Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos

These Applebee's Chicken Wonton Tacos are the perfect copycat, filled with honey-garlic chicken and zesty slaw in a crispy wonton shell.

Whether you’re whipping them up for a quick dinner, a fun appetizer, or a party snack, these tacos are sure to impress. Plus, they’re easy to customize with your favorite toppings!

Why you'll love this recipe

• Crispy and delicious: These golden wonton shells are filled with honey-garlic chicken and tangy slaw for the ultimate crunch.
• Great for entertaining: A fun, crowd-pleasing appetizer or main dish perfect for sharing!

Ingredients and substitutions

Chicken

• Chicken breasts – if you prefer dark meat, you can use boneless chicken thighs instead.
• Hoisin sauce – if you don't have hoisin sauce, you can use bean paste or 2 tbsp honey and 1 tbsp soy sauce mixed together.
• Sesame oil – you can try using a neutral cooking oil like olive oil or avocado oil instead.
• Soy sauce – tamari or coconut aminos are the best substitutes for soy sauce.
• Garlic – freshly minced garlic is best but the jarred variety will work as well.
• Ginger – use 1 tsp. of ground ginger powder if you don’t have any fresh ginger on hand.

Asian-inspired slaw

• Coleslaw – chop up some red or green cabbage instead (although buying the bagged coleslaw is easier).
• Green onions – chives or shallots would be the best substitute here.
• Sesame oil – swap out for a neutral oil like avocado or canola oil.
• Rice vinegar – white wine vinegar or apple cider would also work.
• Soy sauce – tamari or coconut aminos are the best substitutes for soy sauce.
• Honey – try using agave syrup or brown rice syrup instead for a bit of sweetness.

Toppings

• Wonton wrappers – if you want to make these tacos low-carb, use lettuce wraps instead.
• Sweet chili sauce – make your own using a blend of hot sauce and honey.
• Chopped cilantro – leave this out altogether if you don’t have any cilantro.
• Sesame seeds – both white and black sesame seeds would work here.

How to make Applebee's chicken wonton tacos

Step 1: Make the coleslaw.

Mix ingredients for coleslaw together in a large bowl.

Step 2: Prep the wonton wrappers.

Preheat oven to 375 F. Spray wonton wrappers with cooking spray or brush with a bit of olive/canola oil, then drape over the side of a 9×13 baking dish.

Step 3: Bake until crispy.

Bake for 7-8 minutes, watching closely so they don't burn. Take wonton shells out of the oven, then gently pull them apart while they are still pliable so that they are more easily filled with toppings. Bake another 7-8 minutes until crispy.

Step 4: Marinate the chicken.

Mix diced raw chicken in a large bowl with hoisin sauce, sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic and ginger.

Step 5: Cook the chicken.

Heat a large skillet over high heat and saute chicken for 7-8 minutes, tossing frequently until cooked through.

Step 6: Assemble your tacos and serve!

Add chicken mixture to wonton shells, then top with coleslaw, drizzle with sweet chili sauce and sprinkle with cilantro and sesame seeds. Serve and enjoy!

Frequently asked questions

How many calories are there in Applebee's chicken wonton tacos?

There are just 350 calories per serving in this chicken wonton tacos recipe, significantly less than at Applebee’s! One serving is made up of four tacos so you’re looking at just 88 calories per taco. If you were to order the original dish at Applebee’s, you’re looking at 570 calories per serving – and the serving size is likely smaller.

Where can I find wonton wrappers?

If you shop at an Asian market, wonton wrappers will be easy to find for your wonton tacos. They are usually in the refrigerated foods section. At traditional grocery stores, they are typically in the refrigerated section of the ethic food aisle. Otherwise, look in the produce section. They might be near the spice roots (like ginger), or near the refrigerated salad dressings.

How many carbs are in this recipe?

These Applebee’s wonton tacos have 33 grams of carbs per serving. The wonton wrappers are part of what make these tacos so delicious, but if you’re looking for a low-carb option, you can always swap out the wonton wrappers for lettuce wraps.

Storing and freezing

Storing: These Applebee’s wonton tacos are best enjoyed fresh, as reheating fully assembled tacos can impact their texture. If you have leftover chicken, store it in a covered container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can bake fresh wonton shells when ready to assemble.

Freezing: While the assembled tacos don’t freeze well, the chicken can be frozen separately. Allow the cooked chicken to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave or oven before assembling with fresh wonton shells.

Meal prep tools

• Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on storing any leftover chicken.
• I get all my free-range chicken from Butcher Box, conveniently delivered to me frozen.