Description

These Cheesy Chipotle Chicken Tacos with a Crispy Crust are a flavorful and satisfying meal featuring tender chicken seasoned with smoky chipotle peppers and melted cheese. The hard corn taco shells offer a delightful crunch, perfectly complementing the spicy, cheesy filling. Garnished with fresh cilantro and served with lime wedges, these tacos deliver a delicious blend of textures and bold flavors ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or casual gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Mixture

1 pound Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast (Cut into small pieces for even cooking)
2-3 pieces Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce (Finely chopped, with 1 tablespoon of adobo sauce)
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder (Adds aromatic flavor)
1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 tablespoons Olive Oil (For cooking the chicken)

Cheese and Toppings

2 cups Shredded Cheese (Use a blend like cheddar and Monterey Jack)
1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro (Chopped, for garnish)
Lime Wedges (For serving, as needed)

Taco Shells

8-10 pieces Hard Corn Taco Shells (Recommended)

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Instructions

Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients and prepare them for cooking to ensure a smooth and efficient process.
Cut Chicken: Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into small, even pieces and pat them dry with a paper towel to promote even cooking and better searing.
Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and sear them for 3-4 minutes, allowing a golden crust to develop on the outside.
Season Chicken: Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and ground cumin. Continue cooking until the chicken is fully cooked through, ensuring it is no longer pink inside.
Add Chipotle Peppers: Stir in finely chopped chipotle peppers along with 1 tablespoon of adobo sauce into the skillet. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to meld the smoky, spicy flavors into the chicken.
Melt Cheese into Chicken: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 1.5 cups of shredded cheese until it melts and combines well with the chicken mixture.
Preheat Taco Shells: Warm the hard corn taco shells according to the package instructions to get them crispy and ready for filling.
Assemble Tacos: Spoon the cheesy chipotle chicken mixture into each taco shell, then top with the remaining shredded cheese for extra cheesy goodness.
Melt Cheese Topping: Place the assembled tacos on a baking sheet and put them in the oven until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden, creating a crispy crust.
Garnish and Serve: Remove tacos from the oven, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, and serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for a fresh, zesty finish.

Notes

For extra heat, add more chipotle peppers or a dash of hot sauce.
You can substitute the chicken with turkey or a plant-based protein for variation.
Use a blend of cheeses to enhance the flavor and meltability.
Make sure not to overfill the taco shells to keep them from breaking.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to keep the crust crispy.