Deliciously Easy Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos: Your 16-Minute Dinner

Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos are a brilliant culinary mashup that takes the best of a smash burger and buffalo chicken and puts it all in a taco. Imagine a perfectly seasoned ground chicken patty, crisped directly onto a tortilla, all infused with a zesty buffalo sauce. Each bite is a delightful contrast of the savory, spicy chicken with a cool, creamy ranch slaw, making for a flavor-packed experience. This dish is unbelievably fast, coming together in just 16 minutes, and is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, a fun game day appetizer, or a family-friendly meal.

This recipe celebrates the art of simplicity and bold, satisfying flavors. The smash technique ensures a delicious sear on the chicken, while the ranch slaw provides a refreshing, crunchy counterpoint. It’s a fun and easy dish that is guaranteed to become a new favorite. You can visit our New York for more delicious recipes.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

Feature	Benefit
Lightning Fast	Ready in just 16 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight fix.
Flavor-Packed	Combines spicy buffalo chicken with cool, creamy ranch and a fresh slaw.
Unique & Fun	A creative mashup of tacos, smash burgers, and buffalo chicken flavors.
Crispy Texture	The smashed chicken and griddled tortilla have an irresistible sear and crunch.
Versatile	Can be customized with your favorite toppings and heat level.

An Overview of Flavors and Textures

The Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos are a masterful blend of rich flavors and satisfying textures.

The ground chicken, when “smashed” and cooked directly onto the tortilla, forms a beautifully crispy and browned crust on one side, while staying tender on the other. This chicken is infused with the bold, savory, and spicy flavor of Buffalo wing sauce and a hint of smoky paprika, garlic, and onion powder.

The tortilla cooks until it is soft, yet has a toasted, slightly crunchy quality on the outside.

This is all perfectly balanced by a cool, refreshing ranch slaw, made from crisp shredded romaine and grated carrots. The slaw, dressed in a creamy ranch dressing, provides a cool, tangy, and crunchy counterpoint to the hot, spicy chicken. This Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos dish is a truly addictive blend of crispy, tender, spicy, and cool.

The Star of the Show: The Smash Burger Technique

While the buffalo chicken flavor is key, the true defining characteristic and “star” of these Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos is the innovative smash burger technique. This method involves spreading the raw ground chicken mixture directly onto the tortilla and cooking it meat-side down on a hot griddle or pan. This direct contact with the heat creates an incredible sear, forming a thin, crispy, golden-brown crust that locks in the juices and enhances the flavor. This simple yet brilliant technique is what gives these tacos their unique texture and separates them from a standard taco, proving that a small change in cooking method can make a huge impact on the final result.

How to Make Your Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos

This recipe is designed for maximum speed and flavor with minimal fuss. The key is in using the smash burger technique and cooking on a hot griddle or pan.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 6 minutes Total Time: 16 minutes Servings: 8 tacos Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

Component	Amount	Ingredient	Notes
For the Buffalo Chicken:	8 small	Corn or flour tortillas
	1 lb	Ground chicken
	3 tbsp	Buffalo wing sauce	Plus more for drizzling
	1 tsp	Garlic powder
	½ tsp	Onion powder
	½ tsp	Smoked paprika
	½ tsp	Kosher salt
	¼ tsp	Black pepper
	As needed	Cooking spray or oil	For the pan
For the Ranch Slaw:	3 heaping cups	Shredded romaine
	½ cup	Grated carrots
	¼–⅓ cup	Ranch dressing	Greek yogurt ranch recommended

Instructions

1. Make the Chicken Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, 3 tablespoons of buffalo wing sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to gently mix the ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix the chicken, as this can make it tough.
2. Assemble the Smash Tacos: Scoop a portion of the seasoned chicken mixture and press it directly onto one side of a tortilla. Use your hands to spread the meat evenly until it almost reaches the edges of the tortilla. Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas and chicken mixture.
3. Cook the Tacos: Heat a griddle or a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Once hot, spray or lightly oil the surface. Carefully place the tacos, meat-side down, in the pan. Cook for 3–4 minutes. Use a spatula to gently press down on each taco to sear the meat. Flip and cook for another 2 minutes, or until the tortillas are golden-brown and the chicken is cooked through. Remove and set aside.
4. Make the Ranch Slaw: In a large bowl, toss together the shredded romaine, grated carrots, and ranch dressing until everything is evenly coated.
5. Assemble & Serve: Drizzle each cooked taco with extra buffalo sauce if you’d like. Top with a generous scoop of the fresh ranch slaw. Serve the Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos immediately and enjoy!

Expert Tips for Your Smash Tacos

Category	Tip
Chicken Prep	Don’t over-mix the chicken mixture. Mixing it just until combined will keep the meat tender and juicy.
Smashing	Use a spatula to press the chicken onto the griddle for a good sear. Be gentle but firm.
Slaw Freshness	If you plan to have leftovers, store the slaw and the dressing separately and combine them just before serving to avoid sogginess.
Spice Level	Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce and add a pinch of chili flakes to the chicken mixture to control the spice level.
Serve Immediately	These tacos are best enjoyed fresh off the griddle while the chicken is hot and crispy.

Conclusion: Your Deliciously Easy & Fast Dinner

The Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos are a true delight—a perfect blend of crispy, spicy, and creamy flavors that comes together in a flash. With a satisfying texture and a bold, delicious taste, they are the ultimate solution for a quick and fun weeknight dinner. Easy to make and guaranteed to be a hit with everyone, this Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos recipe is sure to become a beloved favorite in your kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use a different type of ground meat? Yes, you can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey or beef for a similar result. Just be sure to season it well.

Can I air fry these tacos? Yes, you can. Lightly spray the tacos with oil and place them meat-side up in a preheated air fryer at 375°F (190°C). Air fry for 6-8 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked and the tortilla is golden.

What if I don’t have Greek yogurt ranch? You can use any ranch dressing you prefer. A Greek yogurt-based ranch is recommended for its tangy flavor and thicker consistency, but any variety will work well.

Can I use a different type of slaw? Yes, you can! A coleslaw mix or shredded iceberg lettuce would work well. You could also use a crunchy vegetable mix with some bell peppers and red onion for a more robust slaw.

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