Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos Recipe
If you’re hunting for the ultimate crowd-pleaser, let me introduce you to Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos. Imagine all the zippy, crave-worthy spice of Buffalo chicken wings and the juicy smack of a classic smash burger—now tuck all of that inside a toasty, golden tortilla, finished with plenty of ranch, blue cheese, and the crunchiest toppings. Whether you’re making these for game day, a weeknight family feast, or just to treat yourself, this dish always delivers that “can’t eat just one” feeling—and it comes together in about 30 minutes, start to finish!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Good news: you don’t need an overflowing pantry for Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos. Each ingredient plays a starring role for flavor, texture, or color, creating that addictive balance that makes this dish unforgettable.
- Ground chicken: The star protein—tender, juicy, and full of mild flavor that soaks up the Buffalo sauce beautifully.
- Garlic powder: Adds a mellow hint of warmth that amplifies all those savory notes.
- Onion powder: Rounds out the seasoning, delivering subtle sweetness to balance the heat.
- Salt: Enhances every flavor and keeps the chicken perfectly seasoned.
- Black pepper: For a touch of bite, adding gentle heat to each juicy bite.
- Vegetable oil: Helps achieve those golden, crispy edges on the tortillas and juicy smash burger effect on the chicken.
- Small flour tortillas: The essential vehicle that crisps up beautifully while hugging all that spicy goodness.
- Buffalo sauce: Adds that signature tang and fiery kick—customize mild, medium, or hot!
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing: The rich, cooling drizzle that brings balance to the spice bomb.
- Shredded lettuce: Brings crunch and refreshing contrast to the warm, saucy filling.
- Finely chopped celery: Classic Buffalo pairing, delivering extra crunch and a pop of green.
- Crumbled blue cheese (optional): For those who love an extra punch of creamy, tangy depth.
- Sliced green onions: Finish things off with fresh, oniony brightness and a splash of color.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos
Step 1: Season and Shape the Chicken
Start by combining ground chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl. Stir just until those spices are evenly distributed, then divide the mixture into 6 equal portions. Roll each into a loose ball—don’t make them too compact; keeping them a little airy will help them smash nicely and stay juicy when cooking.
Step 2: Heat Your Skillet or Griddle
Place a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat, and drizzle with vegetable oil. Make sure the surface is nice and hot but not smoking—this will guarantee that golden, crispy tortilla we’re aiming for with each Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Taco.
Step 3: Smash and Sear the Tacos
Lay a tortilla onto the hot skillet, then quickly set a chicken ball in the center. Use a sturdy spatula (or a burger press, for extra style points) to press the chicken firmly into a thin patty, fusing it directly to the tortilla. This is the moment you become a taco hero! Cook for 3–4 minutes, until the chicken is mostly cooked and the bottom is gorgeously golden and crisp.
Step 4: Flip and Finish Cooking
Carefully flip the taco so the chicken side is now down. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the tortilla is beautifully crisped. If the edges get a little extra toasty, all the better—it just adds to the flavor and attitude of these Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos.
Step 5: Dress and Top
Once all your tacos are ready, brush each one with Buffalo sauce, or drizzle it on generously for extra sauciness. Pile on shredded lettuce, sprinkle with celery, and finish with a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing. Add crumbled blue cheese and green onions to your heart’s delight for that over-the-top finish!
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos
Garnishes
This is your moment to go bold or keep it simple. Classic garnishes for Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos include an extra drizzle of ranch or blue cheese, more crumbled blue cheese if you really want to lean in, and plenty of fresh green onions for color and bite. Add a little chopped cilantro for a fresh, herby twist, or some extra celery leaves if you love that crisp, peppery finish.
Side Dishes
Balance the spice and richness with sides like crisp carrot and celery sticks (so nostalgic!), or a fresh slaw with lots of vinegar to cut through the heat. Fries or tater tots are a hit for obvious reasons, but a simple corn salad would also complement the flavors if you want something lighter. The versatility of Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos means you can build your plate as big or as balanced as you like.
Creative Ways to Present
You can serve these tacos taco-bar style for parties, letting each guest dress their own for a fun, interactive meal. Or, slice each taco into thirds and arrange them on a platter with skewers for irresistibly snackable sliders. For a family dinner, serve on a big wooden board with bowls of toppings—everyone will dive in before you even finish setting the table!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos, cool them completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Stack them between parchment paper to keep the tortillas from sticking together. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days, though for best texture, toppings like lettuce are best added fresh when serving leftovers.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze the cooked chicken smashed tacos (without the toppings). Let the tacos cool fully, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container, where they’ll keep for 1–2 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating and adding fresh toppings.
Reheating
To bring leftover Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos back to life, pop them in a hot skillet for a couple minutes per side, or warm them briefly in an oven or toaster oven to regain that crispy edge. Avoid the microwave if possible, as it can soften the tortilla too much. Add your fresh toppings right before serving for the best crunch and flavor.
FAQs
Can I make Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos with ground turkey or beef?
Absolutely! You can swap in ground turkey for a similar texture and flavor, or use ground beef for a different but equally delicious twist. The smash and sear method works beautifully with either option.
How spicy are these tacos?
The heat level all comes down to your Buffalo sauce. Choose a mild sauce for gentle flavor, medium or hot if you want your taste buds to tingle. You can always adjust the quantity to your liking, and cool things down with an extra drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Can I make these tacos gluten-free?
Yes! Simply substitute small gluten-free tortillas, making sure they are sturdy enough to handle the smash burger treatment. You can also try lettuce wraps for a low-carb, totally gluten-free twist.
What if I don’t have a burger press?
No worries—you only need a good, sturdy spatula. Just press down firmly to flatten the chicken ball into the tortilla so you get that restaurant-worthy smash burger effect right in your skillet.
What’s the best way to keep Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos crispy?
Serve them immediately after cooking! If you must hold them, a wire rack in a warm oven will help prevent the bottoms from steaming and going soggy. Add cold toppings like lettuce, celery, and dressing right before serving to maintain that glorious crispiness.
Final Thoughts
If you love bold flavors and playful cooking, Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos are your new kitchen adventure. They’re spicy, juicy, crisp on the edges—every bite is packed with personality. Gather your ingredients and give this unforgettable taco mash-up a try; your next taco night will never be the same!
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Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 tacos 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos are a unique twist on traditional tacos, featuring smashed ground chicken patties infused with bold flavors, all topped with classic buffalo sauce and creamy dressing. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal!
Ingredients
Ground Chicken Patties:
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 6 small flour tortillas
- 1/3 cup buffalo sauce
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
- sliced green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken Patties: Mix ground chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Shape into 6 balls.
- Cook Patties: Heat oil in a skillet, place a tortilla, add a chicken ball, and smash into a patty. Cook until golden and crispy.
- Assemble Tacos: Drizzle buffalo sauce over patties, top with lettuce, celery, dressing, blue cheese, and green onions. Serve hot.
Notes
- Adjust spice level with buffalo sauce variation.
- Best enjoyed fresh for optimal texture.
- Low-carb option: use lettuce wraps or low-carb tortillas.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
