The Best Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos Recipe You’ll Ever Try

Crispy chicken caesar smash tacos deliver a delightful twist on classic comfort food.

Layers of savory ingredients create an unexpected culinary adventure.

Bold flavors dance across your plate with surprising harmony.

Crunchy tortillas provide the perfect canvas for zesty chicken and creamy dressing.

Mexican-inspired techniques merge seamlessly with traditional caesar elements.

Each bite promises a burst of satisfaction that will keep you coming back for more.

Prepare to experience a mouthwatering fusion that redefines taco night.

Why Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos Are So Satisfying

• Smash and Sizzle Technique: Master a unique cooking method that transforms ground chicken into crispy, flavorful taco perfection with minimal kitchen skills required.
• Flavor Explosion Combo: Combine classic Caesar salad elements with Mexican-style tacos, creating an unexpected and delightful fusion that surprises taste buds.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Prepare a gourmet-style meal in just a few simple steps, making it ideal for busy home cooks seeking a delicious dinner solution without complex techniques.
• Customizable Culinary Adventure: Easily adapt the recipe by adding or removing ingredients, allowing home chefs to personalize the dish to their taste preferences and dietary needs.

What You’ll Need For Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos

• Ground Chicken: A lean and flavorful protein that forms the core of the taco filling.
• Bacon: A crispy meat that adds rich, smoky flavor to the dish.

• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Bright citrus notes that enhance the chicken's taste.
• Crushed Garlic: Adds a pungent and aromatic base to the chicken mixture.
• Thyme, Chives: Fresh herbs that provide depth and subtle green notes.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and elevate the overall flavor.

• Aioli, Parmesan Cheese, Fish Sauce, Dijon Mustard, White Miso Paste: Complex ingredients that create a rich and tangy Caesar sauce.

• Tortillas: The base for holding the taco filling.
• Romaine Lettuce: Crisp and fresh salad green that adds texture.
• Crispy Chickpeas, Scallions: Crunchy elements that provide additional texture and flavor.

• Olive Oil: Used for cooking and adding moisture to the chickpeas and tacos.
• Smoked Paprika: Adds a smoky, slightly spicy flavor to the crispy chickpeas.

How To Build Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos

Step 1: Roast Crunchy Chickpeas

• Olive oil
• Smoked paprika
• Salt

Bake for 15 minutes until golden and crispy.

Set aside for later.

Step 2: Sizzle Bacon Strips

Cook streaky bacon in a hot skillet until perfectly crisp, about 5 minutes.

Transfer to a paper towel to drain excess grease.

Step 3: Blend Caesar Sauce

• Aioli
• Parmesan cheese
• Fish sauce
• Dijon mustard
• White miso paste
• Black pepper

Step 4: Toss Fresh Salad

• Shredded Romaine lettuce
• Crispy chickpeas
• Crumbled bacon
• Chopped scallions
• Half the Caesar sauce

Toss until ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 5: Prepare Chicken Mixture

• Ground chicken
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Crushed garlic
• Salt
• Thyme
• Chives
• Black pepper

Mix thoroughly until well blended.

Step 6: Build Taco Base

Spread a heaping tablespoon of chicken mixture evenly across each tortilla.

Step 7: Smash and Sear Tacos

Heat oil in a skillet over high heat. Place tortillas chicken-side down, pressing firmly with a spatula.

Cook for 4 minutes, then flip and cook an additional minute.

Step 8: Final Touchdown

• Caesar salad mixture
• Extra Parmesan cheese
• Chopped chives
• Additional Caesar dressing

Serve hot and enjoy immediately!

Tips For Making Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos

• Crisp up chickpeas in advance for extra crunch and texture in your tacos. Select ground chicken with a lean-to-fat ratio around 90/10 for the best flavor and moisture. Swap bacon with turkey bacon or omit for a lighter version if desired. Use fresh herbs like chives and thyme to elevate the overall taste profile of the dish. Experiment with corn or flour tortillas based on personal preference, ensuring they're fresh and pliable for optimal taco assembly.

Fun Ideas For Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos

• Spicy Mexican Fusion: Replace ground chicken with spicy chorizo and add jalapeños to the Caesar salad for a fiery kick.
• Mediterranean Greek Wrap: Swap tortillas for pita bread, use ground lamb instead of chicken, and incorporate tzatziki sauce with the Caesar dressing.
• Seafood Caesar Option: Substitute ground chicken with chopped shrimp or crab meat, adding fresh dill and lemon zest for a maritime flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Protein Crunch: Use crumbled tofu or plant-based ground meat alternative, topped with crispy roasted chickpeas and nutritional yeast for umami depth.

Top Pairings For Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio cuts through the rich, creamy Caesar sauce and complements the tangy chicken perfectly.
• Refresh with Citrus Cocktail: Craft a light lemon martini or zesty margarita that echoes the recipe's bright citrus notes from lemon zest and juice.
• Match with Craft Beer: Choose a crisp pilsner or light wheat beer that balances the smoky bacon and provides a clean, refreshing counterpoint to the hearty taco.
• Enhance with Sparkling Water: Add a splash of lime or grapefruit-infused sparkling water to cleanse the palate between bites of the rich, creamy chicken Caesar taco.

How To Store Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos Right

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken mixture and salad separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Keep Caesar sauce in a sealed jar in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Wrap uncooked chicken mixture and tortillas separately in freezer-safe bags. Freeze for maximum 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.
• Reheat Tacos: Warm tortillas with chicken in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Alternatively, use a microwave for 30-45 seconds, covering with a damp paper towel to prevent drying.
• Crisp Reheating: Restore crispiness by placing tacos in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. This method helps maintain the tortilla's texture and revives the chicken's golden edges.

Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos Q&A

• What makes the chicken unique in this recipe?

The ground chicken is infused with bright flavors like lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, thyme, and chives, creating a zesty and herbaceous profile that elevates the traditional taco.

• Can I use pre-ground chicken or should I grind it myself?

Pre-ground chicken works perfectly fine. The key is to ensure the meat is fresh and has good fat content for flavor and crispy texture when smashed in the skillet.

• Why smash the chicken on the tortilla?

Smashing the chicken creates a crispy, golden-brown exterior that adds incredible texture and develops deeper flavor through caramelization when cooked in a hot skillet.

Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Culinary magic happens when classic chicken caesar salad meets Mexican street food in these chicken caesar smash tacos. Crispy tortillas packed with zesty caesar-seasoned chicken create an irresistible fusion that promises to elevate casual dining for you.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound/500g ground chicken
• 4 slices streaky bacon

Dairy and Cheese:

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup aioli or mayonnaise

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon white miso paste
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 3 scallions (spring onions), finely sliced
• 1 Romaine lettuce, shredded
• 14 ounces/400g can of chickpeas, drained

Garnish and Base:

• Handful of chives, finely chopped
• 12 mini tortillas
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Black pepper
• Extra Parmesan cheese (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 430°F/220°C for crispy chickpeas. Toss chickpeas with olive oil, smoked paprika, and salt on parchment-lined baking tray. Roast for 15 minutes until golden and crunchy.
2. Sizzle bacon in hot skillet until crisp and brown, approximately 5 minutes. Transfer to paper towel to drain excess fat.
3. Whisk Caesar sauce ingredients – aioli, Parmesan, fish sauce, Dijon mustard, white miso, and black pepper – until smooth and creamy.
4. Combine shredded Romaine, roasted chickpeas, crumbled bacon, sliced scallions, and half the Caesar sauce. Gently toss salad mixture.
5. Create chicken topping by mixing ground chicken with lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, thyme, chives, and black pepper until thoroughly incorporated.
6. Spread uniform layer of seasoned chicken mixture across each tortilla, ensuring even coverage.
7. Heat oil in skillet over high temperature. Place tortillas chicken-side down, pressing firmly with spatula. Sear for 4 minutes, then flip and cook additional minute until crisp.
8. Garnish tacos with prepared Caesar salad, sprinkle extra Parmesan, scatter fresh chives, and drizzle remaining Caesar dressing. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Notes

• Enhance chickpea crispiness by patting them completely dry before roasting to achieve maximum crunch and prevent sogginess.
• Adjust bacon cooking time based on thickness; thinner cuts crisp faster, while thicker cuts require longer rendering to develop rich flavor.
• Customize Caesar sauce by adjusting ingredient ratios to create personal flavor profile, experimenting with extra umami elements like anchovy paste or Worcestershire sauce.
• Transform recipe into gluten-free version by using corn tortillas and ensuring all sauce ingredients are gluten-free certified.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 900mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 36g
• Cholesterol: 80mg