Description
These Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos combine seasoned ground chicken cooked to a golden Parmesan crust on soft flour tortillas, topped with a crisp Caesar salad for a deliciously fresh twist on tacos. Ready in just 30 minutes, this flavorful recipe offers an easy, satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Tacos:
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (salt-free)
- ¾ teaspoon salt, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 8 small flour tortillas (street taco-size)
- Avocado oil (or other high smoke point oil) as needed
For the Caesar Salad Topping:
- 5 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- ¼ cup Caesar dressing
- ¼ cup crushed croutons
Instructions
- Make the filling: Divide ground chicken into 8 equal portions, rolling each into loose balls. Place one portion on each tortilla and press evenly out to the edges.
- Make the seasoning: Mix ½ cup Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of the mixture evenly over the chicken on each tortilla, pressing gently to adhere.
- Heat the skillet: Warm a large cast-iron or stainless steel skillet with a light coating of avocado oil over medium heat.
- Cook the tacos: Place 2-3 tortillas chicken-side down in the skillet. Press firmly with a spatula and cook 2-3 minutes until chicken is cooked through and Parmesan forms a golden crust. Flip and cook 20-30 seconds more until tortillas lightly brown. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining tortillas.
- Make the salad: Combine romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, remaining ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, and crushed croutons in a large bowl. Toss to coat evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Top each taco with the Caesar salad mixture and serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use a skillet with good heat retention like cast iron for the best crust on the chicken.
- You can substitute Greek yogurt for Caesar dressing for a lighter version.
- For gluten-free, substitute flour tortillas with corn or gluten-free tortillas.
- Ensure Italian seasoning is salt-free to control sodium levels carefully.
- Pressing the chicken firmly into the tortillas helps create a thin, even crust when cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
