Description
Mexican-inspired Oven-Baked Chicken Tacos combine crispy shells with juicy seasoned chicken and melted cheese. Delicious comfort finds its perfect balance, inviting you to savor each bite of this crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ lb (227 g) chicken thighs, skinless and boneless
- ½ lb (227 g) chicken breast, skinless and boneless
- 3 tbsps taco seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 bell pepper, cut into small strips
- ½ white onion, diced (about ½ cup)
- 3 tbsps olive oil
- 1 lime, juiced
- 16 corn tortillas (6 inch)
- 1 cup Mexican cheese
- Cooking spray or oil
Instructions
- Preheat Preparation: Set oven to 400°F (204°C), ensuring rack is centered for uniform heating.
- Protein Preparation: Dice chicken thighs and breast into consistent, bite-sized cubes to guarantee even cooking.
- Skillet Searing: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium flame, sautéing chicken until completely opaque and white.
- Vegetable Integration: Incorporate diced bell peppers and onions into the skillet, cooking until vegetables soften and become slightly translucent.
- Seasoning Infusion: Reduce heat to medium-low, sprinkle taco seasoning across the mixture, and drizzle fresh lime juice, thoroughly tossing to distribute flavors evenly.
- Taco Assembly: Lightly spray baking sheet, arrange tortillas, layer with cheese, spoon seasoned chicken-vegetable mixture, and top with additional cheese.
- Folding Technique: Carefully fold tortillas into half-moon shapes, pressing edges to seal filling inside.
- Baking Process: Place second baking sheet atop folded tacos, bake 10-12 minutes until tortillas transform into crispy, golden-brown shells.
- Serving Finale: Remove top baking sheet, transfer tacos to serving plate, and repeat process with remaining ingredients.
Notes
- Slice Evenly: Cut chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure consistent cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
- Sauté Technique: Cook vegetables briefly to maintain crispness and prevent soggy taco fillings while developing deep flavor profiles.
- Cheese Distribution: Place cheese on both sides of the filling to create a melty, gooey interior that enhances overall taco texture and taste.
- Pressing Method: Using a second baking sheet helps seal tacos, prevents filling from spilling, and creates a crispy, uniform exterior during baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg