Crispy Chicken Wonton Tacos (Printer-friendly)

Golden wonton shells filled with spicy ginger chicken, crisp slaw, and sriracha mayo. A vibrant, flavorful, and textured bite.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Chicken

01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 1 lb), cut into ½-inch strips
02 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
03 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
04 - 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
05 - 1 garlic clove, minced
06 - ½ teaspoon kosher salt
07 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Seasoning Blend for Chicken

08 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
09 - ½ teaspoon paprika
10 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
11 - ¼ teaspoon onion powder

→ For the Tacos

12 - 24 wonton wrappers
13 - Vegetable oil for frying (about 2 cups)

→ Slaw & Garnishes

14 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage
15 - ½ cup shredded carrots
16 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
17 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves
18 - 1 lime, cut into wedges

→ Spicy Mayo Sauce

19 - ½ cup mayonnaise
20 - 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
21 - 1 teaspoon honey
22 - 1 teaspoon lime juice
23 - Pinch of salt

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Add chicken strips, toss to coat, cover, and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes or up to 2 hours.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sriracha, honey, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
03 - Remove marinated chicken from the refrigerator. Sprinkle with chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss to evenly coat all strips.
04 - Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat to 350°F. Working in batches, carefully fry 6 wonton wrappers at a time for about 30 seconds per side, until golden brown and crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to cool; they will form taco shells.
05 - Heat a large nonstick skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil. Arrange chicken strips in a single layer and cook 3–4 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Transfer to a plate and let rest for 2 minutes.
06 - Gently shape each crispy wonton into a taco shell. Spread about 1 teaspoon spicy mayo on the bottom of each shell. Fill with shredded cabbage and carrots, then top with chicken strips. Drizzle with extra spicy mayo. Garnish with green onions and cilantro.
07 - Arrange tacos on a platter with lime wedges. Squeeze lime juice over tacos just before eating.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The crispy wonton shells stay shatteringly crunchy even after theyre loaded down with all the toppings
  • That smoky spicy chicken has just enough heat to make things interesting without overwhelming the fresh slaw
  • People literally gasp when they see these on a platter, but theyre easier to make than they look
02 -
  • The wonton shells lose their crunch faster than you think so fry them right before you plan to assemble
  • Do not overload the tacos or the delicate shells will crack under the pressure
  • Let the chicken rest before cutting into it or all those juices will end up on your cutting board instead of in your taco
03 -
  • Set up your assembly line in advance so you can work quickly once the chicken and wontons are ready
  • Keep a pair of tongs specifically for the frying oil so you do not cross contaminate with the raw chicken
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