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Smash Chicken Tacos

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Cuisine:
Courses: ,
Difficulty: Beginner
Servings: 8
Description

These Smash Chicken Tacos are crispy, cheesy and packed with flavor. Seasoned ground chicken is pressed directly onto a tortilla and cooked until golden, then topped with melty cheese and all your favorite taco toppings. They’re quick, easy and incredibly versatile — swap the chicken for ground beef or turkey, change up the cheese, and add whatever toppings your family loves.

Perfect for Taco Tuesday or an easy weeknight dinner.

For the Smash Chicken Tacos
    For the Taco
  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 8 small flour tortillas (6-inch)
  • 1 tbsp taco seasoning
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil, as needed
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican-blend cheese
    • For the toppings
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1 medium tomato, diced
  • 1/4 cup finely diced red onion (optional)
  • Fresh cilantro (optional)
    • For the creamy taco sauce
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp taco seasoning
  • 1 water (as needed to thin)
Make the Smash Chicken Tacos
  1. 1
    In a medium bowl, combine the ground chicken with taco seasoning and mix until evenly seasoned.
  2. 2
    Divide the chicken mixture into 8 equal portions.
  3. 3
    Place one portion of chicken onto each tortilla and spread it into a thin, even layer, pressing the chicken all the way toward the edges.
  4. 4
    Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and lightly coat with oil or cooking spray.
  5. 5
    Place the tortilla chicken-side down in the hot skillet. Press gently with a spatula and cook for 3–4 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and nicely browned.
  6. 6
    Flip the taco so the tortilla side is down. Sprinkle cheese over the chicken and cook for another 1–2 minutes, until the tortilla is lightly crisp and the cheese is melted.
  7. 7
    Remove from the skillet and repeat with the remaining tacos.
  8. 8
    Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, avocado, sour cream, salsa, cilantro or your favorite taco toppings. Fold and serve warm.
Note
  • Don’t make the chicken layer too thick. Spread it thinly and evenly over the tortilla so it cooks quickly and gets nicely browned.
  • Use smaller tortillas. Street-taco or small flour tortillas are easiest to flip and give you the best chicken-to-tortilla ratio.
  • Get the skillet hot first. A properly heated skillet helps create that crispy, golden “smash” on the chicken.
  • Check for doneness. Ground chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
  • Make them your own. Try pepper jack instead of cheddar, add sliced jalapeños, or finish with avocado, pico de gallo, salsa, or your favorite taco sauce.
  • For gluten-free: Use your favorite gluten-free tortillas and double-check that your taco seasoning and toppings are labeled gluten-free.
  • Nutrition note: Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the tortillas, cheese, toppings and other ingredients used.
Keywords: Smash chicken tacos, ground chicken tacos, easy chicken tacos, Taco Tuesday, weeknight dinner, family-friendly recipes, 30-minute meals, crispy chicken tacos, homemade tacos
Read it online: https://gatheredfromhome.com/recipe/smash-chicken-taco/