Smash Chicken Tacos

If you’ve heard of smash burgers let me introduce you to the smash taco! These smash chicken tacos are generously seasoned with taco spices and kept super tender with the addition of fresh lime juice. Add any of your favorite taco toppings and you’ve got a delicious dinner ready in less than 15 minutes!

HOW TO KEEP GROUND CHICKEN TENDER

I cook with ground chicken often, so I know it’s a meat that can get a little dry if not prepared properly. Normally in my ground chicken meatball recipes I add a little water to keep the meat tender, but for these smash tacos I really wanted to add both moisture extra flavor too!

By adding 3 teaspoons of fresh squeezed lime juice these taco patties stay super soft and are anything but bland. The patties should be slightly wet when you’re mixing the ground chicken with the spices and that’s exactly what we want here! That’s how you know your final cooked tacos won’t be sad and dry but mouth-wateringly delicious!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE SMASH CHICKEN TACOS

No joke, I ate these several days in a row for both lunch and dinner and still wanted more…that’s how good these are! It’s one of those dishes I just can’t get bored of…and I think you’re going to love these too!

First, these are a quick dinner. Like 15 minutes quick. Unless you’re adding a ton of extra toppings, there’s no chopping required! Just mix the ground chicken with the spices and lime juice, and the total cook time in the pan is about 7 minutes. These are perfect for fast dinners or even quick lunches!

Next, these are an inexpensive recipe. I can usually get a pound of ground chicken for under $8 and this recipe only needs half a pound so save the rest for a recipe later in the week. The spices and taco packet I always have in my pantry, limes are pretty cheap, and then last you can go as elaborate or reserved as you want with the toppings.

Last, these are SO satisfying. It’s almost like getting a food truck vibe from your kitchen. The slightly crispy tortilla, the kick from the taco spices, then the cool and creamy Mexican cheeses all make this a “Wow!” taste.

You can mix up your own taco spice blend if you want, but I wanted to keep this extra easy and use the taco packet. You’ll need about 2 and 1/2 tablespoons from the packet plus I like to kick up the flavor and add a bit more of garlic powder, chili powder, and cumin. Want to make is spicy? Add come cayenne pepper and really turn up the heat!

Choose any cheeses you’d like but let me recommend queso fresco and Cotija. I love using the Mexican cheeses for both superior flavor and texture. The queso fresco adds a welcomed cooling effect to the taco spices and the Cotija adds an little salty finish.

Depending on where you live, you might not find these cheeses at your local grocery store. I usually have luck finding them at Whole Foods! Here is what the queso fresco and Cotija look like so you know what to find. This is my other favorite brand of Mexican cheeses but I don’t always have luck locating these.

For more ground chicken recipes you might love some of these!
Chicken teriyaki burgers
Chicken parm meatballs
Chicken piccata meatballs

And a few more of my taco-inspired favorites.
Baked chicken tacos
Walking taco casseroles
Hot taco dip

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