If you’re craving something that’s irresistibly bold and wildly fun, you have to try these Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos! This playful fusion of spicy, tangy buffalo chicken and the crispy-everywhere magic of smash burgers—tucked inside lightly toasted flour tortillas—brings the stadium flavors you love straight to your kitchen. With each bite, you’ll get juicy chicken, cheddar, crunchy lettuce, and a glorious drizzle of creamy ranch. It all comes together in under half an hour, making these tacos a new weeknight favorite for anyone who loves a good flavor party.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos keep things simple yet exciting with a handful of ingredients that deliver loads of flavor and texture. Each component plays its own special role, so don’t skip out—the magic is in the little details!
- Ground chicken: The star of the show! Provides lean, juicy protein that soaks up seasonings beautifully.
- Ranch seasoning mix: Adds zippy, herby undertones that make the filling totally crave-worthy.
- Garlic powder: For a savory boost that brings out the best in the chicken.
- Onion powder: Lends subtle sweetness and depth to every bite.
- Smoked paprika: Sneaks in a tiny bit of smokiness to balance all the heat.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning the chicken just right.
- Small flour tortillas: Perfect for crisping up under the juicy chicken and making each taco handheld bliss.
- Buffalo sauce: Tangy, spicy, classic—it’s the flavor backbone of these tacos.
- Butter: Makes the buffalo sauce luxuriously rich and helps it cling to the taco.
- Shredded lettuce: For a fresh, crisp crunch that cools the heat.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts into the hot taco for extra gooey comfort.
- Diced red onion: Adds a little bite and bright color.
- Diced pickles: Zippy, tangy pops that bring the classic burger vibe.
- Ranch dressing: Drizzled on top for a creamy, cooling finish.
- Oil for cooking: Helps everything brown beautifully and prevents sticking.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos
Step 1: Mix Up the Chicken
Start by grabbing a big bowl and tossing in your ground chicken, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix everything gently until just combined. You want it well blended, but don’t overwork the mix—it’ll keep the chicken juicy for the best smash burger effect!
Step 2: Get the Skillet Hot
Heat a large skillet over medium-high and add a quick drizzle of oil. Give it a minute to get shimmering-hot; that sizzle is where you’ll get all your golden-brown crispy edges for the Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos. Prepping the pan right is key to the signature “smash” effect.
Step 3: Build and Smash
Lay a tortilla flat in the hot skillet, then scoop out about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the seasoned chicken mixture right into the center. Here’s the fun part: use a sturdy spatula or burger press to flatten the chicken out across the tortilla. Press firmly so the chicken crisps up and cooks evenly while fusing to the tortilla. The result? An ultra-satisfying, crispy base loaded with flavor.
Step 4: Cook and Crisp
Let the chicken cook until it’s cooked through and beautifully golden—about 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the whole taco (careful, it’s hot!) and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until the tortilla is perfectly toasty and a little bit golden. Repeat with the rest of your tortillas and chicken mixture for a batch of six stellar smash burger tacos.
Step 5: Buffalo Sauce Magic
While your tacos finish up, melt butter in a small saucepan, then swirl in your buffalo sauce. Brush or drizzle this buttery, fiery goodness over each taco while they’re still fresh from the skillet—the sauce will cling, soak in, and deliver the ultimate tangy kick with every bite.
Step 6: All the Toppings
Top each Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Taco with shredded lettuce, a generous sprinkle of cheddar cheese, diced red onion, and tangy pickles. Finish with a dreamy drizzle of ranch dressing—this is where it all comes together! Serve right away for maximum crunch and flavor.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos
Garnishes
The finishing touches make all the difference! Sprinkle your Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos with extra chopped herbs, an extra hit of buffalo sauce if you love the heat, maybe even a little crumbled blue cheese for a bold twist. Whatever your favorite taco toppings, go wild and make it your own.
Side Dishes
These tacos are seriously hearty, but they also play nicely with crowd-pleasing sides. Crispy oven fries or seasoned potato wedges are a classic. A zippy coleslaw, tangy macaroni salad, or crunchy pickled veggies keep things refreshing on the side. Don’t forget a cold drink!
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re serving a crowd, build a Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos platter and let everyone customize their own with bowls of toppings and sauces. For a party, slice the tacos into halves or quarters and spear them with picks—think of them as the coolest finger food at your next game day or get-together.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftover Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos should be cooled completely, then wrapped tightly or kept in an airtight container in the fridge. Store toppings and sauces separately if you plan to reheat, to keep everything at its best.
Freezing
If you want to prep ahead, cook the chicken-smash tortillas, let them cool, and freeze them stacked with parchment between each layer. They’ll keep well for up to a month—just add fresh toppings when serving for best results.
Reheating
To bring Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos back to life, reheat in a hot dry skillet for a few minutes on each side until warmed through and crispy. Microwave in a pinch, but the skillet really makes them taste freshly made. Add the toppings just before serving to keep them bright and crunchy.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Ground turkey works just as well, soaking up the same flavors. Just keep an eye on cook time, since turkey can dry out a bit more quickly; don’t overcook to keep your tacos juicy.
What’s the best buffalo sauce for Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos?
Your favorite store-bought buffalo sauce will work, but if you have a homemade version, go for it! Look for something with a good balance of tang and heat, or adjust with extra butter if you want it milder.
How do I keep the tortillas from getting soggy?
Make sure you’re browning the tortillas well after flipping the tacos. Serving Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos right away, while hot and crispy, also helps! If prepping ahead, avoid saucing and topping until just before serving.
Can I make them gluten-free?
Definitely—just swap in your favorite small gluten-free tortillas! All the other ingredients in Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos are naturally gluten-free, so your bases are covered.
How spicy are these tacos?
They’re punchy, but the ranch and veggies mellow things out beautifully. To turn up the heat, add a little extra hot sauce or sliced jalapeños; for less spice, choose a mild buffalo sauce or add a little more butter to the sauce.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to serve up a wildly flavorful, crazy-fun dinner, you’ll fall head over heels for Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos. They’re quick enough for a weeknight but special enough to share—so round up your friends and make these a new taco night tradition!
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Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 tacos
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos are a delicious fusion of flavors, combining the spicy kick of buffalo sauce with the savory goodness of a smash burger, all wrapped up in a convenient taco form. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal!
Ingredients
Ground Chicken:
1 lb
Ranch Seasoning Mix:
1 tablespoon
Garlic Powder:
1 teaspoon
Onion Powder:
1/2 teaspoon
Smoked Paprika:
1/2 teaspoon
Salt and Pepper:
to taste
Flour Tortillas:
6 small
Buffalo Sauce:
1/2 cup
Butter:
1 tablespoon
Shredded Lettuce:
1/2 cup
Shredded Cheddar Cheese:
1/2 cup
Diced Red Onion:
1/4 cup
Diced Pickles:
1/4 cup
Ranch Dressing:
for drizzling
Oil:
for cooking
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken Mixture: Combine ground chicken with ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
- Cook Tacos: Heat a skillet, place a tortilla, add chicken mixture, press down to flatten, cook until browned, then flip and crisp the tortilla. Repeat for remaining tacos.
- Prepare Buffalo Sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan, stir in buffalo sauce. Brush or drizzle over cooked tacos.
- Assemble Tacos: Top with lettuce, cheddar cheese, onion, pickles, and a drizzle of ranch dressing.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately while warm.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, press the chicken firmly and don’t overcrowd the pan.
- You can swap out ranch seasoning for blue cheese dressing if preferred.
- Add sliced jalapeños for a spicy kick.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 690 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
