Applebees Chicken Wonton Tacos Recipe

Try This Tasty Applebees Chicken Wonton Tacos Recipe at Home!

Crispy wonton shells cradle an explosion of Applebees chicken wonton tacos that dance with unexpected flavor.

My first bite transported me straight to a bustling street food market.

The delicate crunch meets tender, seasoned chicken in a culinary adventure that breaks traditional taco boundaries.

Bold spices and fresh ingredients combine to create something magical on your plate.

You’ll want to master this restaurant-inspired dish that feels like a personal triumph.

These tacos bring restaurant-quality excitement directly to your kitchen with minimal effort.

Prepare to impress everyone who takes a single, transformative bite.

Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos for a Copycat Favorite

  • Master this recipe with minimal cooking skills, requiring basic techniques like shredding chicken and frying wonton wrappers.
  • Blend Asian-inspired seasonings with Mexican taco concept, creating a unique fusion dish that surprises taste buds.
  • Serve as crowd-pleasing appetizers or interactive finger food that looks gourmet but takes less than 30 minutes to prepare.

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

Main Ingredients:

Protein:
  • Chicken Breasts: Tender and lean meat that forms the base of the filling, providing protein and a neutral flavor for seasoning.
  • Soy Sauce: Classic Asian-inspired seasoning that adds depth and umami to the chicken.
Wrappers and Shell:
  • Wonton Wrappers: Thin, delicate pastry that creates a crispy taco shell when fried, offering a unique texture.
Produce:
  • Lettuce: Adds fresh crunch and lightness to the taco.
  • Carrots: Provides additional crunch and subtle sweetness.
  • Cilantro: Offers a bright, fresh herb flavor that complements the chicken.
Seasonings and Sauces:
  • Garlic Powder: Provides a subtle, concentrated garlic flavor.
  • Onion Powder: Adds a mild, sweet onion undertone.
  • Honey: Brings natural sweetness and helps caramelize the chicken.
  • Rice Vinegar: Adds a tangy, light acidity to balance the flavors.
  • Sesame Oil: Introduces a rich, nutty flavor typical in Asian cuisine.
  • Sweet Chili Sauce: Delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and mild heat.
Cooking Ingredients:
  • Olive Oil: Used for both cooking the chicken and frying the wonton wrappers.
  • Sriracha (Optional): Adds extra heat for spice lovers.

Instructions to Build Chicken Wonton Tacos at Home

Step 1: Prepare Savory Chicken Filling

  • Cook chicken breasts using preferred method (boiling, baking, or pan-frying)
  • Shred chicken into small pieces using two forks
  • Heat olive oil in pan over medium heat
  • Add shredded chicken to pan
Seasonings:
  • Soy sauce
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Honey
  • Rice vinegar
  • Sesame oil
  • Sriracha (optional)

Stir chicken with seasonings and cook for 3-4 minutes until well coated and heated through. Set aside to cool.

Step 2: Create Crispy Wonton Shells

Heat olive oil in small pot or deep fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit

Carefully place wonton wrappers into hot oil one at a time

Fry for 1-2 minutes until golden brown and crispy

Remove with tongs and drain on paper towels

Step 3: Shape Wonton Taco Shells

Allow wonton wrappers to cool slightly

Gently press center and sides to create bowl-like taco shape

Step 4: Build Flavorful Tacos

Fill each wonton shell with seasoned chicken mixture

Pack chicken tightly into shells

Toppings:
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Shredded carrots
  • Fresh cilantro leaves

Drizzle sweet chili sauce over tacos for extra flavor

Step 5: Serve and Delight

Arrange chicken wonton tacos on serving platter

Serve immediately as appetizers or fun party snack

Handy Tips for Crisp Shells and Flavorful Chicken

  • Perfectly Crisp Wontons: Ensure oil is precisely 350F to achieve golden, crunchy wonton shells without burning or sogginess.
  • Control Chicken Flavor Intensity: Adjust seasoning ratios in the sauce to personalize heat levels- more sriracha for spice lovers, less for mild preferences.
  • Prevent Soggy Shells: Allow wonton wrappers to cool slightly after frying to maintain crispiness and prevent filling from making shells soft.
  • Meal Prep Hack: Prepare chicken filling and wonton shells ahead of time, storing separately to quickly assemble tacos when ready to serve for convenient entertaining.
  • Customize Dietary Needs: Swap chicken for tofu or shredded jackfruit to create vegetarian versions; use gluten-free wonton wrappers for those with wheat sensitivities.

Store and Reheat Chicken Wonton Tacos the Smart Way

  • Store leftover tacos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Separate wonton shells and chicken filling to prevent sogginess.
  • Warm crispy wonton shells in a preheated oven at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to restore crunchiness. Avoid microwaving to maintain texture.
  • Gently reheat chicken filling in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or extra sauce to prevent drying out.
  • Rebuild tacos with reheated shells and warmed chicken just before serving. Add fresh toppings like lettuce and cilantro for maximum flavor and crunch.

What to Serve with Chicken Wonton Tacos

  • Shake up a lemongrass martini or ginger mojito that complements the Asian fusion flavors of the wonton tacos, cutting through the richness with bright, zesty notes.
  • Choose a cold Asian beer like Sapporo or Tsingtao, or create a yuzu sparkling water that enhances the sweet and spicy profile of the chicken filling.
  • Create a tangy wasabi aioli or creamy sriracha mayo that adds an extra layer of flavor and moisture to the crispy wonton shells, balancing the crunchy texture.
  • Serve a quick cucumber and edamame salad with rice vinegar dressing to provide a fresh, light side that contrasts the rich, savory wonton tacos.

New Takes on Applebee’s Chicken Taco Flavors

  • Vegetarian Wonton Shells: Replace chicken with crispy tofu or roasted jackfruit, seasoned with the same Asian-inspired spices for a plant-based alternative.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use rice paper wrappers or corn tortillas instead of wonton wrappers, ensuring the same crispy texture and flavor profile.
  • Low-Carb Adaptation: Skip the fried wrappers and serve the spiced chicken mixture in lettuce cups for a lighter, carb-conscious version of the tacos.
  • Spicy Seafood Variation: Swap chicken for sautéed shrimp or crab meat, maintaining the original sauce ingredients for a seafood-friendly rendition.
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Applebees Chicken Wonton Tacos Recipe

Applebees Chicken Wonton Tacos Recipe


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4.7 from 21 reviews

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

Description

Savor sizzling Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos that blend crispy Asian-inspired flavors with zesty southwestern flair. Crisp wonton shells cradle spicy grilled chicken, promising a delightful culinary journey you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Wonton Taco Shells:

  • 12 wonton wrappers
  • Cooking spray or oil for brushing

Chicken Filling:

  • 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, finely diced or ground chicken
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

Slaw and Garnish:

  • 1 cup (75g) shredded cabbage (red, green, or a mix)
  • ½ cup (50g) shredded carrots
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • ½ teaspoon soy sauce
  • Sweet chili sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • Chopped green onions
  • Sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Meticulously prepare the chicken by cooking it thoroughly through your preferred method: boiling, baking, or pan-frying. Shred the cooked chicken into delicate, uniform pieces using two forks.
  2. Create a vibrant flavor profile by sautéing the shredded chicken in a skillet with olive oil over medium heat. Infuse the meat with a harmonious blend of soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and optional sriracha. Allow the chicken to simmer for 3-4 minutes, ensuring each strand is generously coated with the aromatic sauce.
  3. Carefully heat olive oil in a deep pot or fryer to precisely 350F. Gently submerge wonton wrappers one at a time, transforming them into crispy golden shells. Extract the delicate wrappers using tongs and let them drain on absorbent paper towels.
  4. Craft the taco shells by gently folding the cooled wonton wrappers, creating a elegant bowl-like shape. Pack each shell tightly with the seasoned chicken mixture.
  5. Enhance the tacos with fresh garnishes: sprinkle crisp shredded lettuce, add vibrant shredded carrots, and garnish with delicate cilantro leaves. Finish with a tantalizing drizzle of sweet chili sauce to elevate the flavor profile.
  6. Present the Chicken Wonton Tacos immediately on an elegant platter, ready to delight as a sophisticated appetizer, party snack, or innovative dinner option.

Notes

  • Choose tender, juicy chicken breasts for the most flavorful and moist filling in your wonton tacos.
  • Pat the chicken dry before cooking to ensure better seasoning absorption and prevent excess moisture.
  • Adjust the spice level by controlling the amount of sriracha or using alternative hot sauces to suit different heat tolerances.
  • Experiment with alternative protein options like tofu, shredded pork, or plant-based alternatives for dietary restrictions or variety.
  • Create a gluten-free version by using gluten-free wonton wrappers or substituting with corn tortilla shells.
  • Control oil temperature precisely with a kitchen thermometer to prevent burning or soggy wonton shells.
  • Prepare wonton shells ahead of time and store in an airtight container to maintain crispiness before serving.
  • Balance flavors by adding a squeeze of fresh lime juice over the tacos for a bright, zesty finish.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 40g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 75mg
Daves Miller

Daves Miller

Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • American Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
  • Instruction in culinary fundamentals and advanced techniques.
  • Development of recipes that highlight seasonal and local produce.​
  • Mastery of artisanal bread and pastry techniques, from laminated doughs to decorative sugar artistry.

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

  • Degree: Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Specialized in cooking techniques and culinary sciences, hands‑on externships, professional kitchen lab training, and career preparation for restaurants, entrepreneurship, and global culinary opportunities.

White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Arts degree
  • Focus: Specialized in comprehensive baking and pastry arts, including bread making, artisan breads, cake decorating and design, chocolates, confections, and decorative centerpieces; product development and baking theory; and career preparation for baker and pastry chef roles in many places.

Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals. 

He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.

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