Description
These Best Chicken Tacos are an easy and flavorful dinner made with tender shredded chicken, taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, green chiles, onions, refried beans, and plenty of melted Mexican blend cheese. Crispy taco shells and fresh toppings make every bite satisfying and delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ lb. shredded cooked chicken
- 1 oz. taco seasoning
- ½ cup diced onion
- 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes, fully drained
- 4.5 oz. diced green chiles, fully drained
- 10 hard taco shells
- 8 oz. refried beans
- 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
- Sliced jalapeños, optional
- Sour cream, optional
- Salsa, optional
- Shredded lettuce, optional
- Chopped fresh cilantro, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, until softened.
- Stir in the shredded cooked chicken and taco seasoning.
- Add the fully drained diced tomatoes and green chiles. Stir well and cook for 4–5 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine and excess moisture to cook off.
- Warm the refried beans in a small saucepan or microwave until easy to spread.
- Arrange the hard taco shells upright in a baking dish or taco stand.
- Spread a small amount of refried beans into the bottom of each taco shell.
- Fill each shell evenly with the seasoned chicken mixture.
- Top each taco generously with shredded Mexican blend cheese.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and the shells are hot and crisp.
- Remove from the oven and add your favorite toppings, such as sliced jalapeños, sour cream, salsa, shredded lettuce, and fresh cilantro.
- Serve immediately while warm and crispy.
Notes
- Rotisserie chicken is a convenient option, but any cooked shredded chicken works well.
- Drain the tomatoes and green chiles thoroughly to prevent soggy taco shells.
- Cook the chicken mixture long enough to remove excess moisture.
- Refried beans help create a creamy layer and keep the filling together inside the taco shells.
- Mexican blend cheese can be replaced with cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or another melting cheese.
- Add sliced jalapeños for extra heat.
- For the best texture, add lettuce, sour cream, salsa, and cilantro immediately before serving.
- Leftover chicken filling can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat assembled tacos in the oven or air fryer to help restore their crisp texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired