Healthy Oven-Baked Chicken Tacos Recipe
This Healthy Oven Baked Chicken Tacos recipe combines tender ground chicken seasoned with a flavorful blend of spices and mild enchilada sauce, baked inside gooey melted cheese-lined corn tortillas. A delicious, lighter take on classic tacos that’s easy to prepare, oven baked for a crispy, cheesy finish.
- Author: Jeannette
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 tacos 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Taco Filling
- 2 Tablespoons Avocado Oil, or substitute oil of choice
- 1 Onion, diced
- 3 Cloves Garlic, mashed
- 1 Pound Ground Chicken
- 2 Teaspoons Paprika
- 2 Teaspoons Cumin
- 1 Teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ Teaspoon Chipotle Pepper
- ½ Cup Mild Red Enchilada Sauce
Taco Shells
- 12 Thin Corn Tortillas, or tortillas of choice
- 1 ½ Cups Mexican-Blend Shredded Cheese
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) to prepare for baking the tacos later.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat 2 tablespoons of avocado oil in a pan over medium heat. Add diced onion and mashed garlic cloves, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Cook Ground Chicken: Add 1 pound of ground chicken to the pan, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon. Cook until almost fully done.
- Add Spices and Sauce: Stir in 2 teaspoons paprika, 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon chipotle pepper. Cook until chicken is fully cooked and spices are well integrated. Then pour in ½ cup mild red enchilada sauce and mix thoroughly, coating the meat evenly. Remove from heat.
- Prepare Tortillas: Wrap 12 thin corn tortillas in a damp towel and microwave for about 30 seconds until they are soft and pliable.
- Assemble Tacos: On one side of each softened tortilla, sprinkle some of the shredded Mexican cheese. Add a scoop of the prepared chicken filling on top, then sprinkle more cheese over the filling. Fold the tortilla over to enclose the filling and gently press to close.
- Arrange and Bake: Line the assembled tacos on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place a second baking sheet on top to keep the tacos upright. Place in the oven and bake for 18 minutes.
- Crisp with Broiler: Approximately 15 minutes into baking, remove the top baking sheet. Turn on the oven broiler and broil the tacos for 2-3 minutes until the tops are golden and crispy. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve and Store: Remove tacos from the oven and serve immediately. Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to five days and reheat as needed.
Notes
- You can substitute avocado oil with olive oil or any preferred cooking oil.
- If you prefer spicier tacos, increase the chipotle pepper amount or add some chili flakes.
- For gluten-free tacos, ensure tortillas are certified gluten-free if necessary.
- Use the broiler carefully to prevent burning the cheese topping.
- Leftover tacos reheat well in an oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.
Keywords: healthy chicken tacos, oven baked chicken tacos, ground chicken tacos, easy taco recipe, baked tacos, Mexican chicken tacos, low fat chicken tacos