Super easy restaurant-style Chicken Tacos . Easy ingredients including shredded chicken, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, & corn tortillas.
Chicken Tacos have become one of our go-to Mexican recipes. Served with Mexican Rice and Salsa, this simple recipe is loved by all and can be customized by toppings and your chicken mixture.
restaurant-style Chicken Tacos
One of the main dishes we have at all of our Mexican family get-togethers is Fried Chicken Tacos. Each of us make it a little differently, but it’s something we always have and expect when we are having Mexican food at a Luna event, along with our famous empanadas and enchiladas.
These tacos are easy and yummy! What’s best is I like to cook all my chicken in advance and divide it and put it into freezer bags, so I can just pull out a bag in the morning, let it thaw through out the day and have it ready to cook in time for dinner.
It also helps that they are loved by the whole fam and taste just like the Chicken Tacos found at your local Mexican Restaurants – crunchy and delicious!
How to make chicken tacos
Making these tacos is beyond easy. There are different ways to make the chicken mixture, but we like to include the following in it:
- Shredded chicken
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- Mexican Style Cheese
- Diced Green chiles (optional)
My mom uses just chicken, salt, pepper and oregano in hers. The chicken filling has so many variations, so use the ingredients and spices you like most.
To make the tacos, begin by prepping your chicken so it’s exactly what you want in it. I usually cook up a bunch at once by throwing it in the crockpot on LOW for most the day. Once it’s done and all the way cooked through then take out of crockpot, shred and add the spices, cheese and chiles.
Add vegetable oil to your pan and turn to LOW/MEDIUM heat. Add some chicken to the middle of your corn tortilla. Then grab with your tongs. I like to rock mine back and forth when the oil is ready until I can lay the taco down without opening up.
FLASH FRY? If your corn tortillas are cracking easily, you can flash fry them in the oil for a second or two on each side, then fill and re-fry. We like to use the Kroger brand of corn tortillas which don’t crack easily and don’t require flash frying first.
Take out taco when both sides are cooked and lay on a plate with paper towel on it to help drain the oil.
Add any toppings such as shredded lettuce and tomatoes and/or extra cheese.
Taco Variations:
Can you make soft tacos? Of course you can. If you are wanting to make tacos with this same chicken mixture, we recommend heating up the chicken, salt and pepper and green chiles in the microwave and then adding the cheese before adding to a soft flour tortilla.
Can you roll tacos? Yes, you can roll these instead of making them in a taco shape. When they are rolled, we call them flautas. They taste great and are also perfect for serving as an appetizer at parties.
Other flavors: You can also change up the flavor of these tacos, by adding different spices and cheeses. My mom likes to make them with just shredded chicken, salt, pepper, oregano and cheese.
Storing & Serving
How to store leftover tacos? We don’t think fried food reheats as well as when it’s fresh, but having said that, if we have leftover tacos, we place them on a plate covered with Saran wrap and reheat them in the oven on low or using the microwave.
what to serve with chicken tacos? We have so many favorite recipes that we like to serve with this shredded chicken taco recipe, but here are some of our favorites:
These tacos are SO stinking good!! We add shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes too along with salsa to make these a hit at dinner.
I know you can buy pre-made shells at the store, and that things are less healthy when they are fried, but these tacos are so good and will be a hit at your next Mexican Meal. 🙂
For more Mexican recipes, check out:
- Restaurant Style Red Cheese Enchiladas
- Green Chile Burros
- Chicken Chimichangas
- Green Chile Enchiladas
- Taco Pie
Chicken Taco Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 corn tortillas
- 2 cups chicken shredded
- 1 4 oz. can green chiles
- 1 cup Mexican cheese
- salt and pepper
- vegetable oil
Instructions
- Prep chicken by adding shredded chicken, green chiles, cheese, salt and pepper to a bowl - and mix.
- Add vegetable oil to your pan and turn to LOW/MEDIUM heat. Add some chicken to the middle of your corn tortilla. Then grab with your tongs. Rock back and forth when the oil is ready until the taco can lay down without opening up.
- Take out taco when both sides are cooked and lay on a plate with paper towel on it to help drain the oil.
- Add any toppings such as shredded lettuce and tomatoes and/or extra cheese.
Video
Notes
So yummy looking!!! I’ll have to try this! My oldest is 4 and loves ketchup on anything. I am equally as weird because I love PEAS on my tacos!!! I make chorizo tacos and I LOVE them with peas! haha!!
Thanks for the recipe!
XOXO, Mallory @ Classy Clutter
Those look great!
MM the chicken tacos look delicious. And I love how tacos can meet so many peoples dinner requirements by adding a little of this for me and a little of that for you! You like ketchup- I like sour cream!
These look delicious. When you cook your chicken in the crock-pot do you add any specific seasonings? I laughed when you said your family will put Ketchup on their tacos. My family likes to do that too, but, I only let them put it on a specialty taco I call Cheeseburger tacos. Other wise, I think, It is just wrong and gross! 😉
I do not put any seasonings on when the chicken is cooking, but my mom drizzles on some olive oil and a little garlic pepper. She also puts in crushed Oregano instead of the diced green chiles that I use. 🙂
The enchiladas look so delicious!! I would love for you to come link up to my party and follow along. http://alivedinhome.blogspot.com/2013/04/get-social-sunday.html
HappyMonday!
All nice recipes. Thanks so much.
I don’t understand. When you put the tortilla in the oil, doesn’t the chicken get all oily?
It does get a little oily, but that’s what makes these so good. I do let the oil drip out and also place them on a plate with a paper towel to let drain when done. 😉
Thank you for clearing this up.
No problem. 🙂
that is why in Mexico, these tacos are rolled and not folded. Furthermore, in mexico we add sour cream, cheese and green sauce on the top, we also add tomato, lettuce and avocado.
TACOS ARE NEXT. I KNOW THEY WILL BE GREAT.
DO YOU HAVE A BEEF TACO RECIPE.WOULD LOVE IT.
I MADE THE RED ENCHILADAS…THEY WERE WONGERFUL.
THANK YOU FOR GREAT RECIPES.
You can use a good grade of ground beef or chuck roast (cooked in crock pot) and shred it like you would the chicken or pork. I use Pork Butt (in crock pot), that is all to it. Hope this answers your question.. GOD BLESS
Marie Czarnecki and her furry SHELTIE’S
This is the way Mama made beef tacos when we were kids, they were the best ever! Your recipe brought back fond memories, I’ve never tried fixing them, but I will now, thanks.
Oh, thank you!! I’m glad this recipe could bring back good memories!!
I love all of your recipes, they look delish, and will make all of them and thinking they are inexpensive. I always use chicken, good grade of ground beef, and for pork I buy a pork butt and shred.. Thank you so much for you passing on “GREAT STUFF”…
Marie and her furry four legged SHELTIES.. 🙂
Thank you Marie!! I like to share when I try and find new recipes 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hi Love your recipes. There awesome and I so want to get really good at making Mexican Food. I have learned to make and Can Green Sausa Verda so as to have it year round. I so want to learn to make Fajata’s and Burritoes. Thank You for your Lovely Recipes. Please Keep them Coming.
Thank you so much!! That’s great that you can salsa verde. I love that stuff. I hope you find some recipes to try & like.
These tacos were so easy and tasted great. I was a little afraid of frying the shells, but that turned out to be simple and to be honest, that’s what put this dish over the top.
Yay! I am so glad you liked them 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
Can you please make a video foe these chicken tacos. They look so good and i loVe resta chicken tacos but im doing something wrong. I think its my frying technique. The first one fell apart and the next one was Super greasy and heavY. Please!
I am sorry they weren’t working out. I’m not sure what you are doing, but it doesn’t take long for them to fry & I don’t put too much oil in the pan. Is your temp low-med?
I always keep chicken in my frezzer. One of my go to meals is chicken tacos. I love the added green chilies to the chicken and you just cant go wrong with this meal.
These are my family’s favorite! when I’m in a pinch, I always have shredded chicken on hand & tortillas, so they are my go-to! Always gone in minutes..love paring it with your Spanish rice.
These tacos are the best. Love chicken tAcos!
Love a good, easy taco recipe. Looks fantastic!
Made these for dinner again this week, my kids just love it!
I want these for lunch every day now!
Can’t wait to try these! MY family always loves taco night!
we love Mexican Food at our house. The taste for this recipe is a home run for the whole family! YUMMY
These loOk tasty. Cant wait to make. WoUld you RECOMMEND any veggieS for us VEGETARIANS out here -as a SUBSTITUTE to your chicken.
Thank you!! I really think any would be great. It’s all a personal preference, but I’d say any of your favorites!
We love potato cheese Tacos.! I just microwave washed aNd scrubbed yukon gold potatoes 1 1/2-2 potat Per person ( with or without skins), pierce each potato several times on all sides. Wrap each one in a moist paper towel. Microwave 5-6/mins. Let them cool slightly like 5-10 mins. Mash the potato In a large bowl and season (use whatever seasonings you like, i usually use lawry’s seasoned salt. I Microwave whatever amount of corn tortillas you plan to eat e.g. 6-10 for 45 seconds. Be careful they are sTEaming hot. Get your frying pan ready by heating enough oil anywhere from 1/8-1/4 inch in frying pan on medium heat. When you feel its hot enough, we do not want it smoking but hot enough to start frying place 2=spoonfuls of potatoes mashing it in equal portions throughout taco, fry until golden crispy on each side. I like to paper towel line a COLANDER with about 6-8 paper towels. Stand the tacos upright. This is where you can drain oil off the tacos.. now Top your tacos with favorite toppings: cheese, guacamole, tomato, lettuce, salsa, sour cream, etc. HOpe that was helpful.
ELIZABETH- Great recipe for potato tacos! I would never have thought of it. My sis-in-law is vegetarian. I think I will make these for her.
kristyn- thank you for your tips on frying the tacos. I always have fried the taco shells empty and then when I try to fill them the taco shell breaks or when I filled them with meat and then fried them, the filling would fall out.. I hate to make the shells because it is so frustrating. I will try them your way. It sounds so simple AND EASY. I never have had chicken tacos before-but I will now. tHANK YOU.
Thank you! I’d love to know what you think! They are my favorite taco!! Hope the tips help!
These are my go to tacos. My older ones like them with the LETTUCE and tomato, but my YOUNGER kids like them plain. Either way i always serve them with yOur spanish rIce recipe.
Hi 🙂
Can i use flour tortillas instead?
You sure could 😉 Enjoy!!
I’ve followed you for two years and your blog always has best recipes in many blog I read. Now, i just follow you. Thank you for great dishes you’ve posted.
You are so welcome!! Thank you for following 🙂
These look delish!!!! Has anyone tried them in the air fryer? I know pArt of the magic and deliciousness is frying in oil bur WONDERING if the aie fryer Would be an option.
Thank you! I personally have not, but that’s a good option!
Hello.
These LoOk amazing and i want to tRy and make them. Any idea if they would turn out okay using canned chIcken? LaSt minute meal idea and i do not have Any chicken thawed and ready to cook so thought maybe canned chicken would be okay to use? Thanks
Using canned chicken is a great option!! I totally would do the same, if it was last minute & I didn’t have chicken on hand. Sure hope you like them as much as we do!
we love Mexican Food at our house. The taste for this recipe is a home run for the whole family! YUMMY
Thank you so much for saying that! We love Mexican food at our house, too! Glad they were a hit!
Thanks for the recipe! I can’t wait to make them tonight with your enchilada recipe. It’s really hard to watch any of the recipe Videos you have on your page with all the adds that interrupt in the middle of them.
You are welcome! Love them with the enchiladas. Thanks!
Our favorite Chicken Taco recipe!! Oh so good!!!
Crunchy tacos for life! So yummy!
My 6 year old is a picky eater and she ate THREE of these tacos!!! That says something!!! My whole family devoured them and they are now in our rotation of dinners. Easy and so yummy! She has the best recipes for Mexican food!
Obviously nothing too complicated here but a few pointers did give me the courage to fry up tacos for dinner and now we make them all the time!
If I could give 10 stars I would! I make these for big family gatherings. They are my absolute favorite. I crave them. Such a game changer from taco shells you buy in the store. Such a simple recipe but so amazing!
Thanks for saying that!!
So sorry they cracked. Thank you for giving them a try.