Chico’s Tacos recipe is a delicious and easy-to-follow guide that will help you make your own version of the iconic El Paso dish. This recipe is based off the original Chico’s Tacos from El Paso, TX, and is sure to be a hit with friends and family alike. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can make your own Chico’s Tacos in no time.
- Publisher: Pithy Recipe
- Cuisine: Mexican, American
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Servings: 3
Chico’s Tacos
Chico’s Tacos is a chain of fast food restaurants that was founded in El Paso, Texas in 1953. The restaurants are known for their signature dish, the Chico taco, which is a small, fried taco filled with ground beef, lettuce, cheese, and salsa.
This recipe will show you how to recreate the famous Chico taco at home using simple, easy-to-find ingredients. Our homemade version is just as tasty as the original, and it’s perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner. Follow the steps below to make your own Chico’s Tacos, and be sure to customize the filling and toppings to your liking.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 jalapeños (stems removed)
- 2 tomatillos
- 2 garlic Clove
- 7 large red ripe tomatoes
- 1 medium can tomato paste
- 2 pounds of seasoned ground beef
- 30 corn tortillas
- 1 bag of finely shredded cheese
- Salt to taste
- Water
Instructions
- Boil jalapenos and tomatillos in a saucepan with water until soft, then remove the seeds from the jalapeos.
- Place them in a blender with 1 garlic clove, water, and salt and blend until smooth. As needed, add water and salt. Store in a plastic container and freeze if desired.
- Boil the tomatoes in a pot of water until soft, then peel them.
- In a blender, combine boiled tomatoes. Add the remaining garlic clove, water, canned tomato paste, and salt. Blend until the desired consistency is reached. Save one side.
- In a large skillet, deep fry the seasoned ground beef.
- Heat enough oil in another large skillet and place the tortilla in it. Place it on a plate after turning it over on the other side. [Repeat for the remaining tortillas. Make sure the tortillas are soft enough to roll easily.]
- Roll tortillas tightly with ground beef.
- Place the tortillas on a baking sheet.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until crisp.
- When the tacos are finished, warm the sauce in a saucepan.
- Place your tacos in a bowl or tray, then top with your sauce, shredded cheese, and serrano chile or lime juice.
- Enjoy your Chico’s Tacos!
Useful Video
This is a video about Chicos tacos.
Rated: 4.9 of 5.0 from 57 reviews.
Recipe Tags: Chicos Tacos, Chicos Tacos Recipe
Serving
Arrange the tacos on a plate or tray and serve them with any additional toppings or condiments that you like. Some options include sour cream, guacamole, diced tomatoes, or hot sauce.
Invite your friends or family to join you in enjoying the homemade Chico’s Tacos. You can also serve the tacos with a side of beans, rice, and chips if desired.
Tips
- After removing the jalepano seeds, please don’t forget to wash your hands.
- You could dtart with a cup of water and keep adding until the soup is the desired thickness.
- Another thing is, make sure the tortilla didn’t break while rolling by being cautious. It is very important.
- You can also add some lime juice, but watch out for getting it too hot.
You can enhance your meal with some crinkle-cut, crispy fries.
Storage
- Place the leftover tacos in a clean, airtight container.
- If the tacos contain any perishable ingredients as our recipe here, such as ground beef or lettuce, they should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. If the tacos are made with fully cooked ingredients, such as beans or rice, they can be stored at room temperature.
- You can as well label the container with the date that the tacos were prepared, and use them within 3-4 days to ensure they are still fresh and safe to eat.
- If you want to freeze the tacos, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before placing them in a freezer-safe container. Alternatively, you can place the tacos in a resealable plastic bag and squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing.
- When reheating your leftover Chico’s Tacos, be sure to heat them to a safe internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that any bacteria that may have grown during storage are destroyed. You can use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the tacos, or you can heat them in the microwave or on the stove until they are hot and steaming.
Ingredients Substitutes
- Ground beef: If you don’t have ground beef, you can use ground turkey, chicken, pork, or lamb. You can also use crumbled tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian option.
- Lettuce: If you don’t have lettuce, you can use shredded cabbage, spinach, kale, or arugula.
- Cheese: Any type of cheese can be used in Chico’s Tacos. Some options include cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby, or queso fresco.
- Salsa: You can use any type of salsa that you like in Chico’s Tacos. Alternatively, you can make your own salsa by blending diced tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, cilantro, and lime juice.
- Beans: You can use any type of beans that you like in Chico’s Tacos. Some options include black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, or refried beans.
- Corn tortillas: You can use any type of chips that you like in Chico’s Tacos instead of tortillas. Some options include corn chips, tortilla chips, or plantain chips. You can also make your own chips by slicing and frying corn tortillas like we did in this recipe.
This homemade recipe is a delicious and satisfying way to recreate the flavors of Chico’s Tacos in your own kitchen. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can enjoy this classic El Paso dish any time you like.
