Crunchy, savory, and perfectly balanced with a fresh, tangy bite — that’s what you get with this Chicken Wonton Tacos with Asian Slaw Recipe. It’s like a flavor party in every bite, and honestly, it’s one of those dishes that never fails to impress when guests come over or you need a quick weeknight winner.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Chicken Wonton Tacos with Asian Slaw Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Chicken Wonton Tacos with Asian Slaw Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Chicken Wonton Tacos with Asian Slaw Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
These Chicken Wonton Tacos with Asian Slaw Recipe hits all the right notes — crispy wonton shells filled with tender, flavorful chicken, and that crunchy, tangy slaw just lifts everything to the next level. Trust me, this combo is one of my favorite easy go-tos when I want a fresh twist on taco night.
- Bold Flavor Fusion: The mix of hoisin, sesame, soy, and fresh ginger creates a perfect sweet-savory chicken that’s irresistible.
- Crunchy Meets Fresh: Crispy baked wonton shells with a zesty Asian-style slaw provide contrasting textures that make the recipe fun to eat.
- Simple Ingredients, Big Impact: Using everyday pantry staples makes it approachable but still impressively flavorful.
- Customizable and Quick: You can tweak the slaw and chicken marinade easily, plus it all comes together in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every part of this recipe complements the other perfectly. The chicken marinates in bold sauces to create depth, the slaw is bright and lightly dressed, and the wonton wrappers crisp up beautifully when baked, acting as a fun taco shell alternative. Here are some tips on the main ingredients so you’ll nail them every time.
- Chicken breasts: Lean and easy to dice finely for quick cooking and great bite-sized pieces for filling wonton shells.
- Hoisin sauce: Brings a sweet, tangy, and slightly smoky flavor that’s essential for that Asian-inspired glaze on the chicken.
- Sesame oil: A little goes a long way in providing a warm, nutty aroma that sings in the marinade and slaw dressing.
- Soy sauce: Adds saltiness and umami depth to both the chicken and the slaw marinade — essential for balancing flavors.
- Garlic and fresh ginger: These fresh aromatics pack a punch and brighten the chicken filling tremendously.
- Coleslaw mix: Conveniently pre-shredded, saving you prep time while providing that crunch and freshness.
- Green onions: Their sharpness and color are perfect for topping and mixing in the slaw.
- Rice vinegar and honey: This combo gives the slaw zing and just the right touch of sweetness.
- Wonton wrappers: Crisp up gorgeously in the oven, serving as a fun and unexpected taco shell replacement.
- Sweet chili sauce: The final drizzle adds sweet heat and brightness, making each bite pop.
- Chopped cilantro and sesame seeds: Fresh herbs and seeds add texture, flavor, and a beautiful finish.
Make It Your Way
I love making this recipe as-is, but one of the best things about Chicken Wonton Tacos with Asian Slaw Recipe is how easy it is to customize. You can swap the chicken for shrimp or tofu, spice up the slaw with crushed red pepper, or even try a peanut sauce drizzle for a nutty twist.
- Variation: Once, I tried adding shredded carrots and thin cucumber slices to the slaw for extra crunch and freshness — it turned out fantastic and was a great way to sneak in more veggies.
- Spice it up: Adding some sriracha or chili flakes into the chicken marinade gave a pleasant kick that made this an instant favorite with my spicy-food-loving friends.
- Swap the protein: Ground pork or even thinly sliced beef works beautifully in these as well — just adjust cooking time accordingly.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chicken Wonton Tacos with Asian Slaw Recipe
Step 1: Crispy Wonton Shells, Your New Taco Holder
First things first — preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly spray or brush each wonton wrapper with some oil and drape them over the edges of your baking dish. This shape is what gives the tacos their charming “shell” look. Keep a close eye on them and bake for about 7-8 minutes until they begin to turn golden and are just pliable. Once out of the oven, gently separate the wrappers while they’re still warm so they don’t tear. Bake again another 7-8 minutes until totally crispy and taco-ready. Trust me, this part always feels like magic!
Step 2: Flavor-Packed Chicken Filling
While your shells toast, toss the diced chicken with hoisin sauce, sesame oil, soy sauce, minced garlic, and fresh ginger in a large bowl. This marinade is what brings that classic Asian-inspired flavor we all crave. Heat a large skillet over high, then add the chicken mixture. Cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until the chicken is cooked through and beautifully glazed. The scent of ginger and sesame filling the kitchen is always a good sign that dinner’s going to be a hit!
Step 3: Bright and Tangy Asian Slaw
While the chicken cooks, whisk together the coleslaw bag, sliced green onions, sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and honey in a large bowl. This dressing is light but flavorful, with just the right balance of acid and sweetness. I sometimes add extra green onions or even a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if I want a little heat. Toss it all together well so every shred gets coated — this slaw really finishes the taco beautifully.
Step 4: Assemble and Drizzle
Once the components are ready, spoon the hot chicken filling into each crispy wonton shell. Top with a generous helping of the Asian slaw, then drizzle sweet chili sauce over the top. Finish by sprinkling chopped cilantro and toasted sesame seeds to make your tacos look as good as they taste. This assembly step is quick but delivers such satisfying layers of flavor and texture!
Top Tip
I’ve made these tacos countless times, and a few tricks have really helped me perfect this recipe. These tips save you time and avoid pitfalls so you can focus on enjoying your meal rather than stressing in the kitchen.
- Wonton Shell Handling: Warm the wrappers before pulling them apart; cold ones will break easily. Baking in two stages ensures perfect crispness with no sogginess.
- Chicken Size Matters: Dice your chicken small and uniform to ensure even cooking and that every bite is tender and coated with sauce.
- Slaw Dressing: Toss the slaw just before serving to keep it crunchy—letting it sit too long can make it soggy.
- Sweet Chili Sauce Drizzle: Add this right at the end to avoid steaming the wonton shells and losing that coveted crispiness.
How to Serve Chicken Wonton Tacos with Asian Slaw Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a big fan of finishing these with chopped fresh cilantro and toasted sesame seeds because they bring a fresh pop and a light crunch. Squeezing a little lime juice over the top just before serving adds a lively brightness that you won’t want to skip. Sometimes, I throw on thinly sliced red chili for a touch of color and heat.
Side Dishes
These tacos are great on their own, but I often serve them with simple steamed jasmine rice or a bowl of miso soup for a fuller meal. A side of edamame salad or pickled cucumbers keeps that fresh Asian vibe going and balances the richness of the chicken.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, I like plating these on a long, narrow platter with garnishes artistically scattered around. Serving with mini bowls of sweet chili sauce on the side lets guests customize their own heat level. You could even turn this into a fun DIY taco bar, offering different slaws, sauces, and proteins for variety.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover chicken filling and slaw separately in airtight containers in the fridge. The wonton shells are best fresh but can be stored in a paper towel-lined container to maintain some crispness if eaten within a day.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing the assembled tacos because the wonton shells lose their crisp texture, but you can freeze the cooked chicken filling tightly wrapped for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat the chicken filling in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through to keep it juicy and saucy. If you saved any wonton shells, warm them quickly in a 350°F oven for a few minutes to crisp back up before assembling.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, frozen chicken breasts can be used, but make sure they are fully thawed before dicing and cooking for even results. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight to keep food safety in check.
Most store-bought wonton wrappers contain wheat flour, so they are not gluten-free. For a gluten-free option, look for specialty gluten-free wrappers or consider using lettuce leaves as the taco shells for a fresh, gluten-free alternative.
Yes! You can prepare the slaw a few hours ahead, but keep the dressing separate until just before serving to prevent sogginess. Toss everything together when you’re ready to plate the tacos.
I recommend using a sweet Thai-style chili sauce—it’s sweet, mildly spicy, and slightly garlicky. You can find it in most grocery stores near the Asian sauces and condiments. It adds the perfect finishing punch to the tacos.
Final Thoughts
Making this Chicken Wonton Tacos with Asian Slaw Recipe always brings a smile to my face — it’s fun, vibrant, and so satisfying. It’s the perfect mix of crispy, sweet, savory, and fresh with each bite, and it’s easy enough to whip up anytime. I’m confident you’ll enjoy it as much as I do, whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or sharing it with friends around the table. Give it a try—I’m sure it’ll become a new favorite in your meal rotation!
Print
Chicken Wonton Tacos with Asian Slaw Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian-American
Description
These Applebee's Chicken Wonton Tacos are a delicious copycat recipe featuring tender honey-garlic chicken, zesty coleslaw, and crispy baked wonton shells. Perfect as a flavorful appetizer or main dish with a delightful Asian-inspired twist.
Ingredients
Chicken Mixture
- 2 chicken breasts, finely diced
- 2 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
Coleslaw
- 1 (397g) bag coleslaw
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
Other
- 16 Wonton wrappers
- Sweet chili sauce, to serve
- Chopped cilantro, to serve
- Sesame seeds, to serve
Instructions
- Prepare the wonton shells: Preheat the oven to 375 F. Spray the wonton wrappers with cooking spray or brush lightly with olive or canola oil. Drape them over the side of a 9x13 baking dish and bake for 7-8 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning. Remove from the oven, gently pull the shells apart while still pliable to make filling easier, then bake for another 7-8 minutes until crispy.
- Cook the chicken: In a large bowl, mix the diced chicken with hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, soy sauce, minced garlic, and ginger. Heat a large skillet over high heat and sauté the chicken for 7-8 minutes, tossing frequently until fully cooked through.
- Make the coleslaw: In a large bowl, combine the coleslaw mix, sliced green onions, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and honey. Toss well to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble the tacos: Spoon the cooked chicken mixture into the crispy wonton shells. Top each with a generous amount of coleslaw, then drizzle with sweet chili sauce. Garnish with chopped cilantro and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure to watch the wonton shells closely in the oven so they don’t burn, as baking time can vary by oven.
- You can substitute the chicken breasts with diced cooked shrimp or tofu for a variation.
- If preferred, lightly pan-fry the wonton wrappers instead of baking for an alternative crispy texture.
- Adjust the amount of sweet chili sauce to taste for more or less heat and sweetness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 957 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Leave a Reply