Enchilada Chicken Wings

Visit my other site, For The Wing, for all things chicken-wing!

Oh yum! Mexican-inspired chicken wings with kicked up easy Ranch dressing! I loved these enchilada chicken wings so much I had to make them two days in a row. The wings by themselves are fantastic. You could serve them dry, without the sauce but the sauce will remind you of traditional wing sauce with a great south-of-the-border twist.

Enchilada Chicken Wings

I prefer to make my own taco seasoning mix, but you can of course use pre-made. For these enchilada chicken wings you’ll want to use a seasoning that is fairly fine in texture. You don’t want any big chunks of spice on your wings. First, it might burn when you cook the wings. Second, no one wants to bite into a big chunk of… .something.

I store my leftover homemade sauces in squeeze bottles. If refrigerated, I set them out an hour before using so they come to room temperature. You don’t want to put cold sauce on hot wings!
Enchilada Chicken Wings
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5 from 1 vote

Enchilada Chicken Wings

Oh yum! Mexican-inspired chicken wings with kicked up easy Ranch dressing! I loved these enchilada chicken wings so much I had to make them two days in a row. The wings by themselves are fantastic.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword southwestern, wings
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 501kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

Nutrition

Calories: 501kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 132mg | Sodium: 713mg | Potassium: 267mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 327IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Salsa Hot Dogs

Mmmmm. Boy oh boy. Salsa hot dogs. Mighty darned tasty. Like a hand-held serving of nachos. As spicy as you want it to be depending on the salsa you use. Of course, like nachos, you can add anything else you want. Like pickled jalapeno slices. Or shredded cheese. No matter what you do, these are great. I love the cool sour cream and tomatoes with the hot beef dogs and the spicy salsa, along with the crunch of the lettuce.

Salsa Hot Dogs

A Delightfully Different Dog

These salsa hot dogs were the perfect dogs to enjoy outside on the deck on a beautiful spring day. I couldn’t get over how much they were like eating nachos. But they were fun. There’s a lot of flavor in each and every bite. They’re different and delicious. I’d make these again and again.

Also try my sandwich roll hot dogs. They’re different.

Salsa Hot Dogs
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5 from 1 vote

Salsa Hot Dogs

Mmmmm. Boy oh boy. Salsa hot dogs. Mighty darned tasty. Like a hand-held serving of nachos. As spicy as you want it to be depending on the salsa you use. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword hot dogs
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Calories 253kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

  • 2 hot dog buns
  • 2 hot dogs
  • ¼ cup iceberg lettuce shredded
  • ½ Roma tomato seeded, chopped
  • 1-2 tablespoons black olives sliced
  • 1-2 tablespoons salsa
  • 1-2 tablespoons sour cream

Instructions

  • Toast the buns as desired
  • Cook the dogs.
  • Add dogs to the buns. Top with the lettuce, tomato and olives.
  • Add a dollop or so of salsa, followed by the sour cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 253kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 645mg | Potassium: 202mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 266IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Spicy Tex-Mex Party Mix

I’ve made a lot of snack mixes in my time. Traditional ones. Sweet ones. Savory ones. Sour cream and onion ones. Cajun ones. Italian-ish ones. And now, this most awesome spicy Tex-Mex party mix. Quick and easy to make.

Spicy Tex-Mex Party Mix

Bold. And Crunchy.

I really prefer our homemade taco seasoning in this spicy Tex-Mex party mix over the store bought stuff in the little packets, and not just because it’s so much cheaper to make. When you make the seasoning from scratch you can control how fine or coarse it is. For this party mix I wanted a little texture from the seasoning so I didn’t grind it for very long. There’s a lot of big things in the bowl. I didn’t want the seasoning to get lost in there.

You can also substitute your favorite Chex cereal for the cereal. Or use a combination of your favorite ones!

Also try my southwestern snack mix. Less kick, great flavor.

Spicy Tex-Mex Party Mix
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5 from 1 vote

Spicy Tex-Mex Party Mix

I’ve made a lot of snack mixes in my time. Traditional ones. Sweet ones. Savory ones. Sour cream and onion ones. Cajun ones. Italian-ish ones. And now, this most awesome spicy Tex-Mex party mix. Quick and easy to make.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Southwestern
Keyword Chex mix, spicy
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 464kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cup peanuts roasted
  • 2 ½ cup pretzels
  • 3 cups corn chips
  • 3 cups mini shredded wheat cereal not frosted Or, substitute Corn Chex cereal.
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 packet taco seasoning

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Place peanuts, pretzels, corn chips and shredded wheat cereal into a large bowl.
  • Drizzle the butter over the snack mix and fold to coat.
  • Sprinkle with taco seasoning and mix to coat.
  • Spread out on a baking sheet (or two) and bake for 10 minutes.
  • Let cool and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 464kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 575mg | Potassium: 325mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 510IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Taco Pasta

Last week was taco week here. Every dish I made was taco-themed. Now, that’s not to say any of them were traditional, but they definitely had that great taco meat flavor. This taco pasta is no exception.  The sauce is delicious – creamy with a taco kick. If you’re craving taco flavor, but are tiring … Continue reading “Taco Pasta”

Last week was taco week here. Every dish I made was taco-themed. Now, that’s not to say any of them were traditional, but they definitely had that great taco meat flavor. This taco pasta is no exception.  The sauce is delicious – creamy with a taco kick. If you’re craving taco flavor, but are tiring of handheld tacos, try this instead.

Taco Pasta

A Delicious Main Dish. And A Side Salad?

There’s a lot of great flavor in this taco pasta. The addition of flavorful meat makes for a quick and easy dinner dish. But you can also serve this as a side dish by just leaving out the meat.

I highly recommend that you shred or grate your own cheese at home. Don’t buy the pre-shredded or pre-grated stuff. It has stuff added to it to keep it from sticking together. That ‘stuff’ affects how the cheese melts. Shred it yourself and use the good stuff.

I love my homemade taco seasoning. I make a huge batch and always have it on hand.

Taco Pasta
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4 from 1 vote

Taco Pasta

Last week was taco week here. Every dish I made was taco-themed. Now, that’s not to say any of them were traditional, but they definitely had that great taco meat flavor.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword pasta, taco
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 740kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Cook pasta per package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. Drain well.
  • Brown the ground beef in a large pot.
  • Add onion and cook until just starting to soften.
  • Add the garlic and cook another 30 seconds.
  • Add the taco seasoning and salsa. Stir. Reduce heat and let simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the pasta, cream cheese and sour cream. Stir until the cheese is melted.
  • Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Serve topped with shredded cheese and jalapenos and/or cilantro if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 740kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 1433mg | Potassium: 712mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1801IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 218mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Taco Melt

My wife proclaimed this taco melt as “one of the best things I’ve ever made”. That made me pretty darned happy, since I kinda thought of the idea on my own. I’m sure I’m not the first one to think of making a patty melt-like sandwich using taco meat, but I’m glad I did. It all started with a loaf of Texas Toast. I think Texas Toast is horribly underused. It holds up to darned near anything. If you use wimpy bread you’re going to get wimpy results. Don’t do that.

Taco Melt

Taco Deliciousness

This taco melt is almost like having a Sloppy Joe sandwich. But without the sauce and the big mess. It’s packed with flavor. And the meat mixture could easily be used in a whole lot of other dishes. In fact, now that I think about that some more, I think I’ll go toss some taco meat on a hamburger bun and have lunch! It’d also be fantastic (like really fantastic) on hot dogs!

I usually use my Cuisinart Griddler for sandwiches like this melt.

Also try my ‘normal’ patty melt.

Taco Melt
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4 from 1 vote

Taco Melt

I’m sure I’m not the first one to think of making a patty melt-like sandwich using taco meat, but I’m glad I did. It all started with a loaf of Texas Toast. I think Texas Toast is horribly underused. It holds up to darned near anything.
Course Main
Cuisine Southwestern
Keyword sandwich, taco
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 830kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Brown beef in a large skillet. Drain excess fat.
  • Add onions and taco seasoning and cook 3-5 minutes.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Slather one side of each piece of Texas toast with butter.
  • Heat another large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add 4 slices of the bread, butter side down.
  • While the bread is browning, top with meat mixture and cheese.
  • Drizzle meat with 1 teaspoon of taco sauce on each slice.
  • Once the bread is nice and brown and the cheese is melted, remove to serving plates. Top with avocado.
  • Add remaining bread slices to the skillet, butter side down, and brown. Remove and top sandwiches. Serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 830kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 58g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 1321mg | Potassium: 831mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1129IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 192mg | Iron: 16mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Mexican Breakfast Taco

Ok, my Mexican breakfast taco is about the most unauthentic Mexican breakfast dish ever made. But it’s actually quite tasty and it even looks pretty good. This is my take on a breakfast burrito. Chorizo and eggs are two of my favorite things. Specially if we’re talking spicy chorizo. Make sure you use Mexican chorizo. Spanish or Portuguese chorizo is a totally different thing.

Mexican Breakfast Taco

Hard Shells… Or Soft

You can use hard or soft taco shells. I prefer the hard ones. They give a nice crunchy contrast to the texture of the eggs and the toppings. You can do whatever you want with your Mexican breakfast taco!

Mexican Breakfast Taco
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4 from 1 vote

Mexican Breakfast Taco

Ok, my Mexican breakfast taco is about the most unauthentic Mexican breakfast dish ever made. But it’s actually quite tasty and it even looks pretty good.
Course Main
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword breakfast, Mexican, taco
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 848kcal

Ingredients

For the toppings

  • 4 green onions chopped
  • 1 medium tomato seeded, chopped
  • ½ cup lettuce shredded
  • 1 avocado seeded, skinned and chopped
  • ½ cup salsa

Instructions

  • Heat taco shells per package instructions.
  • Meanwhile, brown the chorizo. Remove from pan.
  • Whisk together the eggs and cream. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until set, 3-4 minutes. They should come out looking almost like an omelet. Roughly chop.
  • To assemble the tacos, layer chorizo, cheese and eggs in bottom of taco shells. Add toppings as desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 848kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 61g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 385mg | Sodium: 1417mg | Potassium: 660mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1962IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 311mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.