Buffalo Chicken Tacos: A Spicy, Flavor-Packed Twist on Taco Night

Buffalo Chicken Tacos bring together the fiery, tangy flavors of classic Buffalo chicken with the casual, handheld convenience of tacos. This fusion dish is perfect for those who crave bold spice and rich flavor but also want something quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing. Whether you’re hosting a game day party, looking for a weeknight dinner idea, or simply love the combination of Buffalo sauce and tender chicken, these tacos deliver every time.

At the heart of this recipe is juicy, shredded chicken tossed in homemade or store-bought Buffalo sauce—a blend of hot sauce, butter, and spices that delivers that signature tangy heat. Wrapped in soft tortillas and topped with cool, crisp accompaniments like crunchy celery, creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing, and fresh cilantro, these tacos are a perfect balance of spicy, creamy, and fresh.

This guide will take you through the entire process: from cooking and shredding the chicken, preparing the Buffalo sauce, assembling the tacos, to offering tips for customizing the toppings and sides. Whether you like your heat mild or extra spicy, you’ll find options here to tailor the recipe to your taste.

Buffalo Chicken Tacos are a fresh take on two beloved favorites, combining the best of both worlds into a dish that’s fun, flavorful, and easy to enjoy anytime. Prepare to spice up your taco nights with a recipe that’s guaranteed to be a new family favorite.

Detailed Instructions for Buffalo Chicken Tacos

Step 1: Gather and Prepare Your Ingredients

Before starting, gather all your ingredients. This makes the cooking process smoother and ensures you don’t forget anything.

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work well. Thighs are juicier, but breasts are leaner.

• Buffalo sauce: You can use store-bought or make your own with hot sauce, butter, and spices.

• Taco shells or tortillas: Soft flour or corn tortillas are traditional, but crispy taco shells also work.

• Toppings: Celery, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced red onion, shredded cheese, ranch or blue cheese dressing, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges.

• Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and optionally smoked paprika or cayenne for extra heat.

Once you have everything ready, you can start cooking the chicken.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

You have several options for cooking the chicken:

• Stovetop: Heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook the chicken for about 6-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and no longer pink inside. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C).

• Slow Cooker: Place the chicken in the slow cooker with a splash of chicken broth or water. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until tender.

• Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker: Add chicken and 1 cup of chicken broth to the pot. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes with natural release.

Step 3: Shred the Chicken

Once the chicken is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes.

Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. If using a slow cooker, you can shred directly in the pot.

Step 4: Prepare the Buffalo Sauce

If making homemade Buffalo sauce, melt ¼ cup unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

Stir in ½ cup hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot), 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon onion powder.

Simmer for 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat.

If you prefer, use store-bought Buffalo wing sauce to save time.

Step 5: Toss the Chicken in Buffalo Sauce

Place the shredded chicken in a large bowl.

Pour the Buffalo sauce over the chicken and toss until every piece is well coated.

If you want less heat, add a little more butter or mix in some ranch dressing to mellow the sauce.

Step 6: Warm the Tortillas or Taco Shells

Warm your tortillas or taco shells to make them soft and pliable.

• For tortillas: Wrap them in foil and heat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10 minutes, or microwave in a damp paper towel for 30 seconds.

• For taco shells: Heat according to package instructions until crispy and warm.

Step 7: Assemble the Tacos

Place a generous amount of Buffalo chicken on each tortilla or in each taco shell.

Top with shredded lettuce or cabbage for crunch.

Add diced tomatoes, sliced celery for that classic Buffalo flavor crunch, and thinly sliced red onion if desired.

Drizzle with ranch or blue cheese dressing for creaminess that balances the spice.

Sprinkle shredded cheese on top for extra indulgence.

Finish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice for brightness.

Step 8: Serve Immediately

Buffalo Chicken Tacos are best enjoyed fresh while the chicken is warm and the tortillas are soft.

Serve with extra ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side, and some celery sticks for that traditional Buffalo wing vibe.

Variations for Buffalo Chicken Tacos

1. Spice Level Adjustments

• Milder Version: Use less hot sauce or substitute with a milder wing sauce. You can also mix the Buffalo sauce with some ranch dressing before tossing the chicken to mellow the heat.

• Extra Spicy: Add cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, or use a hotter hot sauce variety. For an extra kick, toss in some chopped jalapeños or a dash of smoked chipotle powder.

2. Protein Alternatives

• Pulled Pork or Beef: Substitute chicken with slow-cooked pulled pork or shredded beef, tossed in Buffalo sauce for a different but equally delicious flavor.

• Vegetarian Option: Use shredded jackfruit, roasted cauliflower, or crispy tofu as a plant-based substitute. Toss them in Buffalo sauce just like the chicken.

• Seafood Twist: Try using shrimp or grilled fish with Buffalo sauce for a lighter, seafood-inspired taco.

3. Tortilla and Shell Options

• Lettuce Wraps: For a low-carb option, serve the Buffalo chicken in large iceberg or romaine lettuce leaves instead of tortillas.

• Flavored Tortillas: Use spinach, tomato, or whole wheat tortillas to add color and nutrition.

• Crispy Taco Shells: For crunch lovers, crispy corn taco shells provide a satisfying texture contrast to the spicy, creamy filling.

4. Toppings Variations

• Pickled Vegetables: Add pickled jalapeños, onions, or cucumbers to introduce a tangy contrast to the spicy Buffalo sauce.

• Fresh Herbs: Cilantro is classic, but fresh parsley or chives also add a nice touch.

• Avocado or Guacamole: Creamy avocado or guacamole complements the heat and adds richness.

• Cheese Options: Try blue cheese crumbles, shredded cheddar, pepper jack, or even a dollop of sour cream for different flavor profiles.

Suggested Side Dishes for Buffalo Chicken Tacos

1. Classic Celery and Carrot Sticks

• No Buffalo meal is complete without crisp celery and carrot sticks served alongside ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.

2. Mexican Street Corn (Elote)

• Grilled corn on the cob slathered with mayonnaise, chili powder, lime juice, and cotija cheese pairs beautifully with the spicy tacos.

3. Black Bean and Corn Salad

• A fresh, zesty salad with black beans, corn, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice offers a cooling balance to the heat of the Buffalo chicken.

4. Loaded Nachos

• Tortilla chips topped with melted cheese, jalapeños, sour cream, and guacamole are always a crowd-pleaser alongside Buffalo chicken tacos.

5. Rice and Beans

• A simple side of seasoned Mexican rice and refried or black beans rounds out the meal and makes it more filling.