Baja Chicken Chalupa Recipes

NAKED FLAMING HOT CHICKEN CHALUPAS

Steps:

• Whisk together 1 1/4 cups of the mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons of the hot sauce, 1 tablespoon each garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and 1 teaspoon of the cayenne in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Puree the avocado, Ranch seasoning, 3/4 cup of the buttermilk and the remaining 1/2 cup mayonnaise in a food processor until smooth and creamy. Transfer to a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Clean and dry the food processor.
• Pound each chicken cutlet with a meat mallet or a rolling pin between 2 pieces of plastic wrap to 1/4-inch thick. Trim any jagged edges to form an oval shape. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper and transfer to a rimmed baking tray. Set aside.
• Pulse the Cheetos® in the food processor until a fine dust. Whisk together the flour, 1/2 cup Cheeto dust, the remaining 1 tablespoon each garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, 2 teaspoons cayenne and 2 tablespoons salt in a medium bowl. Whisk together the egg, remaining 1 cup buttermilk and 3 tablespoons hot sauce in another medium bowl.
• Working with 1 piece at a time, dredge the cutlets in the flour mixture, turning to coat and packing into crevices. Shake to remove excess and return the cutlets to the baking sheet. Dip chicken into buttermilk mixture, allow excess to drip off, then pack flour mixture firmly onto chicken. Gently shake off excess.
• Arrange the breaded cutlets on a baking sheet, down the center, side-by-side (its ok if they touch). Tear off an 18-inch-long piece of aluminum foil, place 2 wooden spoons, handle-ends touching, down the length of the foil. Fold the foil in half lengthwise over the spoons to cover. Place the foil-covered spoons over the cutlets so that the handles are in the center of the cutlets and the foil covers half of each. Fold the uncovered half of each cutlet over the foil-covered spoon handles to form "taco shells." Freeze until the cutlets are very firm and hold their taco-shape, at least 1 hour up to 8 hours.
• Fill a large heavy pot, fitted with a deep fry thermometer halfway with oil. Heat over medium-high heat until 350 degrees F. Working in 2 batches, fry the chicken, turning often and adjusting the heat to maintain the temperature, until deep golden brown, 5 to 8 minutes per batch. Transfer to a wire rack set over paper towels to drain.
• Fill the chicken shells with lettuce, tomato and cheese. Drizzle with both sauces and serve more on the side.

COPYCAT TACO BELL NAKED CHICKEN CHALUPA

Steps:

• In the bowl of a blender or food processor combine ingredients for Creamy Avocado Ranch Sauce. Blend until completely smooth. Transfer to a small container, cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• In the bowl of a food processor combine ingredients for Naked Chicken Chalupa Shell. Process until completely combined and chicken has formed a paste, about three minutes. Transfer mixture to a bowl.
• Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment, flour liberally.
• Using a 1/3 cup measure lightly sprayed with cooking spray to help, divide chicken mixture into 12 portions, placing each portion on a floured baking sheet. Place both baking sheets in the freezer while you roll out chicken shells.
• Flour a washable cutting board liberally. Transfer one chicken portion to cutting board and flour the top. Using a rolling pin, roll the chicken mixture into a 6-inch circle. If the mixture is too sticky to roll, continue to freeze it for a bit longer. Make sure the rolling pin and the work surface are well floured. Place rolled out chicken rounds back in the freezer, dividing each with parchment.
• In a pie dish or shallow rimmed platter whisk together Wet Ingredients thoroughly.
• In another shallow dish stir together Dry Ingredients.
• In a large heavy bottomed pot or dutch oven, with a deep frying thermometer attached to side, heat oil over medium-high to 340°F.
• Working one at a time, remove a rolled out chicken round from the freezer, dust off excess flour, dip in egg mixture on both sides, then Dry Mixture on both sides.
• Using kitchen twine tie chicken round into "taco" shape. If chicken is too soft after breading, place in freezer again for a few minutes and continue with remaining rounds.
• Before frying make sure to have kitchen scissors and tongs on hand.
• Place Chalupa shells into hot oil one at a time. Fry for 1 1/2 minutes undisturbed. Using tongs, lift Chalupa gently to the surface of the oil. Snip string, and gently remove. Chalupa should now hold it's shape. Continue to fry until golden brown and cooked through another 2 1/2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Fill with Creamy Avocado Ranch Sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheddar cheese; serve immediately.

BAJA SAUCE

Steps:

• Place bell pepper, jalapeno pepper, and onion in the bowl of a food processor; puree until smooth. Stir together 4 teaspoons of this puree with the mayonnaise, and vinegar in a small bowl. Season with pepper, garlic powder, and cumin. Cover, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to allow flavors to develop.

BAJA BAKED CHICKEN CHEESEBURGERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Slice 1/2 of the jalapeno pepper, 1/2 of the bell pepper, and 1/2 of the onion into rings for topping. Set aside.
• Combine ground chicken and cilantro in the bowl of a food processor; season with adobo seasoning, cumin, and Mexican seasoning. Add remaining peppers and onion. Pulse until mixture is combined. Shape into 8 burgers.
• Place burgers on a rimmed baking sheet lined with a drip tray.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Place 1 slice of pepper Jack cheese on top of each burger. Add onion, bell pepper, and jalapeno slices on top.
• Spread Mexican sour cream onto each hamburger bun. Top with a chicken burger and serve immediately.

TACO BELL CHALUPA COPYCAT

Steps:

• To make Indian Fry Bread Mix dry ingredients together.
• Cut in shortening; then add milk.
• Shape dough into a long cylinder; cut into 8 equal parts.
• Flour hands, then work the pieces into 6" tortillas.
• Fry in oil until golden brown.
• To Make filling Mix dried onion with water in a small bowl and let stand for five minutes.
• Combine ground beef, flour, chili powder, paprika, and salt.
• Mix well.
• Add onions and water.
• Mix again.
• In a skillet, cook beef mixture until browned.
• Stir often while cooking so no large chunks form; it should be more like a paste.
• Remove from heat and keep warm.
• Build Chalupas starting with meat, then sour cream, lettuce cheese, and tomatoes in that order.
• Top with hot sauce or salsa if desired.

CHICKEN CHALUPAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Prepare the Tomato Salsa Cruda. Season the chicken and chayote with salt and pepper, place them in a baking dish, and roast for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool and remove the skin and bones from the chicken and tear into small strips. Cut the chayote into bite-size chunks. Toss the chicken and chayote with the Tomato Salsa Cruda and set aside.
• To assemble the chalupas, place two crisp tortillas on each plate, overlapping them. Place the lettuce on top of the tortillas, then mound the chicken and chayote mixture on the lettuce. Garnish with the Cotija cheese, sour cream, and cilantro.
• In a bowl, place the tomatoes, chilies, onion, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Store in a covered container, in the refrigerator, no more than 1 day.

BAKED CHICKEN CHALUPAS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Place tortillas on an ungreased baking sheet. Brush each tortilla with oil; sprinkle with cheese., Place chicken, tomatoes and seasonings in a large skillet; cook and stir over medium heat 6-8 minutes or until most of the liquid is evaporated. Spoon over tortillas. Bake 15-18 minutes or until tortillas are crisp and cheese is melted. Top with cabbage.

BAJA CHICKEN TACO PIZZA

Steps:

• In a blender or food processor, combine the salad dressing, salsa, lime juice and cilantro. Cover and process on high for 1-2 minutes or until smooth; set aside. In a small bowl, combine chicken and taco seasoning; set aside. , Place crust on an ungreased 12-in. pizza pan. Spread salsa mixture over crust. Sprinkle with the chicken mixture, tomato, onion and cheese. Bake at 425° for 17-20 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting. Sprinkle with lettuce; top with avocado slices. Serve immediately.