Leftover Makeover Shredded Chicken Tacos Recipe

This simple leftover makeover shredded chicken tacos recipe takes rotisserie chicken and transforms it into a Mexican-inspired dish with purple cabbage, a zesty mango salsa, and all the flavor of a taquería. According to Ksenia Prints of At the Immigrant's Table, this recipe is easy to make and a great way to use up any leftover chicken you have on hand.

We've all been there: That homemade roasted chicken (or simple Costco rotisserie chicken) that tasted great on the first day is suddenly a bit drier and much less appetizing as the days go by. To avoid throwing it away and adding to our global food waste problem, this recipe uses simple ingredients and Mexican flavors to transform this humdrum protein into a delicious twist on a classic Mexican dish that will have you saying "adios" to bland meals.

So, grab your tortillas and prepare to add some pizzazz to your next meal. Whether you're cooking for one or feeding a crowd, these tacos will surely be a hit.

You'll need a few fresh and flavorful ingredients to make this delicious Mexican-inspired meal, including shredded rotisserie chicken, peeled and diced mangoes, sweet bell peppers of at least two colors, red onion, jalapeños, and chopped cilantro leaves. You'll also need limes, grated garlic, and salt.

Have some thinly sliced purple cabbage and diced avocados on hand to top off your tacos. If you like hot things, you can grab your favorite hot sauce (though this is optional). With these simple and easy-to-find ingredients, you can quickly whip up a delicious meal.

We turn to this easy-to-make mango salsa to transform shredded chicken into a worthy taco. Its tropical flavor and natural sweetness add fresh, juicy flavor to our leftover chicken meat.

Mix diced mango, bell peppers, red onion, jalapeños, and grated garlic in a small bowl. Squeeze the juice of two limes over the mixture and add ⅓ cup of chopped cilantro leaves. Season with salt and fold together until well combined. Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed.

Toasting the tortillas is essential in making perfect shredded chicken tacos. Heat a dry skillet over medium-high heat and add the tortillas, one at a time. Cook for 30 seconds on each side until lightly browned and crispy. This will enhance the flavor and texture of the tortillas, making them more pliable and flavorful, the perfect vessel for the chicken and toppings.

Now that you have your mango salsa and toasted tortillas, it's time to assemble the tacos. Start by adding a generous amount of shredded chicken to each tortilla.

Top it with 2 spoonfuls of mango salsa, sliced purple cabbage, and diced avocado. Squeeze some lime juice over the top and sprinkle with the remaining cilantro leaves. Drizzle some hot sauce over the top for an extra kick of heat.

Once your shredded chicken tacos are assembled, it's time to enjoy them! Serve the tacos immediately with extra lime wedges on the side. The acidity of the lime juice will brighten the flavors of the tacos and add a refreshing touch.

You can also serve the tacos with a side of Mexican rice or black beans for a complete and satisfying meal. If you're feeling adventurous, try making homemade guacamole alongside the tacos.

Keep in mind that leftover tacos won't keep well as the tortillas can get soggy, but you can store the salsa, toppings, and tortillas separately for 2-3 days and assemble fresh tacos when you're ready to enjoy them again.