Initially, I wasn’t a fan of anything Buffalo chicken related, whether it was wings, dip, or burgers, until I met my husband. His family never hosts a gathering without someone bringing Buffalo wings. If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.
My appreciation for Buffalo chicken grew when I realized it complements blue cheese, which I love for its bold and often polarizing flavor. It’s a great excuse for me to indulge at my in-laws.
These Buffalo chicken tacos are one of my favorite ways to incorporate the classic wing flavors into a quick weeknight dinner. They take less than 20 minutes to prepare thanks to handy shortcuts like rotisserie chicken and bagged coleslaw mix. Plus, you don’t have to turn on the oven or stove, making it an easy, family-friendly meal that will likely become a regular.
A Few Clever Shortcuts for Easy Weeknight Cooking
This recipe thrives on conveniences. It’s my go-to when I want something comforting and familiar but am feeling a bit lazy, which is often the case.
At the heart of this quick dinner are a rotisserie chicken and a bag of coleslaw mix. Just shred the chicken and toss it in a homemade Buffalo sauce made from melted butter (yay, microwave!), your favorite hot sauce, and garlic powder.
Mix the coleslaw with lime juice, olive oil, and a little Greek yogurt or sour cream, depending on what’s available. It acts as a creamy, crunchy layer between the Buffalo chicken and soft flour tortillas. Finish by topping each taco with crumbled blue cheese and sliced scallions.
Using Leftover Chicken and Cabbage
Got leftover chicken or half a head of cabbage in your fridge? You’ve got shortcuts at hand! Use 4 packed cups each of shredded chicken and cabbage for this recipe.
Variations and Substitutions
Everyone has their version of Buffalo chicken, which means these tacos can be customized to suit your family’s preferences.
- If blue cheese isn’t your style, skip the crumbles and drizzle ranch dressing on the tacos instead.
- Franks RedHot is a classic for Buffalo chicken flavor, but I prefer the tanginess and heat of Cholula. Choose according to your taste.
- Flour tortillas are the best for these tacos due to their soft texture, but you can use corn tortillas if you’re avoiding gluten.
Side Dish Ideas
These flavorful Buffalo chicken tacos are quite satisfying on their own, but if you’re looking to add a side dish, here are some of my favorites:
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup hot sauce, such as Franks RedHot or Cholula
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 small or 1/2 large rotisserie chicken, shredded (about 4 packed cups)
- 3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 packed cups coleslaw mix
- 12 flour tortillas
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
Instructions
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Make the Buffalo chicken:
Microwave the butter until melted. Add hot sauce and garlic powder, whisk together, then toss with shredded chicken.
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Make the coleslaw:
Combine Greek yogurt or sour cream, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add coleslaw mix and toss to coat.
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Warm the tortillas:
Cover tortillas with a damp paper towel and microwave. Keep warm until ready to use.
-
Assemble the tacos:
Place coleslaw on tortillas, top with Buffalo chicken, scallions, and blue cheese.
Nutrition Facts
| Calories | 753 |
| Fat | 48g |
| Carbs | 46g |
| Protein | 34g |
