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taco bell chicken chalupa recipe

Chicken Chalupa Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (for dough)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt, divided
  • 2 tbsp plain yogurt
  • ¾ cup warm water
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil (plus extra for frying)
  • 2 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to ½-inch thickness
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 1 medium tomato, seeded and diced
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese

Method
 

  1. Mix the 2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and ½ tsp salt in a large bowl. Add the 2 tbsp yogurt, 1 tbsp vegetable oil, and ¾ cup warm water gradually, stirring until a dough forms. Knead for 3 minutes until smooth, cover, and rest for 20 minutes.
  2. Set up a breading station: mix the ½ cup dredging flour with 1 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp smoked paprika, and the remaining ½ tsp salt in one bowl; the 2 beaten eggs in a second bowl; and the 1 cup panko in a third. Dredge each chicken breast in the seasoned flour, then egg, then press firmly into the panko.
  3. Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep skillet. Fry the chicken for 5 to 6 minutes per side until golden and cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Transfer to a wire rack.
  4. Divide the dough into 4 pieces and roll each into a 7-inch oval, ¼ inch thick. Fry each oval in the same oil at 350°F (175°C) for 1 minute per side until golden and puffed. Drain on a wire rack.
  5. Slice the chicken into ½-inch strips. Spread 2 tbsp sour cream on each shell, then top with ¼ cup lettuce, diced tomato, ¼ cup shredded cheese, and the chicken strips. Serve immediately on a board or flat plate.

Notes

The shells soften quickly after frying, so have all your toppings prepped and ready before the oil heats up. If you're cooking for a crowd, keep finished shells in a 200°F (93°C) oven on a wire rack for up to 10 minutes while you fry the rest. Pounding the chicken to an even thickness is worth the extra minute; it's the difference between a juicy piece and a dry one.