Applebees Chicken Wonton Tacos

The pressure builds and you start counting down minutes until you eat. You remember how dang good those chicken wonton tacos tasted last time and that craving kinda sneaks up on you hard. The smell from the pressure cooker starts filling up the kitchen and you catch yourself just staring, waiting for that valve hiss to tell you it's almost time.

You peek a few times and you gotta remind yourself to do the quick release nice and steady so you don't burn your fingers. It's kinda like a countdown game where the timer is ticking and your tummy gets louder with every minute. You notice the kitchen fills up with some sweet soy-ginger aroma which is making this wait even harder to deal with.

Once the natural release finishes, you open the lid and the warm steam hits your face. You scoop out some crispy wonton tacos, still warm, and the crispy edges crack just right when you bite in. This is the kinda dinner that feels real nice after a long day, comforting but a little fun too.

Why This Recipe Works Every Single Time

• Perfect timing with the pressure build: The chicken cooks evenly and stays juicy without drying out.
• Quick release avoids overcooking: you get that tender texture without mushy bits.
• Combination of sauces: stir fry sauce mixes well with sesame ginger and soy for deep flavor.
• Fresh veggies add crunch: the cabbage and carrots keep things light and balanced.
• Frying the wonton wrappers crisp up nicely: makes the tacos hold all that juicy chicken filling tight.

Everything You Need Lined Up

Alright, you gotta gather up your ingredients before jumping in. Having everything ready makes the cook way smoother and less stressful. Plus, you gonna appreciate how fast this comes together when you don't gotta hunt for stuff mid-cook.

• 1 pound chicken breast, cut small pieces. This helps it cook through quick and soak up flavors.
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for frying and cooking the chicken.
• ½ cup stir fry sauce to kick in some savory goodness.
• ¼ cup sesame ginger dressing which adds that nice tangy-sweet vibe.
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce to boost the savoriness.
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar for just a hint of sweetness to balance out the sauce.
• 1 cup thinly sliced cabbage that'll give fresh crunch to the mix.
• ¼ cup shredded carrots for more color and bite.
• 10 wonton wrappers to hold everything together and get crispy fried.
• Extra vegetable oil for frying the wontons so they get that golden crisp edge.
• Fresh cilantro and lime wedges for garnish and a little zesty finish.

How It All Comes Together Step by Step

First, you gotta heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. This gets things ready for that juicy chicken to start cooking.

Next, toss in the chicken pieces. Cook them until they're no longer pink inside which usually takes about 5-7 minutes. You want them just right, no rubbery bits.

Then, stir in your stir fry sauce, sesame ginger dressing, soy sauce, and brown sugar. The smells here kinda get you right in the feels.

Add your sliced cabbage and shredded carrots next. Cook everything together until the cabbage softens just a little, about 3-5 minutes. This keeps the texture balanced.

Pull the skillet off the heat and let that mixture cool down briefly so it's easier to handle in the next step.

Lay out your wonton wrappers and spoon the chicken veggie mix into the center of each. Don't overfill or they won't seal up good.

Fold the wontons following the package instructions and pinch the edges tight. This is key so none of that filling sneaks out when frying.

Heat some vegetable oil in another skillet and fry your wonton tacos. Cook about 2-3 minutes each side until they turn golden brown and crispy. This crispy shell holding all that juicy goodness wins every time.

Serve 'em warm with extra sesame ginger dressing or lime wedges for squeezing over the top. Yum.

Valve Hacks You Need to Know

When pressure's building, you gotta keep an ear out for that valve hiss. It tells you when the cooker reaches full pressure.

Doing a quick release needs a slow hand but don't wait too long or the wonton filling might get mushy. You wanna ease the valve just a bit at a time.

Sometimes letting it do a natural release for a couple extra minutes adds a little extra tenderness before you finish with the quick release.

Your First Taste After the Wait

The first bite of these chicken wonton tacos is all kinds of crispy and juicy goodness. You notice the crunch of the fried wonton shell crackling in your mouth with every chew.

The chicken filling is sweet, tangy, and has just enough soy flavor to make you wanna go for seconds. Plus, the cabbage and carrots add a refreshing bite right in the middle.

You catch the hint of sesame ginger dressing giving it a zing and a sprinkle of cilantro and a squeeze of lime just pulls it all together beautifully. This one's a total winner for dinner nights.

Smart Storage That Actually Works

If you got leftovers (which is rare but happens), you wanna store the chicken mixture separate from the fried wontons so they don't get soggy overnight. Use an airtight container for the filling and refrigerate.

For the wontons, wrap them loosely in paper towels inside a container to keep crispiness a little longer when you store them in the fridge.

When ready to eat again, reheat the filling gently on the stove or microwave. For the wontons, a quick zap in the oven or air fryer brings back that crispy texture much better than microwaving.

The FAQ Section You Actually Need

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast? Yeah, thighs work great! They're juicier and add a bit more flavor, but cook time stays pretty much the same.
• Can I bake the wontons instead of frying? You can, but frying gives that perfect crunch. Baking might make them slightly less crispy but it works if you wanna keep it lighter.
• How do I prevent wontons from breaking while frying? Make sure the edges are sealed tight and the oil is hot enough. Not too hot though or they'll burn quickly.
• What's the best way to reheat leftovers? Warm the filling gently on low and re-crisp wontons in oven or air fryer for the best taste.
• Can I freeze the wonton tacos? You can freeze the filling separately but fried wontons don't freeze well. Fry fresh for best texture.
• How spicy is this recipe? It's pretty mild but you can add chili flakes or sriracha if you want a kick.