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Homemade Baked Chicken Tacos Recipe photo

Baked Chicken Tacos Recipe

Crispy baked taco shells filled with seasoned shredded chicken, refried beans, melted cheese, and your favorite toppings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 pound shredded cooked chicken (such as rotisserie)
  • 1 ounce taco seasoning (or about 2 tablespoons if using a jarred mix)
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, fully drained (1 can)
  • 4.5 ounces diced green chiles, fully drained (1 can)
  • 10 hard taco shells (stand 'n stuff style)
  • 8 ounces refried beans (about 1/2 can)
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
  • sliced jalapeños optional topping
  • sour cream for serving
  • salsa for serving
  • shredded lettuce for serving
  • chopped fresh cilantro for serving

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch Baking Dish
  • nonstick spray
  • Medium Skillet
  • Spatula or wooden spoon
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Can opener

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray and stand the 10 hard taco shells upright in the dish so they fit snugly.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.
  3. Add 1/2 cup diced onion to the skillet and cook 2–3 minutes, until translucent and fragrant.
  4. Stir in 1/2 pound shredded cooked chicken, 1 ounce taco seasoning, 14.5 ounces fully drained diced tomatoes, and 4.5 ounces fully drained diced green chiles. Reduce heat to low and simmer 5–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through and combined.
  5. Place the baking dish with the taco shells in the oven and bake the empty shells 5 minutes to crisp them. Remove the dish from the oven.
  6. Spoon about 1 tablespoon refried beans into the bottom of each shell, then fill each shell with the chicken mixture, packing it almost to the top.
  7. Sprinkle each filled shell generously with shredded Mexican blend cheese.
  8. Bake the assembled tacos 7–10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the shell edges are lightly browned.
  9. Remove from the oven and top with sliced jalapeños, sour cream, shredded lettuce, chopped cilantro, and salsa as desired.

Notes

  • The recipe is moderately spicy from the seasoning and chiles.
  • Omit jalapeños to make it milder.
  • Green chiles vary in heat, so taste before adding if sensitive to spice.
  • Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut.
  • Drain canned tomatoes and chiles thoroughly to avoid soggy shells.