Fiery Chili Crisp Chicken Tacos with Spicy Mango Salsa Recipe

These crispy, flavor-packed chili crisp chicken tacos with spicy mango salsa burst with vibrant Mexican-inspired zest.

Tender chicken marinated in bold chili crisp delivers an unexpected punch of heat and complexity.

Each bite combines tangy, spicy, and sweet notes that dance across your palate.

The homemade mango salsa adds a bright, fresh counterpoint to the richly seasoned meat.

Colorful ingredients transform simple tacos into a restaurant-worthy meal you can easily prepare at home.

Drizzle extra chili crisp for those who crave an intense flavor experience.

Grab your tortillas and get ready to elevate your taco night with this irresistible recipe.

Chili Crisp Chicken Taco Perks

• Spice Up Your Meal: Dive into a flavor explosion with chili crisp chicken tacos that bring a zesty kick to your dinner table, combining bold Asian-inspired seasonings with classic Mexican-style presentation.
• Quick and Customizable Cooking: Whip up this recipe in under an hour, with simple steps that allow you to adjust spice levels and ingredients to match your taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Crowd-Pleasing Fusion Dish: Impress family and friends with a unique taco recipe that blends international flavors, making it perfect for casual gatherings, game nights, or spontaneous dinner celebrations.
• Texture-Rich Culinary Experience: Enjoy a delightful contrast of crispy tortillas, tender spiced chicken, creamy avocado, and bright mango salsa that creates a multi-dimensional eating adventure in every bite.

Chili Crisp Chicken Taco List

• Chicken: Tender meat that serves as the primary protein in the tacos.

• Butter, Garlic, Chili Flakes: Combination that creates a rich, spicy base for the sauce.
• Sesame Seeds: Adds nutty texture and flavor to the chili crisp.

• Curry Paste: Provides depth and warmth to the chicken mixture.
• Soy Sauce: Enhances the umami flavor of the dish.
• Pickled Ginger: Adds a tangy and slightly spicy element to the chicken.

• Cheese: Melts to create a creamy, gooey layer in the tacos.

• Corn Tortillas: Serves as the base for the taco, providing a traditional Mexican foundation.

• Mango: Fresh fruit that brings sweetness and tropical flavor to the salsa.
• Additional Salsa Ingredients: Not specified in the instructions, but implied to create a spicy mango salsa.

• Avocado: Creamy base that provides richness to the sauce.
• Additional Crema Ingredients: Not specified in the instructions, but blended to create a smooth topping.

• Olive Oil: Used for cooking and preparing tortillas.
• Water: Helps create sauce consistency for the chicken.

Chili Crisp Chicken Taco Steps

Step 1: Create Chili Crisp Sauce

Melt butter in a small skillet with garlic and a pinch of chili flakes.

Watch carefully as the butter browns and garlic turns crispy.

Remove from heat and mix in additional chili flakes and sesame seeds.

Transfer the fragrant mixture to a heat-proof bowl.

Step 2: Cook Spicy Chicken Filling

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add chicken and break it up while cooking until it browns nicely.

Pour in curry paste, soy sauce, and water.

Reduce heat and simmer until the sauce thickens around the chicken.

Stir in pickled ginger and its liquid, cooking until the ginger caramelizes.

Remove from heat and mix in chili crisp sauce.

Step 3: Prepare Taco Shells

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Arrange taco shells on a sheet pan and bake for 5 minutes.

Distribute chicken evenly among shells and sprinkle with cheese.

Bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese melts completely.

Step 4: Whip Up Mango Salsa

• Diced mango
• Chopped red onion
• Fresh cilantro
• Lime juice
• Salt

Mix ingredients thoroughly and set aside.

Step 5: Blend Creamy Avocado Sauce

• Ripe avocado
• Sour cream
• Lime juice
• Salt

Blend until smooth and creamy.

Step 6: Create Crispy Folded Tacos

Warm corn tortillas in the microwave.

Rub with olive oil and layer with cheese and chicken.

Fold tortillas in half and press gently.

Bake in oven, flipping halfway, until crisp and golden.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Top tacos with fresh avocado slices, mango salsa, and an extra drizzle of chili crisp sauce.

Enjoy the explosion of flavors!

Chili Crisp Chicken Taco Best Tips

• Brown butter slowly to enhance the garlic and chili flake taste, creating a more complex and rich base for the sauce.
• Break up chicken while cooking to ensure even browning and prevent large clumps, allowing better sauce absorption.
• Brush tortillas with olive oil before baking to achieve a golden, crispy exterior that adds extra texture to the tacos.
• Adjust curry paste and chili crisp amounts to control heat intensity, making the dish suitable for different spice tolerances.
• Prepare mango salsa just before serving to maintain vibrant flavors and prevent soggy ingredients.

Chicken Taco Mango Salsa Ideas

• Vegetarian Fiesta: Replace chicken with black beans or crumbled tofu, keeping the chili crisp sauce and spicy mango salsa for a plant-based protein alternative.
• Seafood Sensation: Swap chicken for grilled shrimp or white fish, maintaining the zesty flavor profile and crispy texture.
• Low-Carb Option: Use lettuce wraps instead of tortillas, creating a lighter meal while preserving the original recipe's bold chili and mango flavors.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Utilize gluten-free tortillas and ensure curry paste and soy sauce are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.

Serving Chili Crisp Chicken Tacos

• Flavor Fiesta Plating: Arrange tacos on a colorful wooden board with vibrant salsa scattered around, creating an Instagram-worthy presentation that screams deliciousness.
• Taco Night Upgrade: Serve with ice-cold Mexican beer, fresh lime wedges, and extra chili crisp on the side for guests to customize their heat level and enjoy a restaurant-style experience at home.
• Family-Style Feast: Set up a DIY taco bar with all components separated, letting everyone build their perfect taco with avocado crema, spicy mango salsa, and chili crisp, making mealtime interactive and fun.
• Fresh Side Companion: Pair with a crisp cucumber-radish salad dressed in light citrus vinaigrette to balance the rich, spicy flavors of the chicken and provide a refreshing contrast.

Storing Chili Crisp Chicken Tacos

• Store leftover chicken and salsa separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping ingredients crisp and fresh.
• Wrap individual taco fillings in freezer-safe containers or bags, maintaining quality for up to 2 months; freeze chicken and salsa separately to prevent sogginess.
• Warm chicken in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly; add a splash of water to prevent dryness and maintain moisture.
• Reheat tacos at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent burning; uncover last 3 minutes to restore crispness and revive cheese's melty texture.

FAQs

• What makes chili crisp special in this recipe?

Chili crisp adds a spicy, aromatic flavor that elevates the chicken with a complex blend of heat, garlic, and sesame seeds, creating a rich and exciting taste profile.

• How do I achieve the best chicken texture?

Cook the chicken over medium heat, breaking it up continuously and allowing it to brown, then simmer with curry paste and soy sauce to develop deep, caramelized flavors and tender meat.

• Can I adjust the spice level?

Yes, control the heat by reducing or increasing chili flakes in the chili crisp sauce, or by choosing a mild or hot curry paste that suits your spice tolerance.

Chili Crisp Chicken Tacos with Spicy Mango Salsa Recipe

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4.6 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Spicy chili crisp chicken tacos bring Mexican-inspired flavors dancing across your plate with zesty mango salsa. Crispy, tangy layers of excitement promise a memorable meal that satisfies cravings and delights taste buds in one delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 12 hard shell tacos

Spices and Sauces:

• 1/4 cup Thai red curry paste
• 1/3 cup tamari sauce or soy sauce
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 6 tablespoons salted butter
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1–4 tablespoons chili flakes
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 2 teaspoons honey

Vegetables, Herbs, and Toppings:

• 3–4 cloves garlic
• 1/3 cup pickled ginger + 3 tablespoons of liquid in the jar
• 2 cups shredded Monterey or pepper jack cheese
• 1 mango
• 1 Serrano or jalapeño pepper
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup fresh Thai basil or basil
• 2 green onions
• 1 avocado
• 1/4 cup cilantro

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Instructions

1. Craft the chili crisp by gently melting butter with minced garlic and a hint of chili flakes in a small skillet until the butter caramelizes and garlic turns golden. Remove from heat, then fold in additional chili flakes and sesame seeds, transferring to a heat-proof container.
2. In a large skillet, sauté chicken over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles until browned, approximately 5 minutes. Introduce curry paste, soy sauce, and water, reducing heat to simmer until the sauce thickens around the meat, about 5 minutes. Incorporate pickled ginger and its brine, cooking until ginger caramelizes, 2-3 minutes. Finish by stirring in chili crisp sauce.
3. Preheat oven to 425°F. Prepare tortillas by lightly rubbing with olive oil, then layer with cheese and seasoned chicken. Fold tortillas in half, creating a sealed pocket. Bake for 10-12 minutes, flipping midway to ensure crispy exterior and melted cheese.
4. While tacos bake, rapidly combine mango, herbs, and seasonings to create a vibrant salsa.
5. Blend avocado, cream, and complementary spices until silky smooth, adjusting salt to taste.
6. Plate tacos and embellish with fresh avocado slices, zesty salsa, and an extra drizzle of chili crisp for heightened flavor complexity.

Notes

• Customize Heat Levels by adjusting chili flakes and curry paste to match personal spice tolerance.
• Swap Proteins effortlessly with ground turkey, beef, or plant-based crumbles for dietary preferences.
• Elevate Vegetarian Version by replacing chicken with black beans, roasted cauliflower, or jackfruit for protein-rich alternative.
• Make-Ahead Friendly by preparing chili crisp and salsa in advance, storing separately in refrigerator for quick assembly later.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 478 kcal
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 33 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg