This buffalo chicken tacos recipe fills warm tortillas with saucy buffalo shredded chicken and a cool, crunchy ranch slaw for the perfect balance of heat and freshness. This easy buffalo chicken taco recipe takes about 20 minutes and has become a proven crowd-pleaser for taco night, game day, or anytime you want buffalo wing flavor in a new format.
Recipe at a Glance
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Category: Main dish
Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Chicken Tacos
- This buffalo chicken tacos recipe delivers all the flavor of buffalo wings without the mess of bones.
- The ranch slaw cools down the buffalo heat and adds satisfying crunch.
- Ready in about 20 minutes, especially fast with pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken.
- A genuinely great way to mix up taco night or feed a crowd on game day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 tbsp butter, melted
- 8 small taco tortillas
- 3 cups shredded cabbage
- 1/3 cup ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles, optional
- 2 tbsp sliced green onion
- Lime wedges, for serving
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Tacos
- Toss the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce and melted butter until well coated.
- In a bowl, toss the shredded cabbage with ranch dressing to make the slaw.
- Warm the tortillas.
- Fill each tortilla with buffalo chicken and ranch slaw.
- Top with blue cheese crumbles, green onion, and a squeeze of lime.
Tips for the Best Buffalo Chicken Tacos
- Use rotisserie chicken for this buffalo chicken tacos recipe to save time on a busy weeknight.
- Warm the buffalo sauce slightly before tossing with the chicken for even coating.
- Make the slaw just before serving so the cabbage stays crisp.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to control the heat level.
Variations to Try
- Swap ranch dressing for blue cheese dressing in the slaw for extra tang.
- Use lettuce wraps instead of tortillas for a lower-carb option.
- Add pickled jalapeños for extra heat.
How to Store It
Store the chicken and slaw separately in the fridge for up to 3 days, and assemble tacos fresh when ready to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make buffalo chicken tacos ahead of time?
Yes, prepare the buffalo chicken and ranch slaw separately ahead of time, then assemble the tacos fresh right before serving.
What chicken works best for this recipe?
Shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken breast both work great and save time on prep.
Can I make buffalo chicken tacos less spicy?
Yes, mix the buffalo sauce with a bit of extra butter or ranch dressing to mellow the heat while keeping the flavor.
What sides pair well with buffalo chicken tacos?
Corn on the cob, a simple green salad, or extra ranch and celery sticks on the side all pair well.