Walking Tacos: The Ultimate Party Food Recipe

A Walking Taco is an exciting and convenient way to serve a crowd-pleasing meal. Imagine individual bags of crunchy corn chips loaded with all the best chicken taco fillings. It’s a fiesta in a bag!

As the crisp, cool days of fall arrive, the thrilling cheers of football games resonate throughout towns and cities. Thoughts naturally turn to tailgating events and lively parties centered around this beloved autumn sport. What better way to celebrate than with delicious and easy-to-eat food?

Spending quality time with friends before a big game, while indulging in tasty snacks and refreshing drinks, creates an unforgettable afternoon! Typical football party fare often includes hamburgers, hotdogs, bratwursts, nachos, chili, jalapeno poppers, brownies, sugar cookies, and festive cupcakes. But why not elevate your game day menu with the irresistible and incredibly fun-to-eat Walking Tacos featuring Fire-Roasted Salsa Chicken and Corn Chips?

What Exactly Are Walking Tacos?

A “Walking Taco” is a hugely popular treat during football season. Picture this: small bags of crunchy corn chips (like Fritos) filled with savory, spicy Mexican seasoned chicken. Then, it’s topped with creamy sour cream, sharp cheddar cheese, and freshly chopped tomatoes. The result? A portable, delicious, and utterly satisfying meal!

These convenient, single-serving meals are a common sight at football concession stands and tailgating gatherings across the country. Always eager to add my own personal touch to classic recipes, I’ve taken the traditional beef-based version and reimagined it with succulent chicken and a vibrant homemade salsa. The result is a flavor explosion that’s sure to impress your friends and family.

Key Ingredients for the Best Walking Tacos

My Walking Tacos recipe starts with perfectly seasoned chicken. Thin chicken cutlets are marinated in tangy lime juice, then generously sprinkled with a homemade spice rub featuring classic Mexican flavors like cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder. A quick sear on the grill imparts a delightful smoky char to the chicken, adding another layer of complexity to the dish.

The foundation of the sautéed salsa is canned fire-roasted tomatoes, bursting with flavor and a personal favorite ingredient. The addition of fragrant onions, pungent garlic, fiery hot sauce, and sweet corn elevates the homemade salsa to new heights. Once the spicy grilled chicken is shredded, it’s combined with the piquant salsa, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. This mouthwatering chicken and salsa mixture is then piled high on top of crunchy corn chips, along with dollops of cool sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. It’s a symphony of textures and tastes that will leave you wanting more!

Prepare Ahead for Easy Entertaining

These Walking Tacos with Fire-Roasted Salsa Chicken and Corn Chips are guaranteed to be a touchdown at your next tailgate or football-themed party. The best part? With the chicken and all the toppings prepped in advance, a quick reheat is all that’s needed to assemble these crowd-pleasing walking tacos. Beyond the extraordinary taste and unique presentation, the incredibly simple cleanup is a definite bonus. Spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the game with your friends!

Walking Tacos Bags with Corn Chips Recipe

A Fun and Flavorful Snack or Dinner

This Walking Taco recipe features Mexican-seasoned chicken, a homemade fire-roasted tomato salsa, cheddar cheese, and sour cream, all served in individual corn chip bags.

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• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Servings: 8
• Calories: 518 kcal
• Author: Amy Casey

Ingredients

• 4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds total)
• 3 ½ teaspoons cumin (divided)
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
• 1 lime (cut in half)
• 1 ½ cups chopped onions
• 4 cloves of garlic (chopped)
• 2 cans (14.5 oz. each) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce
• 1 cup corn
• 8 snack-sized bags of corn chips (such as Fritos)
• Sour cream
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

1. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
2. Slice each chicken breast lengthwise into 2 thin cutlets.
3. In a small bowl, combine 2 teaspoons of cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, and salt. Rub chicken with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, squeeze lime juice over it, and then rub with the spice mixture.
4. Grill the chicken for about 3 to 4 minutes per side or until just cooked through. Remove from grill and shred into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
5. In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. When the oil is shimmering, add the onions and garlic. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes or until the onions are softened and beginning to lightly brown.
6. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, the remaining 1 ½ teaspoons of cumin, and hot sauce. Stir to combine and continue cooking for 4 to 5 minutes until the mixture is slightly thickened.
7. Stir in the shredded chicken and corn, and heat through, about an additional 3 to 4 minutes.
8. To serve, cut each snack-sized bag of corn chips open like a book. Top chips with a generous amount of the salsa chicken, a dollop of sour cream, and some of the shredded cheese. Sprinkle with cilantro. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition Information (per serving)

• Serving: 1/8 of recipe + corn chips
• Calories: 518kcal
• Carbohydrates: 40.6g
• Protein: 30g
• Fat: 29.5g
• Saturated Fat: 5.1g
• Cholesterol: 84mg
• Sodium: 998mg
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 6.1g

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