Buffalo Chicken Tacos

This crowd-pleasing Buffalo chicken tacos recipe adds a tangy twist to taco night. Instead of dousing wings with Buffalo sauce, you’ll simmer shredded chicken in a Buffalo sauce and ranch dressing mix. Throw that saucy and seasoned chicken into some pillowy flour tortillas, then top the tacos with crisp lettuce, cheese, green onion and a bit more dressing for a fun Buffalo chicken recipe for game day.

Because this recipe for Buffalo chicken tacos offers maximum flavor with minimum effort using shortcut ingredients like jarred sauce and leftover chicken, it’s also perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients for Buffalo Chicken Tacos

• Cooked shredded chicken breasts: These tacos make an excellent leftover chicken recipe. Whether your chicken breasts are whole or in pieces, just shred them with a fork before preparing. You can also use rotisserie chicken.
• Ranch salad dressing mix: This spice packet is convenient and tastes great as a seasoning supplement in recipes. You can pick up the familiar packet at the store or make ranch dressing mix from scratch if you prefer homemade.
• Buffalo wing sauce: While many of our chicken wing recipes call for homemade Buffalo wing sauce, this one uses a bottled version.
• Flour tortillas: Flour tortillas are soft, flexible and sturdy enough to hold up to lots of fillings. You can also use corn tortillas, if you prefer. Pro tip: Make homemade tortillas!
• Lettuce: A classic topper for all kinds of taco recipes, shredded lettuce adds freshness and crunch.
• Cheddar cheese: You can use any kind of cheddar you like, from mild to sharp. Grating it yourself instead of using the bagged stuff is always better.
• Green onions: Bright, zippy green onions add a fresh bite to the Buffalo chicken tacos recipe.
• Avocado: Sliced avocados add creamy, smooth richness. If your avocado is hard, here’s how to ripen avocados quickly.
• Ranch or blue cheese salad dressing: Cool the Buffalo sauce spice with a dollop of creamy dressing. The rich dairy brightens up the tacos.

Directions

Step 1: Season the chicken

In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the shredded chicken, ranch dressing and Buffalo sauce. Bring the mixture to a low simmer and cook it until slightly thickened and hot, 12 to 15 minutes.

Editor’s Tip: Prep your toppings while the chicken cooks in the sauce. Shred the cheese and lettuce, and slice the green onion and avocado.

Step 2: Fill the tortillas

Stuff the chicken mixture into the tortillas.

Editor’s Tip: Warm the tortillas in the microwave or in a low oven before filling them for an extra-tasty taco.

Step 3: Top and serve

Top each taco with shredded lettuce, cheddar cheese, green onion and avocado, then drizzle with dressing. Serve immediately.

Editor’s Tip: If everyone in the family likes different toppings, place everything in bowls on the table or countertop, taco board-style.

ELLIE CROWLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME

Buffalo Chicken Taco Variations

• Use chicken thighs: For extra flavor, swap in chicken thighs for the chicken breasts.
• Make them gluten-free: This is an easy gluten-free dinner recipe—just replace the flour tortillas with corn tortillas or make taco bowls with rice.
• Go crunchy: Substitute crunchy hard shells for the soft flour tortillas.

How to Store Buffalo Chicken Tacos

Buffalo chicken tacos keep very well, but only if you store each element separately. Filled tortillas will get very soggy. Keep the chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Stash each topping in a separate container or airtight baggie in the fridge. Pop a paper towel in with the shredded lettuce to absorb excess water and keep it crisp. Wrap the tortillas in foil and keep them at room temperature or in the fridge.

How long do the components for Buffalo chicken tacos last?

Leftover Buffalo chicken will keep for up to three days in the refrigerator, while shredded cheese should keep for at least a week (longer if it’s commercially packaged), lettuce for up to three days and sliced avocado for a day (here’s how to keep avocados from turning brown). At room temperature, flour tortillas will keep for a week; they’ll last up to three weeks if you put them in the fridge.

How do you reheat the filling for Buffalo chicken tacos?

Reheat the Buffalo chicken and sauce in the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop until warm. You can also warm the flour tortillas in the microwave. The rest of the toppings should be good to go from the fridge.

Can you freeze Buffalo chicken taco filling?

Yes, you can freeze Buffalo chicken filling. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag and store it for up to three months. Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Buffalo Chicken Taco Tips

ELLIE CROWLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME

What salsas and toppings can you serve with Buffalo chicken tacos?

Almost any taco topping would taste good here. Think fresh cilantro, minced red onion, sauteed corn, black beans, pickled red onions, fresh sliced cabbage or sour cream. Chunky homemade guacamole is a welcome addition. If you want salsa, consider a fresh, sweet-leaning type, such as corn salsa, watermelon salsa or mango salsa.

What side dishes can you serve with a recipe for Buffalo chicken tacos?

If you’re rushing dinner to the table, just make a speedy vegetable side dish, like cabbage slaw, a quick green salad (ideally with ranch dressing!) or sauteed corn (frozen is totally fine). For a more elaborate spread, try any classic Mexican-style side dish. Think street corn, Instant Pot black beans or cilantro-lime rice.