Of course! Chicken Taco Wonton Cupcakes are a brilliant and fun appetizer or easy dinner idea. They combine the delicious flavors of a chicken taco with the convenient, finger-food format of a baked wonton cup. They’re a huge hit for parties, game day, or a fun family meal.
Here’s a detailed and delicious recipe for you.
Chicken Taco Wonton Cupcakes
These are essentially individual, deconstructed tacos baked in a muffin tin with a crispy wonton wrapper crust.
Yield: 12 wonton cupcakes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
Servings: 4-6 as an appetizer
Ingredients
For the Wonton Cups:
· 12 square wonton wrappers
· Cooking spray or olive oil
For the Chicken Taco Filling:
· 1 tablespoon olive oil
· 1 lb (450g) ground chicken (or shredded cooked chicken)
· 1 small onion, finely diced
· 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade seasoning)
· ½ cup water
· 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or a Mexican blend, divided
For the Toppings & Garnish:
· ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
· 1 cup shredded lettuce (like romaine or iceberg)
· 1 large tomato, diced
· ½ cup sliced black olives
· ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
· Sliced jalapeños (optional, for heat)
· Salsa and/or hot sauce for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a 12-cup standard muffin tin with cooking spray.
- Form the Wonton Cups: Gently press one wonton wrapper into each cup of the muffin tin, letting the corners stick up and out. This creates the “cup” shape. Lightly spray the wrappers with cooking spray to help them brown and crisp up.
- Make the Filling:
· If using ground chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the ground chicken and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
· If using shredded cooked chicken: Sauté the onion in the oil until soft, then add the shredded chicken to warm through.
· For both: Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the chicken and onion. Pour in the ½ cup of water. Stir and simmer for 3-5 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Remove from heat. - Assemble the Cups:
· Sprinkle a small pinch of cheese into the bottom of each wonton cup (this helps “glue” the filling in place).
· Divide the chicken taco filling evenly among the 12 cups.
· Top each cup with the remaining shredded cheese. - Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the wonton edges are golden brown and crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cool Slightly: Let the wonton cupcakes cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. This allows the cups to set and makes them easier to remove. Use a small offset spatula or a butter knife to gently loosen and lift them out.
- Top and Serve: Arrange the wonton cupcakes on a serving platter. Let everyone top their own, or top them with a dollop of sour cream, shredded lettuce, diced tomato, olives, cilantro, and jalapeños. Serve immediately.
Why This Recipe Works: Tips & Variations
· Prevent Sogginess: The key to a crispy cup is to ensure your filling isn’t too wet. Make sure the taco meat mixture has thickened nicely before spooning it into the cups.
· Don’t Overbake: Wonton wrappers cook quickly. Keep an eye on them towards the end of the baking time to prevent the edges from burning.
· Make-Ahead: You can assemble the cups (without baking) up to a day in advance. Cover the muffin tin tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Bake straight from the fridge, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time if needed.
· Endless Filling Variations:
· Beef: Use ground beef or turkey instead of chicken.
· Black Bean & Corn: For a vegetarian version, use a mixture of rinsed black beans, corn, and taco seasoning.
· Buffalo Chicken: Mix shredded chicken with buffalo sauce and top with blue cheese crumbles and ranch.
· Breakfast Version: Fill with scrambled eggs, cooked crumbled bacon or sausage, and cheese.
These Chicken Taco Wonton Cupcakes are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. They’re fun, customizable, and deliver all the taco flavor in one perfectly crispy, handheld bite