Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos are a delightful twist on traditional tacos. They combine crispy wonton wrappers with marinated chicken and fresh vegetables, resulting in a dish that’s both fun to eat and packed with flavor. These tacos have gained popularity for their crunchy texture and mouth-watering filling, making them a favorite for gatherings or late-night snacks.
Why We Love This Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos Recipe
There’s so much to love about Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos. First, they offer a unique blend of flavors that perfectly marry sweet, savory, and crunchy textures. The homemade slaw adds a refreshing crunch, while the marinated chicken is bursting with flavor from the garlic, ginger, and green onions. Plus, the crispy wonton wrappers provide an excellent contrast to the tender filling. Not to mention, this dish is easy to make, perfect for feeding a crowd, and even fun for kids to help with assembly. Once you taste them, you’ll understand why they are a cherished favorite.
Ingredients about Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos
To recreate the deliciousness of Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos in your kitchen, you will need the following ingredients:
- 12 wonton wrappers
- 1 pound chicken breasts, marinated
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 cup cabbage, shredded
- 1 cup carrots, shredded
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying as needed
How to Make Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos Directions
Creating Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos is straightforward, and it starts with preparing the chicken. First, you want to mix together the soy sauce, minced garlic, minced ginger, chopped green onions, salt, and pepper in a bowl to create your marinade. Place the chicken breasts in the marinade, ensuring they are well-coated, and let them sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step infuses your chicken with rich flavors.
Next, heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated chicken breasts. Cook each side for about 6 to 7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and has a nice, golden color. When fully cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and let it cool a bit before shredding it into bite-sized pieces.
While the chicken is cooling, it’s time to make the slaw that will elevate your tacos. In a separate bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, chopped cilantro, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and a dash of salt. Mix everything well until the vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
Now, let’s focus on the wonton wrappers. You need to fry them to achieve that crispy, crunchy texture. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Once the oil is ready, add the wonton wrappers in batches, frying them for about 30 seconds on each side, or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove them from the skillet and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
Now comes the fun part: assembling your tacos! Take a crispy wonton shell and add a generous amount of the shredded chicken inside. Top it with your fresh vegetable slaw and add a sprinkle of cilantro for garnish. Repeat this process until all your wonton wrappers are filled.
These flavorful and crunchy tacos should be served immediately while the wonton shells are still warm and crispy.
How to Serve Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos
Serving Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos is all about presentation. Consider using a large platter to display the tacos beautifully. You can arrange them in a circle or in rows, allowing your guests to easily grab one. A small bowl of extra slaw or a dipping sauce—like sweet chili sauce or a simple soy sauce—can also be placed in the center for added flavor.
Don’t forget your garnishing! A scatter of fresh cilantro on top adds a pop of color and enhances the overall appeal. You might also opt to serve some lime wedges on the side for a zesty kick. This dish is best enjoyed fresh and warm, making it an excellent appetizer for parties or a quick yet satisfying meal for any time of the week.
Expert Tips: Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos
If you want to take your Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos to the next level, consider these expert tips. First, always ensure your oil is hot enough before frying the wonton wrappers. A temperature of around 350°F (175°C) is ideal. If the oil isn’t hot enough, the wonton wrappers may absorb too much oil and become greasy instead of crispy.
When marinating the chicken, feel free to let it sit longer than 30 minutes for more intense flavor. You can marinate it for up to several hours, or even overnight if time allows.
For an added crunch, you can include diced bell peppers, sliced jalapeños, or even peanuts in your slaw mixture. These additions can provide an additional depth of flavor and texture to your tacos. Lastly, if you are making these for a crowd, consider doubling the recipe—it’s guaranteed to be a hit!
How to Store Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos
If you happen to have any Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos left over, you can store them for later enjoyment. It’s best to keep the components separate to maintain their individual textures and flavors. Store the shredded chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will last for about 3 to 4 days.
Your slaw can also be stored in a separate airtight container and will similarly stay fresh for 3 to 4 days. Unfortunately, wonton wrappers do not store well once fried, as they lose their crispness. If you prefer, you can save any leftover marinated chicken and un-fried wonton wrappers separately, then fry the wrappers fresh when you’re ready to serve the tacos again.
Variation of Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos
While the classic recipe for Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos is delicious on its own, you can easily customize it to suit your tastes. For a vegetarian version, consider using tofu or tempeh marinated in the same sauce instead of chicken. This provides a satisfying alternative without sacrificing flavor.
Adding different types of veggies to the slaw can produce exciting variations. Try including red cabbage for color, or adding radishes for extra crunch. Perhaps top the tacos with some sliced avocado for creaminess or switch out the green onions for diced tomatoes.
For a spicy kick, you could integrate diced jalapeños directly into the chicken filling or the slaw mix. This will definitely elevate the taste if you enjoy heat. Finally, consider adding sauces like ranch or spicy Asian sauces to the toppings for additional flavor layers.
FAQ
What ingredients are needed for Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos?
To make these tacos, you will need wonton wrappers, chicken breasts, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, green onions, cabbage, carrots, cilantro, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and some oil for frying.
How long does it take to prepare Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos?
The preparation time mainly revolves around marinating the chicken for about 30 minutes, plus your cooking efforts, which should take about 20 minutes altogether for an easy meal.
Can I make Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos ahead of time?
You can marinate the chicken and prepare the slaw in advance. However, for the best quality, fry the wonton wrappers and assemble the tacos fresh before serving.
What should I serve with my Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos?
These tacos pair well with a side of rice or a fresh salad. You can also provide dipping sauces or extra slaw to complement them.
Are Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos suitable for meal prep?
Yes! You can prepare the chicken and slaw in advance and assemble them just before your meal. This makes for a quick and delicious meal option throughout the week.
Applebee's Chicken Wonton Tacos
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 1 pound chicken breasts, marinated Use your favorite marinade for the chicken
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the slaw
- 1 cup cabbage, shredded
- 1 cup carrots, shredded
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
For the tacos
- 12 pieces wonton wrappers
- Oil for frying as needed Ensure oil is hot enough for frying
Instructions
Preparation
- Mix the soy sauce, minced garlic, minced ginger, chopped green onions, salt, and pepper in a bowl to create your marinade.
- Place the chicken breasts in the marinade, ensuring they are well-coated. Let them sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Cooking the Chicken
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken breasts and cook each side for about 6 to 7 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Remove chicken from the skillet and let it cool before shredding it into bite-sized pieces.
Making the Slaw
- Combine shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, chopped cilantro, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and a dash of salt in a bowl. Mix until coated.
Frying the Wontons
- Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the wonton wrappers in batches for about 30 seconds on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove and place on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
Assembling the Tacos
- Take a crispy wonton shell, fill it with shredded chicken, top with vegetable slaw, and garnish with cilantro.
- Repeat until all wonton wrappers are filled. Serve immediately.