Puffy Chicken Tacos

Loaded seasoned chicken tacos on a puffy fried tortilla. A fun and spicy way to change up taco night!

Loaded seasoned chicken tacos on a puffy fried tortilla. Recipe by @bakedbyrachel

At least once a week we have tacos. It’s an easy and tasty dinner that usually most of the family enjoys. The kids, well… they can be finicky. Everyone is allowed their moment though. Normally it’s a pretty standard and basic spread of taco fixings and a range of shell styles from soft to crunchy and edible bowls.

But, ever since making these fried tacos years ago, nothing has quite compared. I knew I needed an updated version that was even tastier and less messy.

Loaded seasoned chicken tacos on a puffy fried tortilla. Recipe by @bakedbyrachel

My updated version features seasoned shredded chicken, a variety of favorite toppings from chopped iceberg lettuce to shredded cheese and jalapeños. While the chicken is the absolute star of this dish (meaning no ifs ands or butts… you cannot skip the steps for that or you’ll be lacking some serious flavor in your tacos), the base of the taco is just as important! A flour tortilla, fried until golden and puffy. Eat it folded, sliced or as is. Just be sure to make it and enjoy!

And as weird as this may sound, these taste as scrumptious cold as they are warm! I was pretty stuffed after one, so I put the leftovers in the fridge for later. So good! Leftover for tacos anyone? :)

Be sure to add these to your taco night or Cinco de Mayo plans! You’ll be glad you did!

Loaded seasoned chicken tacos on a puffy fried tortilla. Recipe by @bakedbyrachel

Puffy Chicken Tacos

Loaded seasoned chicken tacos on a puffy fried tortilla. A fun and spicy way to change up taco night!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Dinner
Servings: 2

Ingredients

  • 1 chicken breast trimmed of fat
  • 1 1/2-2 C chicken broth
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 4 : 8-inch flour tortillas
  • Vegetable oil
  • Lettuce chopped
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Monterey Jack cheese shredded
  • Sour cream
  • Jalapeños

Other topping options:

  • Corn
  • Guacamole
  • Lime juice
  • Avocado
  • Tortilla strips
  • Black beans

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, place 1 whole boneless chicken breast. Add seasonings and chicken broth to cover the chicken breast. Cook for 10-15 minutes, flipping the chicken and continuing to cook until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink. Remove from saucepan, shred with forks and return to pan. Continue cooking, reducing head to medium-low until chicken broth has cooked off. Transfer shredded chicken to a clean bowl. Set aside.
  • Pour vegetable oil to a depth of 1/2-inch in a medium skillet, heating over medium heat until hot. Frying one tortilla at a time, cook each side for 30 seconds or until lightly browned. Repeat with additional tortillas.
  • In a medium bowl, combine all desired topping ingredients. Divide chicken mixture between fried tortillas. Fold or slice, enjoying immediately or chilled and enjoyed at a later time.

Notes

An original recipe from Baked by Rachel

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30 Responses to “Puffy Chicken Tacos”

  1. #
    1
    Librarian Lavender — May 1, 2014 at 6:35 am

    These tacos are looking so delicious!

    • #
      1.1
      Rachel — May 1, 2014 at 4:50 pm

      Thank you! :)

  2. #
    2
    Chloe @ foodlikecake — May 1, 2014 at 7:27 am

    Those look amazing!! I love the taco shells- so good :-D

    • #
      2.1
      Rachel — May 1, 2014 at 4:50 pm

      Thanks Chloe!

  3. #
    3
    steph@stephsbitebybite — May 1, 2014 at 8:45 am

    Oh my gosh! YES!!! I could eat quite a few of these I think…with a side of margarita!

    • #
      3.1
      Rachel — May 1, 2014 at 4:50 pm

      Absolutely with a margarita ;)

  4. #
    4
    Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen — May 1, 2014 at 8:56 am

    Mmm! Your chicken tacos look delish, Rachel!

    • #
      4.1
      Rachel — May 1, 2014 at 4:51 pm

      Thanks Stacy!

  5. #
    5
    Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie — May 1, 2014 at 9:09 am

    I had no idea they got puffy when fried, yummy!

    • #
      5.1
      Rachel — May 1, 2014 at 4:51 pm

      Seriously there’s no going back now ;)

  6. #
    6
    Nutmeg Nanny — May 1, 2014 at 10:18 am

    These look amazing! Love that puffy crispy shell. Plus that chicken looks delicious!

    • #
      6.1
      Rachel — May 1, 2014 at 4:51 pm

      Thanks so much! :)

  7. #
    7
    Amanda — May 1, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Yummmm! These look so good. I’m loving this variation.

    • #
      7.1
      Rachel — May 1, 2014 at 4:51 pm

      Thanks Amanda!

  8. #
    8
    Marie @ Little Kitchie — May 1, 2014 at 12:30 pm

    I’m from San Antonio where puffy tacos are a religion! These look amazing!

    • #
      8.1
      Rachel — May 1, 2014 at 4:52 pm

      Thanks Marie!

  9. #
    9
    Rachel @ Bakerita — May 1, 2014 at 12:45 pm

    Making tacos for dinner tomorrow night, but now I want your version!! These look so delicious, especially that puffy tortilla! Pinned :)

    • #
      9.1
      Rachel — May 1, 2014 at 4:53 pm

      Thanks Rachel! You should give them a try! :)

  10. #
    10
    Danae @ Recipe Runner — May 1, 2014 at 1:49 pm

    Mmmmm, Puffy. I love this recipe! One because of the shredded chicken and two the amazing puffy tortilla. My favorite part of tortillas are the little bubbly air pockets and now I can fry them up so they are even bigger air pockets! Pinned!

    • #
      10.1
      Rachel — May 1, 2014 at 4:53 pm

      Those air pockets are the best! :)

  11. #
    11
    Shanna @ pineapple and coconut — May 1, 2014 at 2:50 pm

    AHHHHH These are my FAVE tacos. Puffy tacos are the best! We make make Mexican food often in my house and tacos are often what we make. I am totally making your recipe soon, with lots of guac and margs of course!

    • #
      11.1
      Rachel — May 1, 2014 at 4:53 pm

      Thanks Shanna! I hope you enjoy them :)

  12. #
    12
    amanda @ fake ginger — May 1, 2014 at 10:24 pm

    It’s never a bad time for a taco!

    • #
      12.1
      Rachel — May 2, 2014 at 8:03 am

      Agreed!

  13. #
    13
    Matt Robinson — May 2, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    I could totally eat these cold too! We have tacos once a week as well, but never with tortillas like this, so I will have to try them. Thanks so much!

    • #
      13.1
      Rachel — May 3, 2014 at 4:35 pm

      It sounds weird, but they really are just as amazing cold! :)

  14. #
    14
    Nicole — May 6, 2014 at 9:57 am

    I made these last night for my cinco de mayo dinner, and they were outstanding! Thanks so much for sharing, they have become a fast favorite with my fiance!

    • #
      14.1
      Rachel — May 6, 2014 at 12:34 pm

      So glad to hear you enjoyed them! :)

  15. #
    15
    Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) — July 7, 2015 at 9:05 am

    Saw this on G+ and had to come over for a look. Thank you for this recipe. I had Indian Tacos for the first time last Summer and thought the task at home would be too much. Pinned.

    • #
      15.1
      Rachel — July 8, 2015 at 7:46 am

      I hope you enjoy them! :)

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