Whether you just need an easy weeknight dinner or a fun game day recipe, these Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos are for you! This recipe is a play on the viral smash burger taco trend, but full of spicy buffalo flavor and creamy herby ranch. They’re simple to make in under 20 minutes and are gluten-free and dairy-free friendly!
Every so often, my husband approaches me with a recipe suggestion. He always get’s super excited about his ideas…it’s kinda cute. I don’t move forward with all of them (lol sorry Kyle) but I knew this buffalo chicken smash burger taco recipe had potential.
In case you missed it, last year (2023) there was a trend going viral on social media where people essentially combined smash burgers and tacos. The meat got pressed down super thin on a tortilla, cooked up and topped with the usual burger accompaniments. I made a greek variation last year, and it was to-die-for.
This year, we’re bringing back the viral smash burger taco trend and making it buffalo style! Just in time for the start of football season. Cue me trying to be excited about it but really dreading the fact that I won’t see my husband for several months hahaha. I will say, I can get down with the food aspect of football.
These buffalo chicken smash burger tacos are insanely easy to make and are full of spicy, smoky flavor. Enjoy them on the weeknight as a quick dinner, or make them for game day and watch everyone be amazed. Paired with a ranch slaw, they are fun, delicious and healthy too!
Why You’ll Love these Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos
- They are super easy to make for a fun weeknight dinner!
- It’s a unique take on the viral smash burger taco trend.
- They are high in lean protein, with 12g per taco!
- You can have these buffalo chicken smash burger tacos on the table in less than 20 minutes.
- They are naturally gluten free and can easily be made dairy free too.
- These tacos are full of spicy, smoky buffalo flavor and creamy herby ranch.
- They’re great for football game days!
What You Need to Make these Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos
- Corn Tortillas: To keep these gluten free, I use small corn tortillas but you could also use almond flour tortillas or normal flour tortillas if you’re not GF.
- Ground Chicken: This is a great lean protein source that I always seem to have on hand in the fridge or freezer! Feel free to use ground turkey instead.
- Buffalo Wing Sauce: I typically use Frank’s Red Hot, but this time I used the Whole Food’s brand and it was great too. You’ll need some to mix in the ground chicken mixture and more to top the tacos with.
- Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Smoked Paprika, Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: These seasonings are a must to compliment the buffalo flavors!
- Cooking Spray or Oil: Just a bit for cooking the buffalo chicken smash burger tacos.
- Romaine: The base of the slaw is shredded romaine (preferably the white parts, not the green parts), but if you want something sturdier you could use green cabbage.
- Carrots: Optional, but I like adding some finely grated carrots into the slaw for color and additional nutrients.
- Ranch: The slaw is tossed in ranch because you can’t have buffalo without ranch! I used my homemade greek yogurt ranch for a lighter, fresh and herby flavor. Feel free to use whatever ranch you prefer – Primal Kitchen is a great one for dairy free folks!
How To Make these Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos
Mix Together the Buffalo Chicken Mixture:
First, in a large bowl, add the ground chicken, buffalo wing sauce and seasonings. Incorporate with your hands, but try not to over-mix.
Press Buffalo Chicken Mixture onto the Tortillas:
Next, scoop out some of the buffalo ground chicken mixture and place it onto a corn tortilla. Press down with your hands and spread it out so that the ground chicken goes almost all the way to the edge of the tortilla. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
Cook the Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos:
Now, bring a large griddle pan or non-stick pan to medium heat. Once thoroughly pre-heated, spray or drizzle with a bit of oil. Then, add the tortillas with the meat side facing down. Cook for 3-4 minutes, pressing down on them with a spatula occasionally. Then, flip and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from the pan.
Prepare the Ranch Slaw:
Next, if you are planning to eat all of the tacos right away, toss together the slaw ingredients in a large bowl until combined. If you are eating some of them later, I would recommend topping the tacos with shredded romaine and carrots and then drizzling the ranch on top. Otherwise, the slaw will get soggy as it sits in the fridge!
Assemble Smash Burger Tacos & Enjoy:
Finally, drizzle buffalo sauce over the taco, then add the ranch slaw and enjoy!
How Do I Know When My Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos are Fully Cooked?
Since the layer of ground chicken is super thin, they cook really quick! 3-4 minutes on one side and an additional 2 minutes on the other side is more than enough. For peace of mind, you can check them with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the chicken should be at least 165F.
PS: It’s totally safe to put the raw ground chicken mixture directly onto the tortillas. As long as the tortilla stays cooking on the pan until the chicken reaches 165F, then you’re fine!
Can I Make these Dairy Free?
Yes! These buffalo chicken smash burger tacos are already gluten free (if you use corn tortillas) and are super easy to make dairy free too. Just ensure that you’re using a brand of dairy-free ranch such as Primal Kitchen. You can also make my greek yogurt ranch dressing recipe with a thick, non-dairy yogurt alternative such as Siggi’s Plant-Based.
How Should I Store Leftover Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos?
These buffalo chicken smash burger tacos are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in the fridge for about 4 days in an airtight container or bag. Then, re-heat them in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, or on a griddle pan over medium heat.
If you are planning to meal prep them, I would recommend waiting to prepare the slaw until the day you’re eating them. OR, instead of tossing together the slaw, just top the tacos with shredded romaine, carrots and a drizzle of ranch dressing.
Find the full recipe below. As always, please let me know if you tried it by commenting below or tagging me on Instagram, @munchinwithmaddie_.
Looking for More Buffalo Chicken Recipes?
- Buffalo Chicken Chili
- High-Protein Buffalo Chicken Casserole
- Mini Buffalo Chicken Tortilla Cups
- One-Pan Buffalo Chicken Orzo
- Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos
Equipment
- 2 large bowls
- griddle pan or large non-stick pan
- spatula
Ingredients
For the Buffalo Chicken Smash Burger Tacos:
- 8 small corn or flour tortillas
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 3 tbsp buffalo wing sauce + more for topping
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- cooking spray or oil
For the Ranch Slaw:
- 3 heaping cups shredded romaine *
- ½ cup grated carrots
- ¼-⅓ cup ranch (I used my homemade greek yogurt ranch)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the ground chicken, buffalo wing sauce and seasonings. Incorporate with your hands, but try not to over-mix.1 lb ground chicken, 3 tbsp buffalo wing sauce, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp black pepper
- Scoop out some of the buffalo ground chicken mixture and place it onto a corn tortilla. Press down with your hands and spread it out so that the ground chicken goes almost all the way to the edge of the tortilla. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.8 small corn or flour tortillas, cooking spray
- Bring a large griddle pan or non-stick pan to medium heat. Once thoroughly pre-heated, spray or drizzle with a bit of oil. Then, add the tortillas with the meat side facing down. Cook for 3-4 minutes, pressing down on them with a spatula occasionally. Then, flip and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from the pan.
- If you are planning to eat all of the tacos right away, toss together the slaw ingredients in a large bowl until combined. If you are eating some of them later, I would recommend topping the tacos with shredded romaine and carrots and then drizzling the ranch on top. Otherwise, the slaw will get soggy as it sits in the fridge!3 heaping cups shredded romaine, ½ cup grated carrots, ¼-⅓ cup ranch
- Drizzle buffalo sauce over the taco, then add the ranch slaw and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @munchinwithmaddie_ on Instagram and/or hashtag it #munchinwithmaddie.
OMG. This was so easy to make and turned out amazing. The smashing part was so satisfying. Husband loved them
Thank you Lilly!
These were so good and easy. I used turkey and the flavor was great. Used regular ranch w a bit of hot sauce over bagged slaw. Will be making again!
Love! Thanks Angie 🙂
So quick, so easy, so yummy!
Thank you Gill!
These were sooo good and so easy to make! I added yellow onion to the chicken part. Sprinkled some blue cheese on top too! Will be making these over and over.
So glad to hear that, thanks Erin!
These were a huge hit for Sunday football. They came together in just a few minutes and were packed with flavor! Definitely will make these again but a much bigger batch!
Thank you Karen!!
So delicious!! Very easy to make, healthy and packed with flavor. We love buffalo and this was a 10/10.
Thanks Carly!!
This is our family’s new favorite taco Tuesday meal!
So honored! Thank you Jess 🙂