Copycat Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos Recipe
This Copycat Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos Recipe offers a quick, flavorful, and crispy taco experience featuring tender marinated chicken, crunchy fried wonton shells, fresh toppings, and a spicy mayo sauce. Perfect as an appetizer or light meal, it’s easy to customize and brings restaurant-quality taste right to your kitchen.
- Author: Lucas
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 20-24 tacos 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken Filling
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast or thighs, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for cooking chicken)
Wonton Shells
- 20–24 wonton wrappers
- Vegetable oil, for frying (enough to deep fry, about 2-3 cups)
Toppings & Sauce
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 3–4 green onions, chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1–2 tbsp Sriracha sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (Monterey Jack or mild cheddar, optional)
- Prepare the Chicken Filling: Chop the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, marinate with soy sauce, minced garlic, lime juice, and black pepper for at least 10 minutes. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat and sauté the chicken until fully cooked and lightly caramelized, about 6-8 minutes. Set aside.
- Form and Fry the Wonton Shells: Fold each wonton wrapper to form a taco shape by pinching two opposite corners together. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Carefully fry each shaped wonton shell for 1-2 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make the Spicy Mayo Sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise and Sriracha sauce. Adjust the amount of Sriracha to reach your desired spice level. Mix well until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Tacos: Fill each crispy wonton shell with a generous spoonful of cooked chicken. Top with shredded lettuce, chopped green onions, and a drizzle of spicy mayo sauce. If desired, sprinkle shredded cheese on top. Serve immediately to maintain the crunch.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for juicier meat or breasts for a leaner option.
- Maintain frying oil temperature between 350-375°F to avoid greasy or burnt wontons.
- Marinate chicken ahead of time to deepen flavor.
- Adjust mayo and Sriracha amounts for creaminess and heat preference.
- Assemble tacos just before serving to keep wonton shells crispy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Chicken wonton tacos, Copycat Applebee’s, crispy wonton shells, spicy mayo, appetizer, easy taco recipe, quick chicken tacos