Active Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4 (2 tacos per person)
Difficulty Level: Easy
Flavor Profile: Spicy, Tangy, Creamy with a Crispy Texture
Ingredients
For the Cheese Taco Shells:
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2 cups (226g) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
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½ cup (56g) finely grated Parmesan cheese
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For the Buffalo Chicken Filling:
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2 cups (about 280g) cooked, shredded chicken breast (rotisserie chicken works perfectly!)
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½ cup Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce
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3 tbsp unsalted butter
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1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
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¼ tsp garlic powder
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Pinch of salt, to taste
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For the Avocado-Lime Slaw:
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2 cups (140g) shredded green cabbage
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1 large avocado, pitted and diced
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¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
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2 tbsp mayonnaise (sugar-free)
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2 tbsp sour cream
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Juice of 1 lime
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Salt and pepper to taste
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For Garnish (Optional):
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Crumbled blue cheese or gorgonzola
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Sliced jalapeños
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Extra cilantro leaves
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A drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing
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Instructions
Step 1: Make the Crispy Cheese Shells
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Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
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For each taco shell, place a ¼-cup mound of the mixed mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on the sheet. Using the back of a spoon, gently spread and flatten each mound into a thin, even circle, about 5-6 inches in diameter. Leave at least 2 inches between each circle as they will spread.
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Bake for 7-9 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are bubbly and set.
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Crucial Step: Immediately upon removing from the oven, carefully drape each cheese circle over the handle of a wooden spoon suspended between two cans or cups, or over a taco shell rack. Let them cool and harden into a taco shell shape for 5-7 minutes. They will crisp up as they cool.
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Step 2: Prepare the Buffalo Chicken
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While the shells bake, combine the shredded chicken, hot sauce, butter, vinegar, and garlic powder in a medium saucepan over low heat.
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Stir gently until the butter is melted and the chicken is evenly coated and heated through, about 5-7 minutes. Keep warm on low heat.
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Step 3: Assemble the Avocado-Lime Slaw
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In a medium bowl, mash the avocado slightly with a fork. Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, and lime juice, and mix until a creamy dressing forms.
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Fold in the shredded cabbage and chopped cilantro until everything is well coated. Season with salt and pepper.
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Step 4: Assemble & Serve!
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Carefully remove your crispy cheese shells from their molds. They should be firm and hold their shape.
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To build each taco, start with a layer of the creamy avocado slaw in the bottom of the shell. This helps prevent sogginess.
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Top generously with the warm, saucy buffalo chicken.
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Garnish with crumbled blue cheese, a slice of jalapeño, or a fresh cilantro sprig.
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Serve immediately while the shells are crisp and the chicken is warm.
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Chef’s Notes & Tips for Success
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The Shell is Key: Watch the cheese shells closely in the last 2 minutes of baking. They go from perfect golden to over-browned quickly. For extra-sturdy shells, add an extra tablespoon of Parmesan to each circle.
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Chicken Shortcut: Using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken is the ultimate time-saver. You can also use leftover grilled or baked chicken.
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Heat Level Control: Love the flavor but not the intense heat? Use a 50/50 mix of Frank’s RedHot and melted butter, or choose a milder buffalo sauce. For extra fire, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken mixture.
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Make-Ahead: You can bake the cheese shells ahead of time. Once cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours. Re-crisp in a 350°F oven for 2-3 minutes if needed. The slaw and chicken can be prepared 1 day in advance and stored separately in the fridge.
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Nutrition Information (Per Serving of 2 Tacos)
Please note: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific brands and ingredient sizes.
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Calories: 585 kcal
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Total Carbohydrates: 9g
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Dietary Fiber: 4g
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Net Carbs: 5g
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Total Fat: 41g
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Saturated Fat: 18g
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Protein: 46g
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