The Best Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos – A Flavor-Packed Recipe to Delight Your Taste Buds
If you’ve ever visited Applebee’s and ordered their irresistible Chicken Wonton Tacos, you already know why this dish has achieved near-legendary status. Crispy wonton taco shells, tender chicken glazed in a sticky Asian-inspired sauce, a bright crunchy slaw, and a garnish of fresh cilantro all come together in a perfect bite. The combination of sweet, savory, tangy, and crunchy is hard to beat. The great news? You can easily recreate this iconic appetizer at home — and with this detailed recipe, you might even find it becomes better than the restaurant version.
Recreating copycat dishes is one of the easiest ways to bring restaurant-style charm straight into your kitchen. What makes Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos so delightful is the texture contrast. A crisp wonton shell gives you that satisfying crunch, while the chicken is juicy and flavorful thanks to a soy-ginger marinade. The cool slaw adds freshness, balancing the richness. Every component matters, but none of them are difficult to make. This recipe walks you step-by-step through cooking the chicken, forming the wonton shells, mixing the slaw, and assembling the tacos like a pro.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced or cut into small chunks
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon oil for cooking
For the Wonton Taco Shells
- 12–16 square wonton wrappers
- Nonstick spray or a little oil
- Muffin tin (for shaping)
For the Asian Slaw
- 1 cup shredded coleslaw mix (cabbage + carrots)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons mayo (optional for a creamier slaw)
- Pinch of salt
Toppings
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Sesame seeds
- Sliced green onions
- Extra sweet chili sauce (optional)
How to Make The Best Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos
This recipe has four main steps — marinating and cooking the chicken, crisping the wonton shells, mixing the slaw, and assembling. When the components come together, the flavor is unforgettable.
1. Prepare the Chicken Marinade
The heart of this dish is the glazed chicken, so a flavorful marinade is essential. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. This mixture is sweet, salty, and aromatic — exactly what the original dish tastes like.
Add the diced chicken into the marinade, coating all pieces evenly. Let it sit for at least 20–30 minutes, though an hour will give even more depth. Because the chicken is cut small, it absorbs flavor quickly, making this step efficient even if you’re short on time.
2. Cook the Chicken
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add a splash of oil and pour in the marinated chicken. You’ll hear a quick sizzle — that caramelization will help intensify flavor. Cook until the pieces are browned and fully done, usually about 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
As the chicken cooks, the marinade will reduce into a glossy, sticky glaze. This glaze coats the chicken beautifully, making it perfect for spooning into the crunchy wonton shells. Once done, remove from heat and set aside.
3. Make the Wonton Taco Shells
This is the part that gives the dish its signature touch. Luckily, making the shells is simple.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Take a muffin tin and flip it upside down. Spray the back with nonstick spray. Lay each wonton wrapper over the space between two muffin cups, creating a gentle taco shape.
Bake for 6–8 minutes, or until the wontons turn golden and crispy. Watch them closely — they can go from perfect to burnt quickly.
Once done, let them cool on a wire rack. They will harden further as they cool, giving that addictive crunch you want.
4. Prepare the Asian Slaw
To balance the savory chicken and crispy wontons, a fresh, tangy slaw is essential. In a bowl, whisk rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, and mayo (if using). Toss the shredded cabbage/carrot mix into the dressing.
The slaw should be bright, lightly dressed, and crunchy. Set it aside to let the flavors mingle while you prepare the rest of the dish.
5. Assemble the Chicken Wonton Tacos
Now comes the best part — putting it all together.
Take a crispy wonton shell and spoon in a small amount of slaw. This layer keeps the wonton from getting soggy and gives the taco a base.
Add a generous spoonful of the glazed chicken. Drizzle with a bit of sweet chili sauce if you want extra sweetness and heat.
Garnish with chopped cilantro, green onions, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. The fresh herbs brighten the dish, while sesame adds a nutty note.
Repeat with remaining shells until you’ve assembled your beautiful tray of wonton tacos.
Serving Suggestions
These Chicken Wonton Tacos are ideal for parties, game nights, or as a fun dinner. They’re finger-friendly, eye-catching, and everyone loves them. Serve with:
- Sweet chili dipping sauce
- Soy-lime mayo drizzle
- A side of fried rice or Asian noodles
For an even more Applebee’s-style presentation, arrange the tacos upright and garnish the plate with extra cilantro and lime wedges.
Tips for Success
✔ Don’t skip the muffin-tin trick — it makes the shells perfect.
✔ Make the chicken saucy, not dry. If the pan dries out, add a teaspoon of water or soy sauce.
✔ Add the slaw right before serving to keep the shells crispy.
✔ Double the batch for parties — these disappear fast.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
What makes these wonton tacos so special is their balance. The crunchy shell contrasts beautifully with the tender, savory chicken. The slaw brightens the dish with acidity, and the toppings bring freshness and color. Every bite is a little explosion of textures and flavors.
Most importantly, you can customize everything — make them sweeter, spicier, tangier, or even swap chicken for shrimp, tofu, or beef. The versatility and fun presentation make this one of the most satisfying appetizers to recreate at home