Buffalo Chicken Smash Tacos

Spicy, crispy Buffalo chicken patties smashed on tortillas and topped with a creamy ranch slaw—these tacos are a bold, satisfying, and quick weeknight dinner.

I’ve been getting a lot of questions about the pot I use for cozy one-pot meals and small-batch recipes, so I wanted to quickly share it here.

This is the Martha Stewart heart-shaped enameled cast iron Dutch oven (2-quart). It’s one of those pieces I reach for constantly when testing soups, stews, baked casseroles, and smaller comfort-food recipes.

• Heats evenly with no hot spots (huge for slow cooking)
• Non-reactive enamel interior — no seasoning required
• Perfect size for small households or side dishes
• Sturdy handles, easy to move from oven to table

It’s also a favorite with home cooks — 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 1,900 reviews — and Amazon often has a coupon available, depending on color and size.

👉 Check current price, colors, and coupon on Amazon

(Affiliate link — if you choose to buy, it helps support this recipe blog at no extra cost to you ❤️)

I first served these Buffalo chicken smash burger tacos to my family and they absolutely loved the combination of spicy chicken and creamy ranch slaw.

Ingredients

• For the Buffalo Chicken: 1 lb (450 g) 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, cooking spray or oil, for pan, 8 small tortillas (corn or flour)
• For the Ranch Slaw: 3 cups shredded cabbage, ½ cup grated carrots, ¼–⅓ cup ranch dressing (Greek yogurt preferred), 1 tbsp dill relish

Instructions

Create smooth frozen drinks, slushies, and frappés for desserts and parties using juices, coffee, or wine.

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Step 1:

In a large bowl, toss together the shredded cabbage, grated carrots, ranch dressing, and dill relish to make the slaw. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Step 2:

In another bowl, combine ground chicken, buffalo wing sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Himalayan salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined do not overwork.

Step 3:

Heat a griddle or large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and lightly coat with oil or cooking spray.

Step 4:

Divide the chicken mixture into 8 loose balls. Place a ball on each tortilla then place on the hot pan, chicken side down. Smash the chicken flat with a spatula to cover most of the tortilla.

Step 5:

Cook for 3–4 minutes until the chicken is golden and cooked through.

Step 6:

Lightly oil the tortilla side, then flip each taco so the tortilla side is down. Cook 1–2 minutes more, to your preferred crispness.

Step 7:

Remove tacos from the pan. Top each with a generous spoonful of ranch slaw. For extra zing, drizzle with more ranch or buffalo sauce if desired.

Step 8:

Serve warm and enjoy immediately.

Create smooth frozen drinks, slushies, and frappés for desserts and parties using juices, coffee, or wine.

Check price on Amazon

Create smooth frozen drinks, slushies, and frappés for desserts and parties using juices, coffee, or wine.

Check price on Amazon

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These tacos always bring my family together around the dinner table for a fun and delicious meal.

Required Tools

Large mixing bowls, box grater, large non-stick skillet or griddle, spatula, knife and cutting board

Allergen Information

Contains Dairy (ranch dressing), Wheat (if using flour tortillas), Egg (possible in ranch dressing), Mustard (possible in buffalo sauce). For gluten-free, use certified gluten-free tortillas.

Nutritional Information

Per 2 tacos: Calories 320, Total Fat 16 g, Carbohydrates 20 g, Protein 24 g

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Mix batters, prep ingredients, grate vegetables, and store leftovers easily during baking and everyday cooking.

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These tacos make a perfect quick dinner with bold flavor and a creamy finish.

Recipe FAQ

→ How do I make the chicken patties crispy?

Smash the chicken mixture directly onto the hot skillet and cook without disturbing it to develop a crispy outer crust before flipping.

→ Can I use a different dressing for the slaw?

Yes, swapping ranch for blue cheese or a dairy-free alternative works well and adds variety to the slaw’s flavor.

→ What type of tortillas work best?

Both corn and flour tortillas work, but adjust cooking times slightly to avoid burning. Gluten-free options are also suitable.

→ Is it possible to reduce carbs in this dish?

Using lettuce leaves instead of tortillas is a great low-carb alternative while maintaining the fresh texture contrast.

→ How do I store leftovers properly?

Keep cooked patties and slaw separate in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Reheat patties in a skillet to retain crispiness before assembling.