Buffalo Chicken Smash Tacos Recipe
Introduction
Buffalo Chicken Smash Tacos bring a delightful twist to taco night with a spicy, tangy ground chicken patty smashed right onto soft tortillas. Topped with a crisp ranch slaw, these tacos are quick, flavorful, and perfect for any day of the week.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 3 tbsp buffalo wing sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp Himalayan salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Cooking spray or oil for pan
- 8 small tortillas (corn or flour)
- 3 cups shredded cabbage
- ½ cup grated carrots
- ¼ to ⅓ cup ranch dressing (Greek yogurt preferred)
- 1 tbsp dill relish
Instructions
- Prepare the Ranch Slaw: In a large bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, grated carrots, ranch dressing, and dill relish. Toss well to mix, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Mix Buffalo Chicken: In a separate bowl, gently combine the ground chicken, buffalo wing sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Himalayan salt, and black pepper. Mix just until combined to keep the texture intact.
- Heat Cooking Surface: Preheat a large non-stick skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and lightly coat with cooking spray or oil.
- Form and Smash Patties: Divide the chicken mixture into eight loose balls. Place one ball on each tortilla, set the chicken side down on the hot pan, and smash with a spatula until the patty covers most of the tortilla.
- Cook Chicken Patties: Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Crisp Tortillas: Lightly oil the tortilla side, flip each taco so the tortilla touches the pan, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until crisped to your liking.
- Assemble and Serve: Remove tacos from the pan and top each with a generous portion of the ranch slaw. Optionally, drizzle with extra ranch dressing or buffalo sauce. Serve immediately while warm.
Tips & Variations
- Use Greek yogurt-based ranch dressing for a healthier option with extra creaminess.
- Add chopped fresh cilantro or green onions to the slaw for a fresh flavor boost.
- For extra heat, mix in some diced jalapeños into the chicken or slaw.
- Swap ground chicken for ground turkey or beef if preferred.
Storage
Store any leftover chicken patties and slaw separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat patties gently in a skillet or microwave before assembling tacos again. Assemble fresh to keep the tortillas crisp.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use pre-cooked chicken for this recipe?
While pre-cooked chicken can be used, the texture and flavor will be different. Ground raw chicken allows the patties to form and cook evenly, giving the best results.
What kind of tortillas work best?
Both corn and flour tortillas work well for these tacos. Choose small tortillas for easier handling and better proportion to the chicken patties.
PrintBuffalo Chicken Smash Tacos Recipe
These Buffalo Chicken Smash Tacos are a delightful fusion of spicy buffalo ground chicken and crisp, tangy ranch slaw all wrapped in warm tortillas. Quick to prepare and full of flavor, this recipe offers a unique twist on traditional tacos by smashing the chicken directly on the tortilla for a perfect crispy texture balance. Ideal for a speedy weeknight dinner or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 tacos 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Buffalo Chicken:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 3 tbsp buffalo wing sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp Himalayan salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Cooking spray or oil for pan
Taco Assembly:
- 8 small tortillas (corn or flour)
- 3 cups shredded cabbage
- ½ cup grated carrots
- ¼ to ⅓ cup ranch dressing (Greek yogurt preferred)
- 1 tbsp dill relish
Instructions
- Prepare the Ranch Slaw: In a large bowl, combine shredded cabbage, grated carrots, ranch dressing, and dill relish. Toss thoroughly to combine. Cover the bowl and refrigerate until ready to assemble the tacos. This will allow the flavors to meld and keep the slaw crisp and refreshing.
- Mix Buffalo Chicken: In a separate bowl, gently combine ground chicken with buffalo wing sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Himalayan salt, and black pepper. Mix just enough to incorporate all ingredients without overworking the meat to maintain a tender texture.
- Heat Cooking Surface: Preheat a large non-stick skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Lightly coat with cooking spray or a small amount of oil to prevent sticking.
- Form and Smash Patties: Divide the chicken mixture into eight loose balls. Place one ball onto each tortilla, then set the tortilla with chicken onto the skillet chicken-side down. Use a spatula to smash the chicken ball so that it spreads and covers most of the tortilla surface evenly.
- Cook Chicken Patties: Allow the smashed chicken to cook on the skillet for 3 to 4 minutes, until the chicken is golden brown and thoroughly cooked through. Do not disturb the patties during this time to ensure proper browning.
- Crisp Tortillas: Lightly oil the tortilla side of each taco, then carefully flip so that the tortilla side is flat on the pan. Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until the tortilla crisps up to your preference, creating a nice textural contrast.
- Assemble and Serve: Remove the tacos from the skillet. Top each taco generously with the prepared ranch slaw. Optionally, drizzle with extra ranch dressing or buffalo wing sauce for added flavor. Serve immediately while still warm for the best taste and texture experience.
Notes
- You can use either corn or flour tortillas depending on your preference; both work well with this recipe.
- For a healthier twist, opt for Greek yogurt-based ranch dressing to reduce fat content.
- Ensure not to overmix the chicken to keep the patties tender and juicy.
- Adjust the buffalo wing sauce to taste for milder or spicier tacos.
- To keep the slaw crisp, prepare it just before cooking or store separately and add right before serving.
Keywords: Buffalo chicken tacos, smash tacos, spicy chicken tacos, quick dinner, ranch slaw tacos
