Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos Recipe
Introduction
These Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos are a fantastic weeknight meal, bringing together bold buffalo flavors and crispy textures in a fun taco form. Quick to prepare and packed with zesty goodness, they’re sure to become a family favorite.
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
- 8 small tortillas (corn or flour)
- Cooking spray or oil
- 3 cups shredded cabbage
- ½ cup grated carrots
- ¼–⅓ cup ranch dressing (Greek yogurt preferred)
- 1 tbsp dill relish
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine shredded cabbage, grated carrots, ranch dressing, and dill relish. Mix well and chill the slaw until ready to serve.
- Step 2: In another bowl, mix together ground chicken, buffalo wing sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Himalayan salt, and black pepper until just combined.
- Step 3: Heat a griddle or large pan over medium-high heat and add a little oil or cooking spray.
- Step 4: Form the chicken mixture into loose balls. Place each ball onto a taco tortilla on the pan, then smash it flat to create thin patties.
- Step 5: Cook the smashed chicken patties for 3–4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Step 6: Lower the heat, lightly oil the taco tortillas, and flip onto the tortilla side. Cook to your preferred tortilla texture: soft or crispy.
- Step 7: Assemble the tacos by layering the buffalo chicken patties with the chilled slaw salad. Drizzle with extra Greek yogurt ranch sauce or buffalo sauce if desired.
- Step 8: Serve warm and enjoy your flavorful buffalo chicken smash burger tacos!
Tips & Variations
- Use Greek yogurt in the ranch dressing for a healthier, tangier twist.
- Swap ground chicken for turkey or beef if preferred.
- For extra heat, add a few dashes of hot sauce to the slaw or drizzle on top before serving.
- Try using corn tortillas for a gluten-free option or flour tortillas for a softer bite.
Storage
Store leftover buffalo chicken patties and slaw separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat patties in a skillet over medium heat to keep them crispy. Warm tortillas separately before assembling leftover tacos.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make these tacos ahead of time?
You can prepare the slaw and chicken mixture in advance, but it’s best to cook and assemble the tacos just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.
What if I don’t have buffalo wing sauce?
You can mix hot sauce with melted butter or use a store-bought spicy wing sauce as a substitute to achieve a similar flavor.
PrintBuffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos Recipe
These Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos combine the bold flavors of spicy buffalo chicken with the satisfying crunch of a smashed burger, all wrapped in soft or crispy tortillas. Topped with a refreshing cabbage and carrot slaw dressed in ranch and dill relish, these tacos provide an easy, flavorful weeknight meal that’s both fun and quick to prepare.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 tacos 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the 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
For the Slaw
- 3 cups shredded cabbage
- ½ cup grated carrots
- ¼ –⅓ cup ranch dressing (Greek yogurt preferred)
- 1 tbsp dill relish
For Assembly & Cooking
- 8 small tortillas (corn or flour)
- Cooking spray or oil for frying
Instructions
- Prepare the slaw: In a bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, grated carrots, ranch dressing, and dill relish. Mix well to evenly coat the vegetables with the dressing. Chill this slaw mixture in the refrigerator while preparing the rest of the meal to allow flavors to meld.
- Mix the chicken: In a separate bowl, thoroughly mix the ground chicken with buffalo wing sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Himalayan salt, and black pepper until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat to keep it tender.
- Preheat the cooking surface: Heat a griddle or a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat and add a small amount of oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking and promote even cooking.
- Form and smash the chicken: Scoop loose balls of the buffalo chicken mixture onto the hot griddle. Place a tortilla on the griddle and press the chicken ball down to smash it flat onto the tortilla, creating a thin patty that cooks quickly.
- Cook the patties: Let the smashed chicken patties cook for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, flipping carefully if necessary to ensure even cooking without breaking.
- Cook the tortillas: Lower the heat slightly and lightly oil the tortillas on the pan. Flip them onto the tortilla side, cooking until desired softness or crispiness is achieved, depending on your preference.
- Assemble the tacos: Remove the tortillas with the cooked chicken patties from the griddle. Top each with a generous spoonful of the chilled slaw. Drizzle with additional Greek yogurt ranch dressing or buffalo sauce if desired for an extra kick.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve the tacos immediately while warm for the best texture and flavor. Enjoy your quick and flavorful buffalo chicken smash burger tacos as a satisfying weeknight meal.
Notes
- Use ground chicken with a bit of fat content (at least 7%) to keep the patties juicy and flavorful.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to your preferred heat level.
- For a gluten-free option, use corn tortillas.
- Your choice of ranch dressing can be replaced with a vegan or dairy-free version if desired.
- To make the tacos crispier, cook the tortillas longer on each side but be careful not to burn them.
Keywords: Buffalo chicken tacos, smash burger tacos, ground chicken tacos, weeknight dinner, spicy chicken tacos
