Crispy Asian Chicken Wonton Tacos

If you’ve ever craved a dish that delivers both a crispy crunch and a savory punch, you need to try these Crispy Asian Chicken Wonton Tacos. Inspired by the beloved (and discontinued) Applebee’s appetizer, these tacos combine Asian-fusion flair with the handheld convenience of a taco.

Whether you’re hosting a game day party, need a fun dinner idea, or want a new go-to appetizer, this recipe brings restaurant-quality food straight to your kitchen.

These tacos feature caramelized chicken, a zingy sesame slaw, and perfectly crisp wonton shells. Plus, they’re easy to customize with your favorite toppings and sauces.

🧄 Bonus: You can make your own sesame ginger dressing at home to keep it extra fresh and flavorful.

🥢 Part 1: Ingredients, Preparation & Step-by-Step Instructions

🔥 Why You’ll Love These Wonton Tacos

Crispy, flavor-packed, and easy to eat

Perfect as a main dish or appetizer
Highly customizable

Copycat of a fan-favorite Applebee’s classic

🛒 Ingredients Breakdown For Crispy Asian Chicken Wonton Tacos

Here’s everything you’ll need to make about 10 Crispy Asian Chicken Wonton Tacos:

The Chicken & Marinade

1 lb chicken breast, diced

½ cup stir fry sauce
¼ cup sesame ginger dressing
2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp vegetable oil (for frying chicken)

For the Coleslaw

1 cup shredded cabbage

¼ cup shredded carrots
2 tbsp sesame ginger dressing

For the Wonton Shells

10 square wonton wrappers

Vegetable or canola oil for deep frying

Optional Toppings

Fresh cilantro
Lime wedges

Red pepper flakes
Sesame seeds
Sweet chili sauce

🍳 Need help with frying technique? Check out this Taste of Home guide on frying wontons.

🍳 Tools You’ll Need

Candy thermometer (to monitor oil temperature)
Large skillet or wok

Mixing bowls
Tongs
Paper towels (for draining oil)

🥡 Step-by-Step Instructions Of Crispy Asian Chicken Wonton Tacos

1. Marinate the Chicken

Combine chicken, stir fry sauce, sesame ginger dressing, soy sauce, and brown sugar.
Let it sit for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours) in the refrigerator.

2. Make the Asian Slaw

Mix cabbage, carrots, and sesame ginger dressing.

Store in fridge to let the flavors blend.

3. Fry the Wonton Shells

Heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (use a thermometer!).
Gently fold wontons into a taco shape using tongs.

Fry until golden brown, flipping halfway.
Drain on paper towels.

You can also try a similar shell-crunch in these Crab Rangoon Egg Rolls — perfect as a side to this dish.

4. Cook the Chicken

Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a pan on medium-high heat.
Add marinated chicken and cook until browned and slightly caramelized.

5. Assemble the Tacos

Place a spoonful of chicken in each wonton shell.

Top with slaw and garnish with cilantro and lime.
Serve immediately for maximum crispiness!

🧂 Part 2: Variations, Storage, Tips & FAQs

🍱 Serving Suggestions

Crispy Asian Chicken Wonton Tacos are incredibly versatile, making them perfect for a variety of occasions—from casual weeknight dinners to appetizer spreads at parties. Here are several creative and delicious ways to serve them.

🧆 As a Party Appetizer

Serve these tacos as bite-sized starters at gatherings. Since the wonton shells are small and crispy, they’re perfect for finger food. Arrange them on a large platter with small bowls of dipping sauces like:

Sweet chili sauce
Spicy mayo

Soy-ginger glaze

Add toothpicks for easy handling, and garnish the tray with lime wedges and chopped scallions for presentation.

🍽️ As a Main Dish

Make them the star of your dinner by serving 3–4 tacos per person alongside Asian-inspired sides:

Steamed jasmine rice or garlic fried rice
Edamame with sea salt
Spicy sesame noodles

Asian cucumber salad

For extra protein or variety, offer a second filling like crispy tofu or shrimp.

🌮 Fusion Taco Bar

Turn your meal into a DIY experience by creating a fusion taco bar. Lay out:

Pre-fried wonton shells
Different protein options (e.g., teriyaki chicken, bang bang shrimp)
Toppings like slaw, avocado slices, red onions, crushed peanuts, cilantro

Sauces: hoisin, spicy mayo, soy glaze

This setup is perfect for family dinners, game nights, or casual gatherings where guests build their own tacos.

No matter how you serve them, these tacos deliver a mouthwatering crunch and a flavor punch that’s sure to impress.

🧊 Storage & Reheating Tips

To enjoy your Crispy Asian Chicken Wonton Tacos at their best, storing and reheating them properly is key. Because the taco shells are made from fried wonton wrappers, they can easily lose their crispness if not handled with care. Here’s how to keep every element fresh and delicious.

🥡 Storage Guidelines

1. Store components separately:
Never store fully assembled tacos. The moisture from the chicken and slaw will quickly turn the crispy shells soggy. Instead, separate everything:

Chicken: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

Slaw: Keep in a sealed container for 2–3 days, but note that it may lose crunch after the first day.
Wonton shells: Cool completely, then store in a paper towel–lined container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Avoid refrigeration, which introduces moisture.

🔥 Reheating Instructions

1. Chicken:
Reheat in a skillet over medium heat for best texture, allowing the marinade to re-caramelize. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between.

2. Wonton shells:
Place on a baking sheet and reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes. This restores crispness without burning them.

3. Assembly:
Reassemble just before serving. Add reheated chicken to crisped shells, top with fresh or refreshed slaw, and enjoy immediately.

With proper storage and reheating, you can keep these crispy tacos tasting fresh and restaurant-quality—right from your fridge to your plate.

✨ Tips for The Best Crispy Asian Chicken Wonton Tacos

To make the most out of your Crispy Asian Chicken Wonton Tacos, follow these tried-and-true tips. These small details will elevate your dish from homemade to restaurant-worthy in both flavor and presentation.

🔪 Prep Like a Pro

Cut the chicken into small, uniform pieces to ensure quick, even cooking and better caramelization.
Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to absorb deeply. Overnight marination yields the boldest taste.

🥬 Make the Slaw Ahead

Preparing the slaw in advance allows the dressing to soak into the cabbage and carrots, creating a more cohesive and flavorful bite.
Use fresh, crunchy cabbage (not pre-bagged if possible) for best texture.

🍳 Master the Wonton Shells

Fry wontons at 350°F (175°C) — too hot and they burn, too cool and they absorb oil.

Use tongs to carefully shape them into taco shells while frying. You can also use a taco mold or press them gently over a spatula handle for consistent shaping.

🔥 Cook the Chicken Right

Cook over medium-high heat to achieve that irresistible caramelized finish on the chicken. Avoid overcrowding the pan, which can cause steaming instead of searing.

🕒 Assemble Just Before Serving

Keep components separate until ready to eat. This preserves the crispiness of the wonton shells and the freshness of the slaw.

By following these tips, you’ll create tacos that are crispy, savory, and packed with flavor — every single time.

🌮 Creative Variations

Want to mix it up? Try these twists:

Substitute chicken with shrimp, ground turkey, or tofu

Drizzle with sweet chili sauce or sriracha mayo
Add avocado slices or shredded cheese
Use air fryer for healthier wonton shells

🌿 Healthier Options

Looking to enjoy Crispy Asian Chicken Wonton Tacos without the extra calories? Good news — there are several simple tweaks to lighten up the recipe without sacrificing flavor or crunch.

🍗 Lean Protein Alternatives

Use boneless, skinless chicken breast or swap in ground turkey, tofu, or even cauliflower for a plant-based option.
Skip the frying and grill or bake the chicken for a cleaner cooking method that still delivers great flavor.

🧇 Wonton Shell Swaps

Instead of deep frying, air fry the wonton wrappers at 375°F for 3–5 minutes until golden and crisp. It drastically reduces oil while keeping the crunch.
You can also bake the wrappers over the edge of a muffin tin to form taco shapes with little or no oil.

🥗 Lighter Slaw and Sauces

Use a low-fat or yogurt-based sesame dressing to cut back on saturated fat.

Add extra veggies like cucumber, red cabbage, or radishes to bulk up the slaw without extra calories.
Use a splash of fresh lime juice instead of heavy sauces for added zing.

With these adjustments, you can enjoy a guilt-free version of your favorite Asian fusion taco that still satisfies your cravings — crunch, flavor, and all.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Crispy Asian Chicken Wonton Tacos

Q: Did Applebee’s discontinue their chicken wonton tacos?
A: Yes, Applebee’s removed them from their menu around 2020 — which is why this copycat is a must-make!

Q: How do I keep the wonton shells crispy?
A: Don’t assemble until just before serving. Also, fry them until fully golden and let them drain well.

Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: Yes — prep the chicken and slaw in advance, but always fry and fill the shells fresh.

Q: What are some extra toppings I can add?
A: Try avocado, sesame seeds, spicy mayo, or even pickled onions.

Q: Can I bake instead of fry the wontons?
A: Yes! Bake at 375°F over taco molds or inverted muffin tins until crisp — though they’ll be a bit less crunchy.

🏁 Final Thoughts

If you’re craving something bold, flavorful, and a little bit fun, these Crispy Asian Chicken Wonton Tacos are the answer. With their golden-brown wonton shells, savory marinated chicken, and refreshing sesame slaw, they offer a perfect balance of textures and flavors in every bite. Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer for game day or making them the centerpiece of a weeknight dinner, this recipe brings the vibrant flair of Asian-fusion cuisine right into your home kitchen.

Not only are these tacos easy to customize with your favorite toppings—like avocado, sweet chili sauce, or spicy mayo—but they’re also quick to prepare if you make the slaw and chicken ahead. And if you’re a fan of restaurant-style food done right at home, this dish is an ideal starting point.

Pair them with other crispy favorites like bang bang salmon bites or crab rangoon egg rolls, and you’ve got a table full of crunchy, crowd-pleasing magic. From the first crackle of the shell to the last savory bite, this dish delivers on both taste and texture.

So go ahead—grab those wonton wrappers, turn up the heat, and let these crispy chicken tacos steal the show. You won’t regret it.