{
“blog_html”: ”
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Make Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos at Home
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Are you ready to bring that coveted restaurant experience right into your kitchen? There’s something undeniably magical about Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos – that perfect harmony of crisp, golden wonton shells, a succulent, savory chicken filling, and a refreshing, tangy slaw all brought together with a creamy sriracha dressing. It’s a flavor explosion and a textural delight, creating an irresistible bite every single time. And guess what? Recreating this beloved dish at home is not only entirely feasible but also incredibly satisfying. Forget the wait times and enjoy this iconic appetizer whenever the craving strikes! For more easy and delicious recipes, be sure to See more easy recipes on our site!
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How This Recipe Works
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- This recipe masterfully blends the rich, umami flavors of Asian-inspired chicken with the delightful crunch of a taco shell, offering an unexpected and highly addictive combination.
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- We achieve the perfect texture balance by baking the wonton wrappers until they’re exquisitely crispy, providing a sturdy yet delicate vessel for the tender chicken and fresh slaw.
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- The flavor profile is a symphony of sweet, tangy, and savory notes, with a hint of spice from the sriracha dressing, ensuring every mouthful is vibrant and exciting.
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- By building the components separately, we ensure each element shines and maintains its integrity, preventing any dreaded sogginess until assembly.
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Ingredients and Smart Substitutions
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Here is what you need to create these incredible Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos and why each component is so crucial to the dish:
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Chicken: We’re aiming for about 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken, either breasts or thighs. Thighs will offer a slightly richer flavor and more tender texture. You can cook and shred this yourself, or for ultimate convenience, pick up a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. This will be the star of your taco, absorbing all those delicious Asian-inspired flavors.
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Soy Sauce: The backbone of our savory, umami flavor. Use a good quality low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness. If you’re gluten-intolerant, tamari is an excellent 1:1 substitute.
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Fresh Ginger: Don’t skip this! Freshly grated ginger provides a bright, pungent warmth that grounds the entire dish. Powdered ginger can be used in a pinch, but fresh is truly best here for maximum impact.
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Fresh Garlic: Minced garlic adds a sharp, aromatic depth. Again, fresh is key for the best flavor, but garlic powder can work in a pinch (about 1/2 teaspoon per clove).
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Brown Sugar: This adds a lovely touch of sweetness and helps to balance the savory and tangy elements, creating that signature sweet-and-savory profile typical in Asian-inspired dishes. Light or dark brown sugar works equally well.
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Rice Vinegar: Provides the essential tang and acidity, cutting through the richness of the chicken and balancing the sweetness. Don’t confuse it with regular white vinegar; rice vinegar has a milder, slightly sweeter profile.
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Sesame Oil: Just a touch of toasted sesame oil adds an incredible nutty aroma and flavor that’s instantly recognizable and deeply satisfying. A little goes a long way!
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Wonton Wrappers: The Crispy Foundation
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These thin, square pasta sheets are crucial for our “taco shell.” Look for them in the refrigerated section of your grocery store, usually near the tofu or fresh pasta. They bake up incredibly crispy and light, forming the perfect cup for our filling. We’ll be baking these, not frying, for a healthier and less messy result. Food Network has some great tips on working with wonton wrappers!
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Slaw Mix: Pre-Shredded for Convenience
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A bag of classic coleslaw mix (shredded green and red cabbage, and carrots) is your best friend here. It adds crunch, color, and a fresh vegetable component without any extra chopping. You could also shred your own cabbage and carrots if you prefer.
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Creamy Dressing: Mayo, Sriracha, Honey, Lime
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Mayonnaise: The base for our creamy, dreamy dressing. Use your favorite brand, full-fat or light, depending on your preference.
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Sriracha: This chili sauce brings the heat! Adjust the amount to your desired spice level. If you’re not a fan of sriracha, a touch of sweet chili sauce could work as well for a milder kick.
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Honey: Balances the acidity and spice of the sriracha, adding another layer of sweetness to the dressing.
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Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice brightens the dressing, adding a necessary zesty tang that completes the flavor profile. Bottled lime juice can be used, but fresh is always superior.
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Optional Garnish: Green Onions, Toasted Sesame Seeds
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These aren’t strictly necessary but add a wonderful textural contrast and visual appeal. Sliced green onions provide a fresh, mild oniony bite, and toasted sesame seeds offer a delicate crunch and nutty flourish.
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How to Make Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos
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Follow these simple steps to create your own restaurant-quality Chicken Wonton Tacos at home:
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1. Prepare the Chicken Filling: Cook, Flavor, and Shred
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First things first, let’s get that delicious chicken ready. If you’re cooking fresh chicken, simply poach or bake your chicken breasts or thighs until fully cooked. Let them cool slightly, then shred them using two forks or even a stand mixer with the paddle attachment for super easy shredding. In a medium skillet or wok, heat a drizzle of sesame oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant – don’t let it burn! Stir in the shredded chicken, soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has reduced and coated the chicken beautifully. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed; it should be savory with a hint of sweetness and tanginess. Set aside.
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2. Make the Creamy Sriracha Dressing
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While your chicken cools slightly, whip up the amazing sriracha dressing. In a small mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sriracha, honey, and fresh lime juice. Whisk everything together until it’s smooth and well combined. Give it a taste test! If you like more spice, add a little more sriracha. Prefer it sweeter? A touch more honey. Set this aside, or pop it in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble.
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3. Bake the Wonton Shells to Crispy Gold
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Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a muffin tin (turned upside down) or a taco shell baking rack with cooking spray. Gently drape a wonton wrapper over each cup of the inverted muffin tin, or place them into the taco rack, pressing gently to form a “taco” shape. You might need to do this in batches. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the wontons are beautifully golden brown and crisp. Keep a close eye on them, as they can burn quickly due to their thinness! Once baked, remove them from the oven and carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. They will crisp up even more as they cool.
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4. Assemble Your Tacos: Layering for Maximum Flavor
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Now for the best part – assembly! Take your cooled, crispy wonton shells. Fill each shell with a generous spoonful of the savory chicken mixture. Top the chicken with a sprinkle of the fresh coleslaw mix. Drizzle liberally with your creamy sriracha dressing. For that final touch, garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, if using. Serve immediately and watch them disappear!
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Expert Tips for Success
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- Don’t Overfill the Wontons: While tempting to load them up, overfilling can make the wonton shells difficult to eat and prone to breaking. Aim for a balanced amount of each component.
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- Bake Wontons Until Golden and Crisp: This is key to avoiding soggy tacos. A properly baked wonton will be light, airy, and hold its shape. Keep an eye on them, as oven temperatures vary.
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- Adjust Sweetness and Spice to Taste: The chicken filling and sriracha dressing are wonderfully customizable. Add more brown sugar or honey for sweetness, or extra sriracha for more heat.
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- Prep Ahead for Quick Assembly: The chicken filling and sriracha dressing can be made a day or two in advance. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Bake the wonton shells just before serving for ultimate crispness.
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- Use Fresh Ingredients: Especially for the ginger, garlic, and lime juice. The vibrant flavors of fresh ingredients truly elevate this dish from good to unforgettable.
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Storing and Reheating
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To keep your delicious Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos at their best, it’s crucial to store the components separately. Store the cooked chicken filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The sriracha dressing can also be stored in a separate airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. The plain, baked wonton shells are best stored at room temperature in an airtight container, ensuring they stay crisp. Do not refrigerate the wonton shells, as they will soften.
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When you’re ready for more tacos, simply reheat the chicken filling gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. The wonton shells can be re-crisped in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 3-5 minutes, or in an air fryer at 325°F (160°C) for 2-3 minutes, until lightly crisp again. Then, assemble as directed with fresh slaw and dressing. We do not recommend attempting to freeze any component of this recipe, as the textures will largely suffer upon thawing.
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What to Serve With Your Tacos
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These Chicken Wonton Tacos are quite satisfying on their own, but if you’re looking to round out your meal or serve them as part of a larger spread, here are some excellent pairings:
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- Light Asian-Inspired Salads: A simple cucumber salad with a rice vinegar dressing or a mixed green salad with mandarin oranges and a sesame-ginger vinaigrette would be perfect.
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- Edamame: Steamed and lightly salted edamame pods are a classic, healthy, and easy side dish that complements the flavors beautifully.
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- Spring Rolls or Egg Rolls: For an appetizer spread, serving these alongside fresh or fried spring rolls would create a delightful Asian-themed tapas experience.
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- Miso Soup: A light, savory miso soup would be a comforting start to the meal.
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- Rice Noodles or White Rice: If you want to make it a heartier meal, a side of plain steamed rice or a light rice noodle salad would be a great addition.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I use ground chicken?
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How do I prevent soggy wontons?
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Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
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What other toppings can I use?
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“recipe_card”: {
“title”: “Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos”,
“description”: “Recreate the iconic Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos at home with these easy-to-follow steps. Enjoy crispy wonton shells filled with savory Asian-spiced chicken, fresh slaw, and a creamy sriracha dressing.”,
“prep_time”: “20 mins”,
“cook_time”: “25 mins”,
“yield”: “12 tacos”,
“ingredients”: ”
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- For the Chicken Filling:
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- 1 tbsp sesame oil
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- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cooked and shredded
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- 2 cloves garlic, minced
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- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
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- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or Tamari for gluten-free)
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- 2 tbsp brown sugar
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- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
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- For the Wontons:
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- 24 wonton wrappers
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- Cooking spray
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- For the Creamy Sriracha Dressing:
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- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
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- 2-3 tbsp sriracha (or to taste)
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- 1 tbsp honey
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- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
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- For Assembly:
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- 3 cups pre-shredded coleslaw mix
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- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish, optional)
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- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)
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“,
“instructions”: ”
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- Prepare Chicken Filling: In a skillet, heat sesame oil over medium heat. Sauté garlic and ginger for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add shredded chicken, soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring until sauce reduces and coats chicken. Set aside.
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- Make Sriracha Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sriracha, honey, and lime juice until smooth. Taste and adjust spice/sweetness as desired.
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- Bake Wonton Shells: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray an inverted muffin tin or taco rack. Drape wonton wrappers over the cups or into the rack to form taco shapes. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Cool on a wire rack.
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- Assemble Tacos: Fill each cooled wonton shell with chicken filling. Top with coleslaw mix, then drizzle generously with sriracha dressing. Garnish with green onions and toasted sesame seeds, if using. Serve immediately.
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”
}
}
“`