There’s something irresistibly fun about biting into crispy wonton shells filled with tender chicken and topped with a vibrant, tangy slaw. This Chicken Wonton Tacos with Zesty Slaw Recipe brings together crunchy, savory, and fresh flavors in one hand-held delight that’s perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings.

The image shows a row of small tacos placed on a white marbled surface. Each taco has three layers: the first is a crispy golden shell, the second is filled with cooked pieces of meat, and the third is topped with shredded colorful vegetables including green cilantro, purple cabbage, and orange carrot strips, with some sesame seeds sprinkled on top. At the front, a woman's hand with shiny purple nails is dipping one taco into a small white ramekin filled with bright red sauce. Next to the tacos, there are two lemon wedges and small white bowls containing green herbs and a light-colored sesame seed mixture. 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

I’m thrilled every time I make this Chicken Wonton Tacos with Zesty Slaw Recipe because it’s an exciting twist on tacos and Asian flavors all in one. The crispy wonton cups contrast beautifully with juicy chicken, while the zesty, slightly sweet slaw adds a fresh pop that keeps each bite fresh and balanced.

Crunchy Meets Tender: Crispy, baked wonton wrappers are the perfect vessel for tender, flavorful chicken.
Zesty Slaw Boosts Freshness: The quick honey-soy slaw brightens the whole dish, adding crunch and zing.
Quick and Easy: Ready in about 40 minutes, it’s surprisingly doable for a weeknight dinner but still impressive for guests.
Customizable and Fun: You can easily tweak fillings, sauces, or toppings to suit your taste or occasion.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Chicken Wonton Tacos with Zesty Slaw Recipe plays a key role—from the crispy wonton shells to the sweet-savory chicken filling and bright, tangy slaw. Here’s why I love these choices and some tips when shopping for them.

Flat lay of finely diced raw chicken breasts, a small white bowl of dark glossy hoisin sauce, a small white bowl with golden sesame oil, a small white bowl of deep brown soy sauce, two whole garlic cloves with papery skins, a small pile of fresh minced ginger root, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with colorful fresh coleslaw mix, four bright green onions sliced thinly, a small white bowl containing clear rice vinegar, a small white bowl with golden honey, a neat stack of square wonton wrappers, a small white bowl of bright red sweet chili sauce, a small pile of fresh chopped cilantro leaves, and a small white bowl of pale sesame seeds—all arranged symmetrically 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: Finely diced chicken cooks quickly and soaks up the marinade flavors beautifully.
Hoisin sauce: Adds a sweet and savory depth that brings the chicken filling to life.
Sesame oil: Just a little adds a wonderful toasted aroma and nutty flavor that you’ll notice in every bite.
Soy sauce: Balances the sweetness with salty umami, perfect for Asian-inspired dishes.
Garlic and fresh ginger: These aromatics create vibrant flavors that make the chicken truly pop.
Coleslaw mix: A pre-shredded mix saves time and is crisp and fresh—ideal for that crunchy layer.
Green onions: Thinly sliced for a mild onion punch and a pop of color.
Rice vinegar: Provides the perfect tanginess to brighten the slaw.
Honey: Balances the sour notes in the slaw dressing with just a touch of sweetness.
Wonton wrappers: The magic shell—baked till golden and crispy, they hold the fillings beautifully without sogginess.
Sweet chili sauce: For drizzling on top, it adds a sweet heat that ties the whole dish together.
Cilantro and sesame seeds: Fresh herbs and seeds for garnish that elevates both flavor and presentation.

📝

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

I love that this Chicken Wonton Tacos with Zesty Slaw Recipe leaves plenty of room for your personal touch. Whether you’re in the mood for some heat, want to swap out protein, or add a bit more crunch, there’s so much flexibility here.

Add some heat: I sometimes mix in diced jalapeños with the slaw for an extra kick—a great way to wake up the flavors.
Protein switch-up: Try shrimp or ground turkey instead of chicken for a different twist that’s just as tasty.
Slaw variations: Swap in napa cabbage, shredded carrots, or even some fresh mango for sweetness and color.
Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free wonton wrappers or crispy tortilla chips as a fun alternative.

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

A line of six small tacos with light golden crispy shells filled with pieces of brown cooked meat, topped with shredded green and purple cabbage, bits of orange carrot, and chopped green herbs, all sprinkled with black and white sesame seeds. The tacos sit on a gray textured surface with lime wedges scattered around, a small white bowl of red dipping sauce on the right, and white bowls with sesame seeds and green herbs at the back. The tacos are arranged in a slight curve going from the foreground to the background, with the closest three in clear focus. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Transform Wonton Wrappers Into Crispy Taco Shells

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Lightly spray each wonton wrapper with cooking spray or brush a thin layer of olive or canola oil. This tiny step helps get those wrappers perfectly golden and crunchy. Then drape them over the edges of a 9x13-inch baking dish—this creates the perfect taco cup shape. Bake for 7-8 minutes, watching carefully so they don’t burn. Take them out while they’re still flexible and gently pull them apart to give you more room to fill. Bake them for another 7-8 minutes until they're crisp and ready to hold all the delicious filling.

Step 2: Marinate and Sauté the Chicken

While the wonton shells bake, toss your finely diced chicken in a bowl with hoisin sauce, sesame oil, soy sauce, minced garlic, and fresh ginger. This marinade creates a rich, tasty base. Heat a skillet over high heat and sauté the chicken for about 7-8 minutes, stirring often until it’s cooked through and slightly caramelized. The high heat helps sear the chicken and lock in those wonderful flavors.

Step 3: Whip Up the Zesty Slaw

In a large bowl, toss together the coleslaw mix, sliced green onions, sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and honey. This mix is your zesty slaw—balancing sweet, tangy, salty, and nutty elements all at once. I always make sure to taste it and adjust the honey or vinegar based on how tangy I want it. It’s that bright freshness that really sets these tacos apart.

Step 4: Assemble and Serve

Fill your crisp wonton shells with a generous scoop of the sautéed chicken, then pile on the zesty slaw. Drizzle with sweet chili sauce and sprinkle chopped cilantro and toasted sesame seeds on top. The layers of texture and flavor make every bite irresistible. Serve immediately and watch how quickly these disappear!

Top Tip

I’ve made these chicken wonton tacos more times than I can count, and a few tricks really help them turn out amazing every time. These little secrets will save you stress and maximize flavor.

Don’t skip separating the wonton shells: Pulling them apart when still warm makes filling them so much easier and prevents breakage.
Use high heat for the chicken: It ensures a nice sear without drying the meat, keeping it juicy and flavorful.
Adjust the slaw dressing to taste: I like mine a little more tangy, but a touch more honey smooths out the acidity if you prefer slightly milder flavors.
Prep everything before baking wrappers: Wonton shells crisp quickly and the filling goes fast, so having a mise en place keeps everything running smoothly.

How to Serve Chicken Wonton Tacos with Zesty Slaw Recipe

Garnishes

I always top these chicken wonton tacos with extra chopped cilantro and a sprinkle of sesame seeds—it adds that fresh herbaceous note and a bit of crunch. Sometimes, I add thinly sliced red chili or a squeeze of lime for brightness and heat. And of course, a drizzle of sweet chili sauce never fails to bring it all together.

Side Dishes

These tacos pair beautifully with a simple cucumber salad or steamed jasmine rice to soak up extra sauce. For something a bit heartier, I love serving them alongside crispy roasted sweet potato wedges or edamame with sea salt for a light but filling meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I arrange these Chicken Wonton Tacos with Zesty Slaw Recipe on a large platter with little bowls of extra chili sauce, lime wedges, and sliced green onions so guests can customize. They also make fun appetizers when served in mini muffin tins to keep the wonton cups upright and neat. It’s always a crowd-pleaser!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers (which is rare!), store the chicken and slaw separately in airtight containers in the fridge. I find the wonton shells lose their crispness quickly, so I recommend reserving those for the initial meal rather than storing assembled tacos.

Freezing

You can freeze cooked chicken in a freezer-safe bag, but fresh-made slaw and wonton shells are best fresh. From my experience, freezing assembled tacos risks sogginess, so it’s better to freeze components separately if needed.

Reheating

Reheat the chicken briefly in a hot skillet or microwave until just warmed through. If you want to restore crispness to the wonton shells, pop them in a hot oven or toaster oven for a few minutes. Refresh the slaw with a quick toss if it looks a bit wilted before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I prepare the slaw in advance for Chicken Wonton Tacos with Zesty Slaw Recipe?

Absolutely! You can make the slaw a few hours ahead and refrigerate it. Just give it a good toss before serving to redistribute the flavors and re-crisp the veggies.

What can I use instead of hoisin sauce in this recipe?

If you don’t have hoisin sauce, you can substitute with a mix of soy sauce, a little honey, garlic, and a touch of Chinese five-spice or BBQ sauce to mimic the sweet and savory notes.

How do I keep wonton wrappers from getting soggy?

Baking them in the oven with a bit of oil until crispy is key. Avoid filling them too early; assemble right before serving to retain that crunchiness.

Can this recipe be made gluten-free?

Yes! Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, and choose gluten-free wonton wrappers or crispy tortilla chips as the shell alternative to keep this recipe gluten-friendly.

Final Thoughts

This Chicken Wonton Tacos with Zesty Slaw Recipe has quickly become one of my go-to dishes when I want something that’s fun, flavorful, and a little unexpected. It always sparks conversation at the table and lets you get creative with toppings and sides. Give it a try—you might even find yourself making them for a crowd just like I do!