Crunchy, tangy, and packed with flavors, this Chicken Wonton Tacos with Zesty Slaw Recipe is an absolute game-changer. What I love most is how the crispy wonton shells perfectly cradle a saucy, tender chicken filling topped with a vibrant slaw that wakes up your taste buds in every bite.

The image shows a row of small tacos arranged diagonally on a white marbled surface. Each taco has a golden crispy shell with a bubbly texture, filled with pieces of cooked meat and topped with shredded cabbage, thin orange carrot strips, chopped green herbs, and scattered black and white sesame seeds. At the front, one taco is being held by a woman's hand with purple nail polish and is being dipped into a small white bowl of red sauce. Nearby are two other white bowls, one filled with a creamy sauce covered in sesame seeds and the other with leafy green herbs. Lemon wedges are placed in the background, adding a fresh yellow contrast. The scene is brightly lit and colorful, with a fresh and inviting look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chicken Wonton Tacos with Zesty Slaw Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chicken Wonton Tacos with Zesty Slaw Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chicken Wonton Tacos with Zesty Slaw Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe is a delightful mashup of Asian-inspired flavors wrapped up in a fun, finger-food form. I first tried making these on a whim one weeknight, and they instantly became my go-to when I want something quick yet impressive.

Crunch factor: The baked wonton shells get irresistibly crispy without deep frying, making them light and crunchy.
Flavor explosion: Sweet, savory, tangy, and just a hint of heat all come together perfectly in the chicken and slaw.
Super quick to put together: With simple ingredients and straightforward cooking steps, you can whip these up in under 40 minutes.
Versatile: Easy to customize with your favorite toppings or protein swaps to suit your mood or diet.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The charm of this Chicken Wonton Tacos with Zesty Slaw Recipe lies in its fresh, straightforward ingredients that balance texture and flavor beautifully. When shopping for your ingredients, look for fresh wonton wrappers and good-quality chicken breasts to make your tacos shine.

Flat lay of finely diced raw chicken breast, a small white bowl of dark glossy hoisin sauce, a small white bowl of golden sesame oil, a small white bowl of dark soy sauce, two peeled garlic cloves, a small mound of minced fresh ginger, a white ceramic bowl filled with fresh coleslaw mix, four thinly sliced green onions arranged neatly, a small white bowl of clear rice vinegar, a small white bowl of amber honey, sixteen pale yellow wonton wrappers stacked in a loose pile, a small white bowl of bright red sweet chili sauce, fresh cilantro sprigs, and a small white bowl of white sesame seeds, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breasts: Provides tenderness to the filling and soaks up the savory marinade perfectly.
Hoisin sauce: Adds a rich, sweet-savory depth that's key to the signature flavor.
Sesame oil: Gives a wonderful nutty aroma that lifts the entire dish.
Soy sauce: Brings umami saltiness balancing the sweet elements.
Garlic and fresh ginger: Infuse the chicken with fresh zest and warmth.
Coleslaw mix: Offers crunch and freshness to contrast the warm chicken.
Green onions: Bring a mild bite and lovely color pop.
Rice vinegar: Adds acidity to the slaw for a bright kick.
Honey: Rounds out the vinaigrette with gentle sweetness.
Wonton wrappers: Crispy, slightly chewy taco shells that make these special.
Sweet chili sauce: The finishing touch that adds sweet heat.
Cilantro and sesame seeds: Garnish ingredients that add freshness and texture.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. I often switch up the protein or spice level depending on what’s in my fridge or who’s coming over.

Variation: Sometimes I swap the chicken for diced shrimp or tofu to make it seafood-style or vegetarian—and it’s just as delicious.
Heat level: If you like it spicy, just toss a little Sriracha into the chicken mix or drizzle over the tacos before serving.
Slaw twist: Adding shredded carrots or thin slices of jalapeño to the slaw amps up the crunch and flavor.
Gluten-Free: Sub gluten-free wonton wrappers if needed, and double-check hoisin and soy sauce labels for GF-friendly products.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chicken Wonton Tacos with Zesty Slaw Recipe

The image shows a row of six small tacos placed diagonally on a white marbled surface, each taco made with a golden crispy shell. Inside each shell, there is a layer of cooked pieces of chicken with a brownish color, topped with shredded lettuce and purple cabbage mixed with fresh green cilantro leaves and sprinkled with white and black sesame seeds. Towards the front right, there is a small white bowl filled with bright red dipping sauce. Around the tacos, there are four lime wedges placed casually. In the background, two small white bowls are visible, one with a dark seed mixture and the other filled with chopped green herbs. The whole scene is bright and vibrant, with the tacos as the main focus. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Get Those Wonton Shells Crispy

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Spray or brush the wonton wrappers lightly with cooking spray or oil—this is the secret to that golden crunch. Then drape them over the edges of a 9x13 baking dish; this helps create the taco shape. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes but keep a close eye—they can burn quickly. While they're still a bit pliable, carefully pull them apart to ensure you can fill them without tearing. Pop them back in the oven for another 7 to 8 minutes until super crispy. This double-bake technique is a game-changer!

Step 2: Savory Chicken Filling Magic

In a large bowl, toss your finely diced chicken breasts with hoisin sauce, sesame oil, soy sauce, minced garlic, and fresh ginger. Let this mixture sit for a few minutes if you have time—it helps deepen the flavors. Heat a skillet over high heat and sauté the chicken, stirring often, for about 7-8 minutes until it’s cooked through and sticky with that delicious sauce. Keep the heat high to get a bit of caramelization without drying out the chicken.

Step 3: Whip Up the Zesty Slaw

While the chicken cooks, combine your coleslaw mix, sliced green onions, sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and honey in a large bowl. Give it a good toss so every shred of cabbage gets coated in this tangy dressing. The slaw not only adds freshness but also a sweet-tart crunch that peps up every bite.

Step 4: Assemble and Serve

Fill each crispy wonton shell generously with the savory chicken mixture, pile on the zesty slaw, then drizzle with sweet chili sauce. Don’t forget to sprinkle chopped cilantro and sesame seeds on top—they make the tacos look stunning and add layers of flavor. Serve immediately and watch everyone dive in.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve found a few tweaks that make this Chicken Wonton Tacos with Zesty Slaw Recipe even easier and tastier. It’s all about balancing texture and not letting your shells get soggy.

Double baking the wonton shells: This keeps them crisp even after you load them up with chicken and slaw.
Marinate the chicken briefly: Letting the chicken sit for 10 minutes in the marinade intensifies flavor dramatically.
Drain excess liquid: Before assembling, make sure the slaw isn’t dripping wet to avoid soggy tacos.
Keep hot and serve fast: Wonton shells lose crunch quickly, so try to serve right away for the best bite experience.

How to Serve Chicken Wonton Tacos with Zesty Slaw Recipe

chicken wonton tacos - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always finish mine off with plenty of fresh chopped cilantro and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds — it adds both color and a subtle crunch. A squeeze of lime is optional but wonderful to brighten up the whole dish even more.

Side Dishes

For sides, a simple cucumber salad or steamed edamame pairs beautifully without overpowering these flavorful tacos. Sometimes, I like to serve them with a light jasmine rice bowl on the side to turn it into a full meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I arrange the wonton tacos on a long platter with little bowls of extra sweet chili sauce, lime wedges, and freshly chopped herbs nearby. It makes for a gorgeous spread that invites everyone to customize their own bites.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Because the wonton shells lose crunch quickly, I store leftovers separately — chicken filling and slaw go in airtight containers in the fridge, and the baked wonton shells stay at room temperature in a sealed bag.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the cooked chicken filling successfully—just thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat gently. I don’t recommend freezing the fully assembled tacos because the shells get soggy upon thawing.

Reheating

Reheat the chicken in a skillet over medium heat to retain moisture and flavor. If you want to refresh the crispy shell, pop them in the oven at 350°F for a few minutes, but do it just before serving to keep that perfect crunch.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these Chicken Wonton Tacos with Zesty Slaw Recipe ahead of time?

You can prepare the chicken filling and slaw up to a day in advance and refrigerate them separately. However, bake and crisp the wonton shells just before serving to ensure they remain crunchy.

What can I use instead of wonton wrappers if I can’t find them?

If you can’t find wonton wrappers, spring roll wrappers or small taco shells can be a good substitute. Just adjust the baking or toasting time accordingly for a similar crunchy texture.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! The chicken filling and slaw keep well in the fridge, making it easy to assemble fresh tacos throughout the week. Just keep the shells separate until ready to serve for the best texture.

How spicy are these Chicken Wonton Tacos with Zesty Slaw Recipe?

They’re mildly spicy due to the sweet chili sauce drizzle, but you can always increase or decrease the heat level by adding more chili sauce or including fresh jalapeños in the slaw mix.

Final Thoughts

These Chicken Wonton Tacos with Zesty Slaw Recipe hold a special place in my kitchen repertoire. They’re fun to make, delightful to eat, and always get compliments. Whether you're cooking for a casual family dinner or feeding a crowd, these tacos bring big flavor in a small, crispy package. Give them a try and see how easily they become a new favorite!