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Switching up taco night with these Crispy Cheese Chicken Tacos with Avocado Cilantro Sauce. Ground chicken (or beef) seasoned with smoky chipotle chilies and enchilada sauce and stuffed into tortillas. The tortillas are then pan-fried in a layer of jalapeños and cheese until the cheese on the outside becomes crispy all around. Unique and so delicious. They’re crunchy on the outside, cheesy and spicy inside. Serve with the most delicious creamy avocado Verde sauce. Fun yummy tacos any night of the week!

Crispy Cheese Chicken Tacos with Avocado Cilantro Sauce | halfbakedharvest.com

I came prepared for Cinco de Mayo this year with tacos all around! I’ve always found Cinco de Mayo to be such a fun low-key, laid-back holiday. It’s a great excuse to enjoy a Mexican-inspired fiesta mid-week that’s made complete with tacos and a round of margaritas.

And let’s all be honest, Cinco de Mayo really is so much fun.

Sure, I have a ton of taco recipes on the site, but something new is always good. When I made these tacos a couple of weeks ago, I literally could not wait to share them. These tacos are delicious, fun, unique, and different.

Crispy Cheese Chicken Tacos with Avocado Cilantro Sauce | halfbakedharvest.com

I took inspiration from the burrito recipe I shared a couple of months ago. Do you remember the one I wrapped up in a layer of cheese?

I figured I could probably do the same with a taco! When I had the idea, how could I not give it a try? I came up with a filling, decided on a sauce, and then started making tacos. And wow, these tacos actually turned out better than the burritos. It’s that layer of crispy cheese. So delicious when wrapped around a saucy taco. And the sauce? While it completes the meal. You can’t skip the sauce!

Crispy Cheese Chicken Tacos with Avocado Cilantro Sauce | halfbakedharvest.com

The details on these tacos

The tacos themselves are really pretty simple, but definitely not basic. I’m loving using enchilada sauce in my recipes these days. To keep the ingredient list short I made the taco meat with a combination of dry chipotle chili powder and then saucy red enchilada sauce. If you enjoy a chicken tinga taco, you will love these.

For the meat, more times than not I’ll use ground beef or chicken. My brothers love ground beef, but they enjoy the chicken too. I recommend using what your family prefers, both are equally great.

Crispy Cheese Chicken Tacos with Avocado Cilantro Sauce | halfbakedharvest.com

Before you start cooking the tacos, make the avocado sauce. You can’t have tacos without a good sauce, this has become a new favorite in our house.

It’s a mix of avocado, blended with salsa verde, cilantro, and just a touch of yogurt or sour cream for an added layer of richness and creaminess. It’s perfect and a great creamy sauce to serve with crispy tacos like these.

This next part is a little unconventional, but don’t stress, I promise it’s not fancy and easier than you think. I always assemble the tacos first, stuffing them with the meat and a sprinkle of cheese.

Then, grab your favorite blend of Mexican cheeses, just be sure to use a combination of cheeses that melt well. I use pepper jack, Monterey jack, and cheddar. Take your skillet and add a few jalapeño slices. Now sprinkle the cheese over top of the slices. For my fam, the jalapeños are key – you guys know we love a little heat!

Crispy Cheese Chicken Tacos with Avocado Cilantro Sauce | halfbakedharvest.com

Place a taco over the cheese and cook until the cheese gets crispy. When the cheese starts melting, you can flop the crispy cheese around the taco using a spatula. I took some photos for visuals and will have a story on Instagram too!

Serve these warm, just off the skillet with lots of that avocado sauce on the side. So darn delicious. Everyone couldn’t get over how delicious these tacos are…and fun too!  They’re pretty hard to beat.

Creighton wasn’t in town the week I made these, but he’s here this week. So I’ll be making these for dinner tomorrow for sure!

Not a fancy, done-up taco, just some really delicious food. These tacos are one of those dinners that everyone loves! And that layer of crispy cheese is kind of a shocker – but in the very best way!

Crispy Cheese Chicken Tacos with Avocado Cilantro Sauce | halfbakedharvest.com
 

Looking for other Mexican recipes? Here are my favorites: 

Easy Skillet Chicken Tinga Enchiladas

Crispy Cheese Poblano Avocado Burrito

One Skillet White Chicken Chili Bake

Crockpot Crispy Chicken Tinga Tacos with Avocado Jalapeño Crema

Sheet Pan Chipotle Salmon Tacos with Pineapple Jalapeño Salsa

Crispy Cauliflower Tinga Tacos with Honey Lime Avocado Crema

Lastly, if you make these Crispy Cheese Chicken Tacos with Avocado Cilantro Sauce be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Crispy Cheese Chicken Tacos with Avocado Cilantro Sauce

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 737 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Avocado Cilantro Sauce

Instructions

  • 1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over high heat. Add the meat and onion. Cook, breaking up the meat as it cooks, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add the chipotle chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and salt. Add the enchilada sauce. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the sauce has thickened slightly around the meat, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
    2. To make the avocado sauce. Combine all ingredients in a blender, blend until creamy. Season with salt.
    3. To make the tacos. Layer the meat and a sprinkle of cheese to one side of the tortilla. Try not to over stuff the tacos. Fold the tortilla over the ingredients. Repeat with remaining tortillas and ingredients.
    4. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Arrange 2-3 jalapeño slices in a line in the skillet. Sprinkle over 1/3 cup cheese in 3-4 inch circle/square. Place 1 taco to 1 side of the cheese round. Cook 3-5 minutes. When the cheese starts to crisp on the bottom, use a spatula to gently wrap the taco up in the cheese. Continue to cook 3-4 minutes, until crisped all over.
    5. Serve warm with avocado sauce and any amount of desired toppings, whatever you love!
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Crispy Cheese Chicken Tacos with Avocado Cilantro Sauce | halfbakedharvest.com

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    These are absolutely fantastic! I loved the taco, and the avocado cilantro sauce is soooo good. I didn’t watch the video of these being made, so the part where you put the cheese in the skillet and eventually wrap the taco in the cheese was confusing to me. After 1 unsuccessful attempt, the rest turned out great. I don’t think I let the cheese crisp enough on the first attempt. So I highly recommend watching the video if you can. I will be making these again?

    Also, I double checked to make sure the video wasn’t on your website. Do you post videos besides on Instagram? I don’t have social media, but would like to see videos if I can. Thanks!

    1. And I do see now there’s a video on here. Apologies! I didn’t see it the other day.

    2. Hey Kristen,
      Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try and sharing your feedback! I love to hear that it was a hit! We are trying to add as many videos to the actual recipe posts themselves, but I always post a video on IG with each new recipe:) xTieghan

    1. Hi Hali,
      A few things work best for me, I always warm and coat the tortillas before filling them, I also make sure not to overstuff them. If that doesn’t help, I would try a different brand of tortillas next time. Please let me know if this helps! xx

    1. Hi Sue,
      Thanks so much for your comment and sharing your feedback! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit and thanks for making it! xTieghan

  2. 5 stars
    Just made these tacos tonight! I used turkey and tasted delicious, my kids and husband all enjoyed them. Thank you so much!

    1. Hey Gina,
      Happy Sunday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan

  3. 5 stars
    Made these with ground pork, really delicious! Didn’t have ingredients for the avocado sauce, so made your homemade ranch instead and paired wonderfully.

    1. Hi Hannah,
      Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe, I love to hear that it was a hit! Have the best weekend!? xxTieghan

  4. 5 stars
    The SAUCE!!! These were soooo good and easy to make. I used pulled pork for the meat filling and it was ?

    1. Hey Christina,
      Happy Friday!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xT

  5. 5 stars
    I didn’t make this exact recipe for tacos, but I did use this technique of making the crispy, cheesy outer crust on the taco shell for a different recipe. I’m wondering why it took me this long to try it. This is a revelation. I cannot believe how delicious it is and it elevates any taco. So, so good. Absolutely recommend it.

    1. Hey Amy,
      LOL so glad you enjoyed the crispy cheese method! Thanks for giving it a try! xTieghan

  6. Excited to try this! Any suggestions for substituting the avocado in this recipe? Thanks 🙂

    1. Hey Kate,
      You can just omit the avocado. I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you, let me know if you give it a try!! xx

  7. 5 stars
    I was struggling with wrapping the melted cheese around the taco (and when I made your burritos) but found that using one of those silicone grill sheets on top of a grill pan is pure magic. You can grab the silicone sheet and roll the taco over. Easy peasy.

    1. Hey Katherine,
      Awesome!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a try! Thanks for the tip! xx

  8. Hi Teigan!

    These look delicious like all of your other recipes, however I still don’t see an instruction video on IG for how to crisp up the cheesy jalapeño in the pan. This step is a little confusing/intimidating to me, an example would be great!

    1. Hi Naya,
      You are just going to sprinkle the cheese onto your skillet to allow it to melt and crisp and then lay or tortilla on top of that. I hope this makes sense! xTieghan

  9. 5 stars
    The individual cooking of each taco was time consuming, but man was it worth it. Loved the jalapenos cooked into the crispy cheese. I thought your cauliflower tacos were the bomb. Now they have serious competition!

    1. Hey Dana,
      Wonderful!! Thank you so much for making the recipe, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed!! Have the best week:) xxT

  10. 5 stars
    Made these last night for dinner with some left over rotisserie chicken and let’s just say I couldn’t get a picture to post because my boyfriend kept eating them as I made them. Lol. Definitely a go to and so easy to make!

    1. My teen son literally exclaimed – out loud – how good these were last night at dinner! Love these with the sauce

      1. Hey there,
        Thanks for your comment! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed:) Have a great weekend! xxTieghan

    2. Hey Chyna,
      Thanks for your comment! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed:) Have a great weekend! xxTieghan

    1. Hi Amber,
      The instructions for that are in step 3. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love the recipe! xx

    1. Hey Roxy,
      Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a go! xxT

  11. 5 stars
    I made a chicken fajita version of this tonight and my son in law said it was “pure magic”. The cheese under the tortilla was brilliant!!! You are such an inspiration. I tagged you in my post. Pictures do not do this justice and the avocado cilantro sauce was divine! Happy Cinco de Mayo!

    1. Hey Ginny,
      Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a go! xxT