Crispy Cheesy Chicken Tacos

A delicious and simple chicken taco full of cheesy goodness all in a crispy shell!

Prep Time 10 minutes Cook Time 30 minutes Makes 18 Tacos

Ingredients

• 2 lbs Chicken Thighs, boneless, skinless
• 1 qt Chicken Broth
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Chili Powder
• 18 Fajita-Sized Tortillas
• 3 cups Cheddar Cheese, shredded
• Frying Oil, enough for 1 inch deep in pan

Supplies

Sauce Pan

Cutting Board

Knife

Frying Pan

Tongs

Baking Sheet

Paper Towels

Step 1: Cook the Chicken

In a sauce pan over medium-high heat, add chicken, chicken broth, cumin, garlic powder, and chili powder. Let cook for 20 minutes.

Remove chicken from the sauce pan and cut it into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Prep the Tacos

Add oil to a frying pan over medium-high heat.

Place a portion of chicken and cheese in the center of the tortilla and fold over, pressing down to help it keep its shape. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
Note: it's best to prep all of the tacos before you start frying. The frying process happens quickly and it's best to have them all ready.

Step 3: Fry the Tacos

Once the oil is hot enough, begin frying the tacos. Start by holding the tortilla with tongs from the top center, so that the bottom folds in free. Start by holding the tortilla in the hot oil for 15 seconds so the shape is created. Then lay flat on each side, cooking for 20 seconds each. Remove to a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining tacos.

Note: you will want to skim off the collected cheese from the oil every 6 tacos or so.

Step 4: Serve It Up!

Serve with your favorite taco toppings. I added sour cream, Sriracha, and cilantro. And served with my Mexcian Corn Casserole.

Comments

[manskybook]

Maybe you are trying to make this recipe more appealing to a broader group, but wouldn't these be called, more appropriately, "chicken quesadillas"?

[gralan]

I've never made quesadillas in hot oil, never had meat in one either. Born in SW, lived in Calif-Georgia. I'm sure some magazine or pseudo-chef thinks this kind of thing is a chimichanga. But when I go to Mexico I order my favorite: Marinated cubed Pork and Papas with rich-red chile sauce, aka Carne Adobada. Some have told me that dish doesn't exist. They are most mistaken. So are folks who do a chimichanga version of a taco.
IMO.

[manskybook]

just thinking nomenclature. SoCal street quesadillas often have meat and are often pan-fried in oil; SoCal tacos are pretty much universally served on steamed tortillas, or tortillas briefly heated on a flat grill or cast iron pan. But the variations of Mexican food with tortillas is vast, and north of the border we do twist those variations. YMMV

[joepfister]

These looks great! Thanks for sharing.
Hopefully that Mexican corn casserole is next on your instructables to-do list. :)

[homemadeonaweeknight]

I should have taken the pictures to do that when I made the corn casserole. I did post the recipe to my blog if you wanted to check it out - https://homemadeonaweeknight.com/2022/01/04/mexican-corn-casserole/

[edmatthews2010]

They look great. Did you consider making these using an air fryer or in the oven, rather than deep frying?

[homemadeonaweeknight]

Thanks so much! I don't actually have an air fryer, so I don't know much about them. I imagine if you can lay them flat in the air fryer it would work.

[maxman]

Have you tried this with corn tortillas? Nice easy directions. I like it!