One of the most common fillings for chalupas has always been chicken, but then Taco Bell did something crazy – they took the chicken from inside the chalupa and used it as the fried shell instead, and so the naked chicken chalupa was born. We thought that idea was so crazy that it might just work, and indeed it did – give our homemade naked chicken chalupas a try and decide for yourself!
Imagine sinking your teeth into a crispy, golden-brown fried chicken masterpiece. Each bite of the Naked Chicken Chalupa is an explosion of flavor, thanks to a perfectly balanced spice blend rubbed into juicy chicken breasts. Coated in a crunchy cracker crust and fried to perfection, these chicken shells are the base for an unforgettable culinary adventure.
But the magic doesn’t stop there! We’re talking about a vibrant cilantro lime ranch dressing, made from scratch with fresh herbs and zesty lime juice. Piled high with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, sharp cheddar, and creamy guacamole, the Naked Chicken Chalupa is a symphony of textures and tastes that will leave you craving more. Get ready to ditch the tortilla and embrace the chicken!
Naked Chicken Chalupas
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp crushed red pepper
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- flour for breading
- egg for breading
- cracker crumbs for breading
- 2 tsp salt for dressing
- 0.5 lime juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 0.33 cup plain yogurt
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
- 1 tbsp chopped mint
- 1 tbsp milk
- shredded lettuce for toppings
- diced tomatoes for toppings
- shredded cheddar cheese for toppings
- diced red onions for toppings
- guacamole for toppings
- cilantro for toppings
Instructions
- Mix the crushed red pepper, ground cumin, pepper, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder in a bowl. Coat the chicken breasts with the spice mixture.
- Dip the spiced chicken breasts in flour, then in beaten egg, and finally in cracker crumbs. Ensure they are well-coated.
- Fry the breaded chicken breasts in hot oil until golden brown and cooked through. This should take about 10-15 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix the salt, lime juice, olive oil, plain yogurt, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, chopped mint, and milk to make the cilantro lime ranch dressing.
- Once the chicken is cooked, use it as the shell for the chalupas. Fill with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, diced red onions, guacamole, and cilantro. Drizzle with the cilantro lime ranch dressing.