Breaded Sesame Chicken Tacos with Asian Slaw

These breaded sesame chicken tacos with Asian slaw are the perfect quick and easy weeknight meal! Crispy chicken in a corn tortilla with easy Asian slaw, crumbled queso fresco, and green onions. Using store-bought breaded sesame chicken is a great short cut and the warm chicken paired with the cold, crispy slaw is a great combo! A drizzle of spicy mayo and a sprinkle of sesame seeds make the perfect bite.

Highlights of this chicken recipe and why you’ll love it:

• Short cut recipe: using frozen breaded chicken makes these tacos quick to whip up. While the chicken is baking you can prep shells, slaw, and any additional toppings. These tacos can be made with any type of frozen chicken nuggets, strips, or tenders. Asian style tempura chicken is my preference for these tacos.
• Fresh & flavorful: full of crispy cabbage tossed in soy sauce and rice vinegar, spicy mayonnaise, crispy sesame chicken, sesame seeds, salty queso fresco, and crisp green onions inside a crispy tortilla. These are a flavor bomb in every bite!
• Great for parties: these are so fun served premade on a platter for Cinco de Mayo parties, game days, or a girls night. Or serve as a a taco bar with chicken and slaw on platters and toppings in bowls for people to create their own tacos.
• Kid friendly: kids will love this fun spin on chicken tacos. The Asian inspired flavors are mild and suited for all palates!

Ingredient List & Ingredient Notes:

• Chicken: frozen breaded sesame chicken is an easy choice for this quick recipe. Boneless skinless chicken thighs, boneless skinless chicken breasts, chicken tenders, or leftover grilled chicken breast can work as well, these can be tossed in a sesame sauce.
• Sesame oil: extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil can be a substitute.
• Rice vinegar: apple cider vinegar or mirin make a good substitute, this adds a nice tang to the coleslaw.
• Soy sauce: coconut aminos or tamari can be a substitute to traditional soy sauce if you need a gluten free or soy free option.
• Sesame seeds: add as many as you like! I lovvee sesame seeds and tend to go overboard, so use at your own discretion – these make a great garish. If I have them, I like a mix of white and black sesame seeds.
• Cabbage: green cabbage, red cabbage, or napa cabbage will work in this recipe. In a pinch, coleslaw mix could be a substitute.
• Tortillas: corn or flour tortillas will work, both soft shell and hard shell go great, but the crunch of the hard shells pairs well with the crispy chicken.
• Queso Fresco: I love this crumbled cheese to add a salty, creamy punch. Goat cheese , feta cheese, or traditional shredded cheese will work.
• Green onions: sliced green onions add the perfect color and flavor to finish off these tacos.

How to make the Breaded Sesame Chicken Tacos with Asian Slaw (with step by step instructions):

Let’s talk a little about how to make these chicken tacos (The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.)

Quick overview:

• Bake frozen chicken according to package instructions.
• Prepare slaw, spicy sauce, and other toppings.
• Assemble tacos and enjoy!

1: Bake frozen chicken according to package instruction’s.

2: Toss chicken with sesame sauce. If pieces are larger, chop smaller.

3: Combine sriracha and mayo for a spicy sauce. Slice green onions and prepare cabbage slaw ingredients.

4: Prep any extra toppings as desired. If using soft tortillas, warm them for service. I brush corn tortillas with olive oil, form them over a tin foil form, and bake for 5-8 minutes until crispy. Store-bought crispy shells work great to.

5: Fill shells with slaw, crispy chicken, crumbled queso fresco, sriracha mayo, green onions, sesame seeds, and any additional toppings! Serve immediately.

Tools I used for this easy chicken recipe:

• Pyrex Mixing Bowl Set – I love this set of nesting bowls. I use them for everything, Pyrex glass does not break easily so you can trust on these bowls for years, plus they come in 3 useful sizes and can be stacked!
• USA Pan Half Sheet Pan – my go-to sheet pans, these are truly non-stick and clean up nicely. Perfect for cooking the frozen breaded chicken.
• Rubber Spatula – a must have! I like these because they don’t come apart so I don’t have to worry about water getting inside the spatula and causing mold.

If you like these Breaded Sesame Chicken Tacos with Asian Slaw, you’ll love these other easy recipes…

Sesame Ginger Orange Chicken Salad

Easy Instant Pot Teriyaki Meatballs Recipe

Copycat Panda Express Air Fryer Orange Chicken

Easy Crispy Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Recipe

Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Easy Teriyaki Chicken Skewers in the Air Fryer

Recipe tips for perfect crispy chicken tacos:

• Enjoy immediately before the chicken starts to lost its crunch. The slaw is also best enjoy fresh, before it starts to break down.
• Use crispy shells for additional crunch, these add to the crispy texture – pairing well with the different textures from the toppings.
• Pair with toppings like mango salsa, cilantro, sliced green onions, or spicy sauce.
• Serve buffet style with shells, chicken, and slaw serve separately alongside bowls of toppings and sauces.

Recipe FAQ’s:

What should I serve with my chicken tacos?

These tacos go great with cilantro rice or quinoa, Alexia Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer, Perfect Steamed Rice (without a rice cooker), corn salad or corn salsa, black beans or pinto beans.

What are some different toppings ideas?

Crumbled queso fresco, sesame seeds, sliced green onions, spicy aioli or salsa, avocado, cabbage slaw, mango salsa, guacamole, or shredded cheese are all good topping ideas.

What type of tortilla is best for these tacos?

Flour or corn tortillas will work for this recipe, I find corn is the best. Warmed, soft corn tortillas are great as well as crunchy corn tortillas. Store-bought crispy tortillas work or make your own by brushing them with oil and baking in the oven over a form until crispy.