Crispy Homemade Applebees Chicken Wonton Tacos Recipe

Crispy, golden applebees chicken wonton tacos bring a surprising twist to your weekly menu lineup.

Asian-inspired flavors dance across delicate wonton shells with surprising complexity.

Tender chicken pieces nestle inside perfectly crunchy wrappers that crackle with each delightful bite.

Familiar ingredients combine in unexpected ways to create something remarkable.

Quick preparation means you can whip up this restaurant-style dish faster than ordering takeout.

Spicy, sweet, and utterly addictive, these tacos promise to become your new favorite comfort meal.

Jump into this culinary adventure and let your taste buds celebrate!

Why Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos Are So Popular

• Craft Fusion Flavor: Blend Asian and Mexican cuisines with a creative twist that transforms traditional taco expectations.
• Boost Cooking Skills: Master multiple techniques like marinating, frying wonton shells, and sautéing chicken in one exciting recipe.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Prepare a restaurant-inspired dish that impresses guests with minimal cooking complexity and stunning presentation.
• Customize with Ease: Adjust spice levels, swap protein, or modify toppings to suit individual taste preferences and dietary needs.

What You’ll Need for Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos

• Chicken Breasts: A lean protein that serves as the primary filling for the tacos.
• Rotisserie Chicken: Adds depth and variety to the chicken texture and flavor.

• Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar, Sesame Oil, Honey, Sriracha Sauce: Creates a complex, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor profile for the chicken.
• Garlic Powder, Ginger Powder: Provides aromatic and warm spice notes to the marinade.

• Wonton Wrappers: Serve as a crispy, unique alternative to traditional taco shells.
• Coleslaw Mix: Adds fresh crunch and texture to the tacos.
• Cilantro, Green Onions: Bring bright, fresh herb flavors to the dish.

• Vegetable Oil: Used for frying wonton shells and cooking chicken.
• Lime: Provides a zesty, fresh finish to the tacos.
• Paper Towels: Used for draining excess oil from wonton shells.

How to Assemble Chicken Wonton Tacos with Ease

Step 1: Slice Chicken into Strips

Cut chicken breasts into thin, uniform strips ensuring even cooking and quick absorption of marinade flavors.

Step 2: Create Tangy Marinade

• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Sesame oil
• Garlic powder
• Ginger powder
• Honey
• Sriracha sauce

Whisk together until well blended.

Step 3: Marinate Chicken

Submerge chicken strips completely in marinade, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to develop deep flavor profiles.

Step 4: Prepare Crispy Wonton Shells

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet to 350°F. Carefully drape wonton wrappers over two parallel skillet edges, creating a taco shell shape. Fry until golden and crisp, approximately 1-2 minutes per side.

Step 5: Drain Wonton Shells

Remove wonton shells and place on paper towels to absorb excess oil, allowing them to maintain crispiness.

Step 6: Cook Marinated Chicken

Drain marinated chicken and sauté in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until thoroughly done and slightly caramelized, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 7: Shred Chicken Mixture

Combine and shred cooked chicken with rotisserie chicken to create a varied texture.

Step 8: Prepare Coleslaw Filling

• Coleslaw mix
• Chopped cilantro
• Thinly sliced green onions

Create a fresh and crunchy filling.

Step 9: Assemble Wonton Tacos

Layer shredded chicken into crispy wonton shells.

Top with prepared coleslaw mixture.

Step 10: Add Final Touch

Squeeze fresh lime juice over tacos to enhance brightness and zesty flavor.

Step 11: Serve Immediately

Serve tacos right away while wonton shells remain crisp and filling stays warm.

Handy Tips for Applebee’s Style Tacos at Home

• Marinate Masterfully: Let chicken soak in the vibrant marinade for at least 30 minutes to guarantee maximum flavor absorption and tender meat texture.
• Crisp Wonton Technique: Use tongs to carefully drape wonton wrappers over skillet edges, ensuring even golden-brown crispiness without burning the delicate shells.
• Texture Trick: Combine freshly cooked and rotisserie chicken for a more complex, varied mouthfeel that elevates the overall taco experience.
• Lime Lift: Squeeze fresh lime juice just before serving to brighten flavors and add a zesty punch that cuts through the rich chicken and creamy coleslaw.
• Quick-Serve Strategy: Assemble tacos immediately after cooking to maintain the perfect contrast between crispy wonton shells and warm, juicy chicken filling.

Wonton Taco Flavor Combos to Explore

• Vegetarian Wonton Tacos: Replace chicken with crispy tofu cubes marinated in the same sauce, providing a protein-packed plant-based alternative.
• Seafood Fusion Tacos: Swap chicken with seared shrimp or crab meat, maintaining the original marinade's Asian-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Korean BBQ Tacos: Use gochujang and Korean chili paste instead of sriracha, adding extra heat and depth to the marinade for a bold taste experience.
• Pulled Pork Wonton Tacos: Slow-cook pork shoulder in the marinade until tender, shredding meat for a rich, succulent filling with robust flavor complexity.

Great Pairings for Chicken Wonton Tacos

• Sip Citrus Margarita: Bright, tangy lime margarita perfectly complements the Asian-inspired wonton tacos, cutting through the rich chicken and enhancing the zesty marinade flavors.
• Match Crisp Asian Beer: Light Japanese or Korean beer like Sapporo or Hite provides a clean, refreshing counterpoint to the spicy sriracha and sesame notes in the dish.
• Pair Ginger Mocktail: Non-alcoholic ginger-lime sparkling drink mirrors the recipe's Asian fusion profile, offering a bright, spicy alternative that cleanses the palate between bites.
• Elevate with Sake: Chilled, dry sake brings authentic Japanese undertones that harmonize beautifully with the soy and sesame marinade, creating a sophisticated dining experience.

How to Keep Wonton Tacos Fresh and Crunchy

• Transfer leftover tacos to an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sogginess. Consume within 1-2 days for best quality and crispness.
• Store wonton shells, chicken, and coleslaw separately in individual sealed containers. This prevents moisture buildup and maintains each ingredient's texture when reassembling.
• Freeze cooked chicken in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months. Avoid freezing assembled tacos, as wonton shells will lose crispness and become soggy upon thawing.
• Crisp wonton shells in a preheated oven at 350°F for 3-4 minutes. Warm chicken in a skillet over medium heat, ensuring it doesn't dry out.

Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Taco FAQs

• Is this recipe spicy?

The marinade contains sriracha sauce, which adds a mild heat. You can adjust the amount of sriracha or omit it completely for a less spicy version.

• Can I use different proteins?

Yes, you can substitute chicken with shrimp, tofu, or pulled pork while keeping the same marinade and cooking technique.

• Do I need special equipment to make wonton shells?

A standard skillet works perfectly. You’ll need to carefully drape wonton wrappers over skillet edges to create the taco shape during frying.

• How can I make this recipe healthier?

Consider baking the wonton shells instead of frying, using less oil, and adding more vegetables to the coleslaw mixture for increased nutrition.

Applebees Chicken Wonton Tacos Recipe

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4.6 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos blend Asian-inspired flavors with crispy texture, creating a mouthwatering fusion of street food and restaurant magic. Crisp wonton shells cradle zesty marinated chicken, inviting you to savor each crunchy, flavor-packed bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup shredded rotisserie chicken

Produce and Garnish:

• 1 green onion
• 1/2 cup coleslaw mix
• 1/4 cup cilantro
• 1 lime

Pantry and Seasoning:

• 8 wonton wrappers
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) soy sauce
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) rice vinegar
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp ginger powder
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) honey
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) sriracha sauce
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) vegetable oil (for frying)

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Instructions

1. Trim chicken breasts and slice into thin, uniform strips to ensure even cooking and quick marination.
2. Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic powder, ginger powder, honey, and sriracha sauce to create a vibrant, tangy marinade.
3. Submerge chicken strips in marinade, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to infuse deep, robust flavors.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet to 350°F, preparing for crispy wonton base.
5. Carefully drape wonton wrappers over two parallel skillet edges to create a taco shell shape, frying until golden and crisp, approximately 1-2 minutes per side.
6. Remove wonton shells and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
7. Drain marinated chicken and quickly sauté in the same skillet over medium-high heat until thoroughly cooked and slightly caramelized, about 4-5 minutes.
8. Shred cooked chicken and rotisserie chicken together for varied texture.
9. Combine coleslaw mix, chopped cilantro, and thinly sliced green onions in a fresh, crunchy filling.
10. Assemble tacos by layering shredded chicken in crispy wonton shells, topping with coleslaw mixture.
11. Squeeze fresh lime juice over tacos for bright, zesty finish.
12. Serve immediately while wonton shells remain crisp and filling stays warm.

Notes

• Slice chicken uniformly to guarantee consistent marination and cooking throughout the protein.
• Create marinades ahead of time and store in sealed containers for quick meal preparation during busy weeknights.
• Consider using low-sodium soy sauce for reduced salt content and healthier version of the recipe.
• Replace honey with agave nectar or maple syrup for vegan-friendly alternative and different flavor profile.
• Ensure oil temperature remains consistent at 350°F to achieve perfectly crispy wonton shells without burning.
• Pat chicken dry before sautéing to enhance caramelization and prevent steaming instead of browning.
• Use rotisserie chicken as time-saving protein option when preparing large batches or feeling less motivated to cook from scratch.
• Experiment with additional protein alternatives like tofu, shredded pork, or plant-based chicken substitutes for dietary diversity.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg