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Buffalo Chicken Smash Tacos Recipe

4.9 from 139 reviews

These Buffalo Chicken Smash Tacos combine flavorful ground chicken seasoned with spicy buffalo wing sauce and smoky spices, cooked until golden and served in crispy tortillas topped with a refreshing ranch slaw. Perfect for a quick, tasty meal that balances heat and cool creaminess.

Ingredients

Scale

Buffalo Chicken Patties

  • 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

Tortillas & Toppings

  • 8 small tortillas (corn or flour)
  • 3 cups shredded cabbage
  • ½ cup grated carrots
  • ¼ to cup ranch dressing (Greek yogurt preferred)
  • 1 tbsp dill relish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ranch Slaw: Combine shredded cabbage, grated carrots, ranch dressing, and dill relish in a large bowl. Toss well, then cover and refrigerate until ready to use, allowing flavors to meld.
  2. Mix Buffalo Chicken: In a separate bowl, gently combine ground chicken, buffalo wing sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Himalayan salt, and black pepper. Mix just until combined to keep a tender texture.
  3. 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.
  4. Form and Smash Patties: Divide the chicken mixture into eight loose balls. Place one ball on each tortilla with the chicken side down on the hot pan, then smash it flat with a spatula so it covers most of the tortilla surface.
  5. Cook Chicken Patties: Cook the patties for 3 to 4 minutes until the ground chicken is cooked through and the bottom side is golden brown.
  6. Crisp Tortillas: Lightly oil the tortilla side of the tacos, flip each taco so the tortilla side touches the pan, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until the tortilla crisps to your preference.
  7. Assemble and Serve: Remove the tacos from the pan, top each with a generous portion of the chilled ranch slaw, and optionally drizzle with extra ranch dressing or buffalo sauce. Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Use Greek yogurt-based ranch dressing for a healthier, protein-rich slaw.
  • Adjust the amount of buffalo wing sauce to control spiciness according to your taste.
  • Can be served with corn or flour tortillas depending on preference or dietary needs.
  • Make sure not to overmix the chicken mixture to keep patties tender.
  • Leftover slaw can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
  • For extra crispness, press tortillas gently when cooking the tortilla side.

Keywords: Buffalo chicken tacos, smash tacos, ground chicken recipe, buffalo sauce, ranch slaw, quick dinner, spicy tacos