw, green onions, sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and honey until combined.
- Fill the wonton shells with the sautéed chicken mixture, then top with the slaw.
- Drizzle with sweet chili sauce, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and garnish with chopped cilantro.
- Serve immediately for the best crunch.