Chicken Chalupa Recipe
These crispy chicken chalupas are filled with juicy chicken, shredded cheese, and all my favorite toppings. This homemade chalupa recipe is way better than Taco Bell!
Servings: 8 chalupas
Calories: 327kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts sliced into bite-sized pieces*
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil plus more, for frying**
- 8 flour chalupa tortillas ***
- 1 cup shredded cheese
Optional Toppings:
- shredded lettuce
- diced tomatoes
- sour cream
- salsa
Instructions
- Rub the taco seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt over the chicken breasts.1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- Add the oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Once heated, add in the chicken pieces and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned and cooked through.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Heat 1 cup of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Test the oil by dipping the edge of the chalupa in the oil to see if it bubbles.
- Using tongs, dip one half of the chalupa into the oil to fry while folding the other half of the chalupa over it to make a taco shell shape. Once the bottom half in the oil is golden brown, flip and fry the other half.8 flour chalupa tortillas
- Fill each taco shell with chicken, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and salsa.1 cup shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, salsa
Notes
*Boneless thighs can be used instead for juicier meat. Or swap in any leftover or cooked chicken, including shredded chicken or rotisserie chicken.
**Be sure to use a high smoke point oil for frying. Olive oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil work best.
***Chalupa tortillas are specially made to be fried-- they get nice and puffy! I used Mission Brand. If you can't find chalupa shells, regular flour tortillas will also work but won't be as delicious.
Becky's Top Tips:
- Use a large, deep set skillet or pot for frying.
- Be sure to use heat-resistant tongs while handling the fried shells.
- You can leave the chalupa shells flat and enjoy them more like a tostada if you prefer.
Nutrition
Serving: 1chalupa | Calories: 327kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 602mg | Potassium: 283mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 188IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 172mg | Iron: 2mg