If you have ever ordered an appetizer at Applebee’s, there is a very high chance you have tried and fallen in love with their famous Chicken Wonton Tacos. They are the perfect bite: a crispy, crunchy wonton shell filled with savory, sesame-infused chicken, topped with a bright, zesty Asian slaw, and finished with a drizzle of sweet chili sauce. It is a flavor explosion that leaves you wanting more.
But what if you didn’t have to leave your house (or pay restaurant prices) to enjoy them? This Copycat Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos recipe brings all those incredible flavors right into your own kitchen. It is much easier to make than you might think, and because we bake the wonton wrappers instead of deep-frying them, it is a lighter, less messy alternative that tastes just as spectacular.
Whether you are hosting a game day watch party, putting together an appetizer spread for the holidays, or just want a fun and unique weeknight dinner, these little Asian chicken tacos are guaranteed to be a massive hit.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Making restaurant copycat recipes at home is incredibly rewarding. Here is why this specific recipe will become a permanent fixture in your recipe box:
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Baked, Not Fried: Instead of dealing with vats of hot oil, we drape the wonton wrappers over a baking dish and bake them until crispy. It saves calories, eliminates the greasy mess, and yields the perfect taco shape every time.
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Incredible Flavor Profile: The marinade uses a blend of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, bringing a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and umami flavors to the chicken.
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Quick Cooking Time: Because the chicken is diced into very small pieces, it cooks in just a matter of minutes on the stovetop.
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Perfect for Parties: These are the ultimate finger food! If you’re planning a full party menu, serve these alongside other fun, portable treats like our Walking Strawberry Pretzel Salad.
Ingredients You Will Need
Do not let the ingredient list intimidate you; most of these are basic pantry staples you likely already have on hand!
For the Wonton Shells
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Wonton Wrappers: You can find these in the refrigerated produce section of most grocery stores.
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Cooking Spray: Essential for getting that perfect, golden-brown crunch in the oven.
For the Chicken and Marinade
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Chicken Breast: 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced very small (about ¼-inch pieces).
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Soy Sauce: 3 tablespoons for that classic salty depth.
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Hoisin Sauce: 2 tablespoons. This thick, sweet, and savory sauce is the secret ingredient for authentic flavor!
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Sesame Oil: 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame oil adds a nutty richness.
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Garlic & Ginger: 2 cloves of minced garlic and 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger for aromatic warmth.
For the Asian Slaw and Toppings
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Coleslaw Mix: 2 cups of shredded cabbage and carrot mix to save you from chopping.
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Slaw Dressing: 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon of sesame oil, and a pinch of sugar tossed with the cabbage.
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Green Onions & Cilantro: Freshly chopped for a bright, herby garnish.
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Sweet Chili Sauce: For drizzling over the top just before serving.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making these Applebee’s chicken wonton tacos involves three simple phases: baking the shells, cooking the chicken, and tossing the slaw.
1. Bake the Wonton Taco Shells
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish. Lightly spray both sides of your wonton wrappers with cooking spray. Gently drape the wrappers over the edges of the baking dish so they form an upside-down “U” shape (a taco shell shape). Bake for 5 to 7 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy. Keep a close eye on them, as they can burn quickly! Remove from the oven and let them cool so they hold their shape.
2. Marinate and Cook the Chicken
In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Add your finely diced chicken to the bowl and toss until every piece is well coated. You can let this sit for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a small drizzle of olive oil. Add the marinated chicken (along with the sauce) and cook for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently. Because the chicken is cut so small, it will cook very fast. The sauce will reduce and become slightly sticky, coating the chicken beautifully. Remove from heat.
3. Prepare the Slaw
In a separate small bowl, toss the coleslaw mix with the rice vinegar, sesame oil, and a pinch of sugar. Stir in half of your chopped cilantro and green onions, saving the rest for garnish.
4. Assemble the Tacos
Take your crispy wonton shells and fill the bottom of each with a generous spoonful of the sticky, savory chicken. Top the chicken with a pinch of the fresh, crunchy slaw. Drizzle a little sweet chili sauce over the top, and garnish with the remaining green onions and cilantro. Serve immediately while the chicken is hot and the shells are crunchy!
Copycat Applebee's Chicken Wonton Tacos
Ingredients
- 12 wonton wrappers
- cooking spray
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast diced into 1/4-inch pieces
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking
- 2 cups coleslaw mix shredded cabbage and carrots
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 1/4 cup green onions chopped
- sweet chili sauce for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray wonton wrappers lightly with cooking spray and drape over a baking dish edge to form taco shapes. Bake 5-7 minutes until crispy and golden, then cool.
- In a bowl, whisk soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Add diced chicken and toss to coat.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken and marinade for 4-6 minutes until cooked through and slightly sticky.
- In a bowl, combine coleslaw mix, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and half of the cilantro and green onions.
- Fill each wonton shell with chicken, then top with slaw.
- Drizzle with sweet chili sauce and garnish with remaining cilantro and green onions. Serve immediately.
Notes
Making a Complete Meal
While these tacos are traditionally an appetizer, you can easily turn them into a feast. If you want to follow them up with a comforting, hearty main course, our Cheddar Bay Hamburger Casserole is a fantastic, family-friendly option.
And of course, no meal is complete without dessert! If you are serving these at a summer gathering, finish the night with a show-stopping Patriotic Poke Cake.
Expert Tips for Success
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Dice the Chicken Small: The key to getting the right texture (and making sure it fits into the delicate wonton shells) is cutting the chicken into very small, uniform cubes.
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Do Not Overfill: Wonton shells are fragile. Add just enough chicken and slaw to fill the shell without splitting it at the bottom.
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Serve Immediately: Once you assemble the tacos, the moisture from the hot chicken and the slaw will slowly soften the wonton shell. Assemble them right before your guests are ready to eat for maximum crunch!