Add a spicy kick to taco night with these Easy Buffalo Chicken Tacos! Made with perfectly seasoned Buffalo Chicken, crisp lettuce, and creamy ranch dressing, these tacos are an easy 15-minute dinner your family will love!
Looking for more favorite Buffalo Chicken recipes? Don't miss my recipes for Boneless Buffalo Chicken Wings, Instant Pot Buffalo Wings, Buffalo Chicken Salad, and Buffalo Chicken Casserole.
Buffalo Chicken + Tacos = Winning Dinner
It seems to be a given that everyone loves tacos. From beef tacos to fish tacos to shrimp tacos to even cauliflower tacos, there is a taco for everyone!
And if you love buffalo chicken, let me introduce you to your new favorite taco recipe--Buffalo Chicken Tacos.
Made with tender shredded chicken, spicy buffalo sauce, and a creamy slaw, these Buffalo Chicken Tacos are hearty, flavorful, and satisfying. And because this is a recipe starting with leftover Rotisserie chicken, you can get these tacos on the table in about 15 minutes! Flavorful and fast--perfect for busy weeknight dinners. Now let's get dinner done!
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Tacos
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Prepare the Ranch Slaw Topping
This simple slaw is made by tossing shredded carrots and shredded lettuce (or cabbage) with ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing. It is fresh, creamy and finishes these buffalo tacos off with incredible texture and flavor. By preparing first, you give the flavors in the ranch slaw time to marry together.
Prepare Buffalo Sauce
While you can certainly skip this step and use store-bought buffalo sauce, the flavor of homemade buffalo sauce is not only better, but it is super super easy to make (and leaves preservatives on the shelf!)
Toss Chicken with Buffalo Sauce
After the buffalo sauce has been prepared, fold in the shredded chicken. Use any leftover cooked chicken you have on hand. Instant Pot Chicken Breasts, Instant Pot Rotisserie Chicken, Homemade Rotisserie Chicken, or Oven Roasted Chicken Breasts are all great options for this recipe.
Warm Tortillas
I recommend warming the tortillas, whether using corn, flour, or homemade tortillas, as it enhances the flavor of the tortilla and makes them more pliable.
Assemble and Serve
Fill your warmed tortillas with the shredded buffalo chicken, lettuce and carrot slaw, sharp cheddar cheese, and serve. So easy and so good!
∗ Instant Pot Option ∗
An alternative option for making Buffalo Chicken Tacos is to begin this recipe by preparing Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken. The chicken cooks right in the buffalo sauce, meaning all you have to do is assemble the tacos using the prepared chicken and top as directed.
More Delicious Taco-Inspired Recipes
- Breakfast Tacos
- Taco Pizza
- Taco Pasta
- Ground Turkey Taco Skillet
- Wonton Tacos
- Easy Lentil Tacos
- Shredded Chicken Tacos
Did you try these Buffalo Chicken Tacos? If so, please take the time to leave a comment and review below.
Buffalo Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
For Buffalo Chicken Tacos
- ¾ cup Buffalo Sauce
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- lettuce & carrot slaw
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese optional
- 12 corn or flour tortillas or taco shells
For Ranch Slaw
- ½ head iceberg lettuce shredded
- ¼ cup shredded or thinly sliced carrots
- ¼ cup ranch dressing or blue cheese plus more for serving if desired
Homemade Buffalo Sauce
- ½ cup hot sauce such as Frank's Red Hot
- ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter optional
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce or a pinch of salt
- ½ tablespoon honey optional
Instructions
- For the Slaw: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ½ cup shredded lettuce, ¼ cup shredded carrots, and ¼ cup ranch or bleu cheese dressing. Toss together until everything is well combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to assemble tacos.
- For Homemade Buffalo Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the ½ cup hot sauce, ½ tablespoon vinegar, 2 tablespoons butter, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce together. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Once simmering and the butter has melted, turn off the heat and stir in ½ tablespoon honey. Alternatively, warm ¾ cup of store-bought buffalo sauce in a skillet over low heat.
- To Make Buffalo Chicken: Toss 3 cups of shredded cooked chicken with the warmed buffalo sauce, tossing together to evenly coat in the sauce.
- Heat Tortillas: Heat tortillas of your choice in a dry skillet, one at a time, until warmed through and pliable.
- Assemble and Serve: Using tongs, or a slotted spoon, fill the taco shells with the buffalo chicken mixture. Top with the lettuce and carrot mixture and shredded cheese. Feel free to top the tacos with additional dressing, minced chives, or crumbled blue cheese. Serve.
Meredith
These look delish! Am I missing the amount of vinegar needed for the buffalo sauce? I don’t see it listed in the ingredients list, just in the preparation directions.
Thanks. Hoping to make these tonight with leftover chicken!
Kristen Chidsey
Sorry about that, Meredith! It is 1/2 tablespoon of vinegar.
Olivia
These tacos were a big hit in my house! My family couldn't get enough of them, thank you for the recipe! We'll definitely be having these again soon.
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing that! Thank you for taking the time to share, Oliva!
Katie
I love trying new flavors of tacos and these were such a great idea! I love buffalo + ranch especially.
Sharina
We had a wonderful and satisfying taco night because of these buffalo chicken tacos! They are packed with flavors and the dressing is a winner!
Kristen Chidsey
Wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing!
Taylor
Can I sub the 3 cups of chicken for a pound of ground chicken?
Kristen Chidsey
Absolutely Taylor! I would brown the chicken, breaking it into small-bite-sized pieces, and then season as directed.
Abby
This is really good! One way I kicked up the brightness on the flavor was instead of using lettuce I chopped up Clery leave and the inner softest most tender top of the celery stalks and I shaved carrots with my peeler and put those on it. So good!
Kristen Chidsey
Oh I love that idea of a topping! I am so glad you enjoyed the tacos Abby!
Julie Evink
These were delicious! Loved the kick and so did my kids. Can't wait to add them to our weekly menu plan!
Kristen Chidsey
YAY!!! They are a family favorite here too!
Krissy Allori
I've never tried buffalo chicken in tacos before but this was amazing.
Kristen Chidsey
So glad you enjoyed these!
Cindy
I never thought to add slaw to buffalo anything. What a great idea!
Kristen Chidsey
It really adds the perfect counter balance to the spice. Hope you give it a try Cindy!
Liz
I know I'd love tacos with buffalo chicken! And topping with ranch slaw sounds wonderful!
Kristen Chidsey
The ranch slaw is key!
Nikki
My family will love these! Two of our favorites tacos and anything buffalo! Great recipe!
Kristen Chidsey
<3 Thanks friend!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks! You will love this recipe for sure!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Valerie! Food waste upsets me so much!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Coleen! I hope you enjoy these!