By Easy Chicken Birria Tacos: A Healthier Oven-Baked Twist
Does your dinner need a little pizzazz without taking over your entire evening?
Many dish ideas with tacos in their title sound easy enough but they usually end up messy, greasy or take way too much time. Although the traditional birria is quite tasty, it may look heavy and time-consuming if you want to have it for a regular weeknight meal.
In that case, these easy chicken birria tacos will be your rescue!
They are just like the original birria dishes in taste and aroma, but they are healthier, quicker and the cooking process goes in the oven rather than the deep fryer. You still get your crunchy, perfectly balancing the level of melty cheese, and bold dipping broth, only now the amount of oil and the workload are reduced.
If the thought of what to make for dinner has been a source of stress and monotony lately, just pin this recipe and use it for your next taco evening.
Disclaimer:
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This comes at no extra cost to you.
What Are Chicken Birria Tacos?
Chicken birria tacos are crunchy tacos stuffed with shredded chicken which is prepared by simmering the chicken in a spicy flavorful broth before baking. The tacos are then served with a small bowl of flavorful dip called consommé.
The reason is that chicken birria tacos are not very fatty and need less time preparing than traditional ones, so it is ideal for cooking on a weeknight when you do not have a lot of time.
The reference to birria here is of the type of birria which is typically beef or goat and slowly cooked over low heat for hours.
Using chicken flavors does not change the situation, but it does reduce the time of cooking by almost half.
This may be a good first recipe for you if you have never made a birria dish before.
Plus, I have realized that this recipe is a great way to bring birria to your family table because the taste is very decadent without the heaviness that often comes with the dishes that use meat as the main ingredient.
Are chicken birria tacos healthier than beef birria?
Absolutely!
Among other things, chicken is a better choice in terms of fat because it has less saturated fat. Cooking in the oven rather than the deep fryer is also a good way of reducing the use of oil.
Therefore, this dish is not only delicious but also a healthier alternative.
Why These Healthy Chicken Birria Tacos Work So Well
These tacos are crispy, flavorful and really quite easy to whip up.
They also provide a good amount of protein and are down-to-earth enough for everyday dinners.
Here’s the list of reasons why they make a good meal:
- Baked in the oven rather than fried in oil
- Makes in less time than the traditional birria
- High in protein and very filling
- Excellent for preparing multiple meals in advance
- Flavors that even kids will like
- Very simple to heat up again
When you are looking to create a healthier dinner routine, dishes like this one can easily become part of your weekly high-protein meals cycle.
Also, you can combine them with other fast and healthy recipes to plan your week.
Featured Snippet: How Do You Make Healthy Chicken Birria Tacos?
The simplest way to make healthy chicken birria tacos is by simmering the chicken pieces in a chili-based birria sauce, then shredding the chicken. Next, the shredded chicken and some cheese are placed in the tortillas, which are baked till they get crispy. This approach results in a taco that is low in fat, high in protein and better for your health with less oil being used than in traditional fried birria tacos.
Ingredients for Healthy Oven-Baked Chicken Birria Tacos
Using few ingredients, the flavors are incredible, as if the BBQ took hours.
Most items are staple pantry ingredients.
For the Chicken
- thighs, boneless, skinless 2 lbs.
- salt 1 tsp
- black pepper ½ tsp
For the Birria Sauce
- 4 guajillo chilies, dried
- 2 ancho chilies, dried
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 white onion, medium
- 2 tbsp. tomato paste
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
For the Tacos
- 10 corn tortillas
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Oaxaca cheese
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
- ½ cup diced onion
- Lime wedges
How to Make Chicken Birria Tacos in the Oven
Chicken birria tacos are actually much simpler to make than you think.
Basically, you just have to prepare the sauce, cook the chicken, assemble the tacos and bake the whole thing until the outer shell of the tacos turns crunchy.
Step 1: Toast and Soak the Chilies
Start by heating a dry skillet over medium heat.
Toast the dried chilies for 1, 2 minutes until you can smell their aroma.
Make sure not to char them.
After that, put the chilies in hot water and let them soak for 10 minutes.
This will soften the chilies and make them easier to blend.
Quick tip: burnt chilies can cause the sauce to have a bitter taste.
Step 2: Blend the Birria Sauce
Throw the soaked chilies in a blender.
Add the rest of the ingredients like garlic, onion, tomato paste, broth, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, and vinegar.
Blend all together until you get a smooth sauce.
The sauce needs to be thick and dark red.
If it is too thick to blend, add some broth.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
Place the sauce in a large saucepan.
Now, add the chicken thighs.
Let it simmer for 25, 30 minutes over medium-low heat.
The chicken will be soft enough to shred with your hands by the time you finish cooking it.
At this time, I often taste the broth.
Just a pinch of extra salt can really transform the taste of the final dish.
Step 4: Shred the Chicken
Take out the chicken and shred it with two forks.
Return it to the sauce.
Give it a rest for 5 minutes.
This is a good trick to let the chicken absorb more flavor.
Step 5: Build the Tacos
Make a quick dip of each tortilla into the birria broth.
Put in shredded chicken.
Add cheese.
Fold the tacos and arrange them on a baking sheet.
Be careful not to overfill.
It happens to be one of the easiest errors.
Step 6: Bake Until Crispy
Baking temperature should be 425 degrees F for 12 to 15 minutes.
You can turn it over once halfway through the time if you want.
Besides the edges, the entire surface of the tortillas should be nice and crispy.
Try serving them while hot with some more consommé on the side for dipping.
That dipping broth is the essential ingredient that gives birria an extra touch of luxury.
Can You Bake Birria Tacos Instead of Frying?
Of course, and the results will be pretty good as well.
Tacos baked in an oven will be crispy and delicious yet you won’t have to use so much oil nor will the kitchen be a mess.
If you are preparing quite a few tacos, then it will be easier to bake them rather than pan-fry.
Indeed, pan-frying the tacos is the way in which they have been done traditionally. However, baking will be a better option to do regularly since it is less messy and much easier.
If you like the recipe I have here then you will most probably enjoy other oven baked recipes that are also healthy and great for quick weeknight meals if you are looking for some ideas.
Pro Tips for Crispy Chicken Birria Tacos
Several factors together will decide how crispy your tacos will be.
Small changes can yield very different results.
Use Chicken Thighs
Chicken breasts are not as good as chicken thighs for keeping the meat moist.
It is quite important when you are making baked tacos.
Don’t Soak Tortillas Too Long
Only do a very fast dipping.
If you dip them in broth for too long, they are going to be soggy.
Bake Hot
425 degrees Fahrenheit is the temperature at which everything works perfectly.
Cooking at a lower temperature will result in the item getting softer rather than becoming crisp.
Use a Wire Rack If You Can
Since air will be circulating from underneath, this is a nice feature to have giving you those crisps on all sides.
Besides the fact that the top of the taco gets crusty, the wire-rack setup will help the bottom of the taco get crusty as well by elevating it and not allowing it to sweat on the hot baking sheet which happens even if the pan is hot.
Having said that, I tested both methods of baking and using the rack gave me a more satisfying crunch every single time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
If there is something that is wrong with your birria tacos, 9 times out of 10, a repare is just a matter of correcting one or two simple mistakes on your end.
Here’s what to stay away from.
Overfilling the Tortillas
If you put in too much filling then it is likely that the tortillas will tear.
Don’t be greedy! Keep things in proportion.
Under-Seasoning the Broth
Don’t forget to give broth a taste before you cook with it.
Birria dishes need bold seasoning to be at their best.
Baking at Low Heat
When using a low temperature for cooking, in this case, it will be soft tacos that you get.
On the other hand, if you use a high baking temperature, your tacos will have crisp edges.
Adding Too Much Sauce
Only do a light “painting” or “coating” of the product.
When you use too much liquid, the tortilla will get soft, and that will be the way you want to avoid it.
Healthy Variations to Try
These chicken birria tacos are very versatile. You can change them easily depending on your aims.
High-Protein Version
Simply add more chicken. Cut down on cheese. The resulting dish will be perfect for your weekly meal preparation ideas.
Low-Carb Version
If you want to reduce your carb intake, you can replace tortillas with lettuce wraps, while keeping the dish flavorful.
Dairy-Free Version
Do not add cheese. Replace it with avocado.
Extra Spicy Version
Carry out the mixing of chipotle peppers. This will not only provide heat to the BBQ but also leave a smoky taste.
What to Serve With Chicken Birria Tacos
Birria tacos are very delicious and rich.
To have a balanced meal, it is good to add fresh sides.
Some very nice ideas are:
- Mexican rice
- avocado salad
- black beans
- fresh salsa
- grilled vegetables
Also, homemade weight loss drinks or simple fruit-based agua fresca are good choices.
And that is one of the ways that I like to make taco night a little bit lighter.
How to Store and Reheat Chicken Birria
Chicken birria can be refrigerated or frozen without losing the quality of the product.
Which is great news for people who like to have their picky leftovers sometimes.
Refrigerator
Leftover filling can be refrigerated for as long as 4 days.
If you have broth, store it separately.
Freezer
Freezing time is about 3 months.
Always use airtight containers.
Reheating
To reheat the tacos, the best way is to use an oven setting at 375°F for about 8 minutes.
That way, their crispiness will be maintained.
If possible, refrain from heating in a microwave.
This is because it makes the tortillas less firm.
Want More Easy High-Protein Taco Recipes?
To keep your weekend simple, check out my Healthy Taco Night Recipe Pack with 5 high-protein meal ideas.
If you comment or message me, I will reply with the pack within 24, 48 hours.
A very handy thing if you are looking to establish a simple dinner routine.
Before You Start: Got Questions?
If it’s your first time making birria, don’t hesitate to ask below.
Getting a quick answer to a question now can prevent you from making the mistake later.
Besides, I regularly get and respond to recipe questions.
Disclaimer:
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This comes at no extra cost to you.
FAQs About Chicken Birria Tacos
Is it possible to prepare chicken birria tacos in advance?
Of course.
You can make the chicken filling 3 days in advance and assemble fresh.
Do you freeze chicken birria?
Like most things in the world, yes.
Chicken and broth should be frozen separately for best preservation.
Which is the best cheese for birria tacos?
Both mozzarella and Oaxaca have the best meltability and give a nice stretchy texture.
Will baked birria tacos remain crispy?
Definitely. As mentioned, if the oven is preheated and tortillas are not overly soaked.
Is chicken breast a good substitute for thighs?
Sure.
However, chicken thighs retain the juiciness and have a stronger flavor.
Quick Voice Search Answers
Can birria tacos be baked?
Yes, certainly. Baking allows a crispy texture and reduced oil content.
Are chicken birria tacos a healthy choice?
Yes. They contain less fat, calories, and more protein compared to beef birria.
Is it possible to meal prep chicken birria tacos?
Yes. The filling is well-suited to be refrigerated for quick lunches/dinners.
Final Thoughts
These simple chicken birria tacos are one of those dishes that seem like special, weekend food, but really, you can turn it into a weekday meal.
Also, they’re crunchy, cheesy, flavorful, and way less complicated than regular birria.
And that’s why I make them regularly for my taco nights.
Give them a shot and personalize them.
If you do, please drop a comment and let us know what worked for you.
Also, if you want the taco recipe pack, just send me a message, and I’ll have it to you within 24, 48 hours.