Baked Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema

Enjoy these simple and flavorful baked chicken tacos topped with a luscious creamy avocado sauce. This easy recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner and can be customized with your favorite fillings and toppings. The baked shells offer a satisfying crunch, while the avocado sauce adds a cool and refreshing element.

• Keyword Focus: Baked Chicken Tacos, Avocado Sauce for Tacos, Easy Taco Recipe, Creamy Avocado Topping, Homemade Tacos.

Yields: 10-12 tacos Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 20-25 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Filling:

• 1 lb cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works great!)
• 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
• ½ cup salsa (your favorite kind)
• ¼ cup water
• 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles (optional)
• 1 cup shredded cheese (Monterey Jack, cheddar, or a Mexican blend)

For the Creamy Avocado Sauce:

• 1 ripe avocado, pitted
• ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1-2 tablespoons water or milk (to thin, if needed)

For the Tacos:

• 10-12 hard taco shells

Optional Toppings:

• Shredded lettuce
• Diced tomatoes
• Chopped red onion
• Extra cilantro
• Lime wedges

Equipment:

• Large bowl
• Spoon or spatula
• 9x13 inch baking dish
• Small food processor or blender (for the sauce)
• Measuring cups and spoons

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven & Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
2. Prepare Chicken Filling: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, taco seasoning, salsa, water, and diced green chiles (if using). Stir until the chicken is evenly coated.
3. Assemble Tacos: Arrange the hard taco shells in the prepared baking dish, standing them upright if possible. Spoon the chicken mixture evenly into each taco shell. Top each taco with some of the shredded cheese.
4. Bake Tacos: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the taco shells are slightly crispy.
5. Make Avocado Sauce: While the tacos are baking, prepare the avocado sauce. In a small food processor or blender, combine the avocado, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water or milk if you prefer a thinner sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
6. Serve: Carefully remove the baked chicken tacos from the oven. Top with the creamy avocado sauce and any other desired toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion, and extra cilantro. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips and Variations:

• Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the chicken filling for extra heat.
• Use different protein: You can substitute ground chicken, turkey, or beef for the shredded chicken. Brown the ground meat and drain any excess fat before adding the taco seasoning and other filling ingredients.
• Soft tacos: If you prefer soft tacos, warm flour or corn tortillas according to package directions. Fill with the chicken mixture, cheese, and avocado sauce. You can briefly bake soft tacos to melt the cheese, or serve them without baking.
• Make ahead: The chicken filling can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Simply assemble and bake the tacos when you're ready to eat. The avocado sauce is best made fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few hours; a layer of plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface can help prevent browning.

Enjoy these delicious and easy baked chicken tacos with the creamy avocado sauce! They are a guaranteed hit for taco night.