Homemade Buffalo Chicken Tacos with Customizable Toppings

One rainy evening, I found myself craving something spicy, comforting, and quick to make for the family. That’s how these Buffalo Chicken Tacos were born—a fun twist on a classic favorite. With tender chicken tossed in Frank’s buffalo sauce, soft tortillas, and customizable toppings like slaw or cream cheese, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. These buffalo chicken tacos are easy, flavorful, and a guaranteed hit with everyone.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Buffalo Chicken Tacos are the ultimate weeknight crowd-pleaser, combining spicy, tangy buffalo chicken with soft, warm tortillas and a variety of toppings that everyone can customize. Whether you prefer baked buffalo chicken tacos, fried buffalo chicken tacos, or air-fried versions, this recipe delivers bold flavor without complicated steps. Topped with slaw, cheese, or even cream cheese, these buffalo chicken tacos are quick, family-friendly, and perfect for busy nights or casual gatherings. Every bite offers the perfect balance of spice, creaminess, and crunch, making these buffalo chicken tacos a standout recipe for game days, dinners, or parties. Plus, the ingredients are easy to find, and the method is simple, letting you enjoy authentic Frank’s buffalo chicken tacos at home. With endless variations and customizable toppings, these buffalo chicken tacos are versatile, flavorful, and irresistibly delicious—making them a go-to recipe you’ll want to make again and again.

Ingredients for This Recipe

To make the perfect buffalo chicken tacos, it’s important to understand how each ingredient contributes to the flavor and texture. The star of the dish is the chicken, which can be shredded, baked, fried, or air-fried for crispy or tender bites. Tossing it in Frank’s RedHot buffalo sauce gives the tacos their signature spicy, tangy flavor. Tortillas act as a soft, warm vessel, while cheese and cream cheese add richness. Fresh slaw or cabbage adds crunch, and optional toppings like avocado, pickled jalapeños, or a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing elevate your buffalo chicken tacos into a restaurant-quality experience at home. Using simple, high-quality ingredients ensures your buffalo chicken tacos are flavorful, quick to assemble, and customizable for everyone at the table. Whether you want baked buffalo chicken tacos for a healthier option or fried buffalo chicken tacos for extra crunch, these ingredients create a versatile and delicious taco experience.

🛒 Ingredients (for 6 tacos):

For the Chicken:
1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cooked and shredded (or bite-sized strips if frying)
½ cup Frank’s RedHot buffalo sauce (or your favorite)
1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking/frying)
Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Tacos:
6 small flour or corn tortillas
½ cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
¼ cup cream cheese, optional
½ cup shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix
2 tablespoons chopped green onions or cilantro
Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for drizzling

Optional Extras:
Sliced avocado
Pickled jalapeños
Lime wedges

How to Make This Recipe

Making buffalo chicken tacos is quick, flavorful, and easy to customize. The key is perfectly cooking the chicken and coating it evenly in Frank’s buffalo sauce for that classic spicy, tangy flavor. Whether you choose baked buffalo chicken tacos, fried buffalo chicken tacos, or air-fried buffalo chicken tacos, the steps are simple and family-friendly. Soft tortillas provide the base, while slaw, cheese, and optional cream cheese add creaminess and crunch. Top with ranch, blue cheese, or fresh extras like avocado and lime for the ultimate buffalo chicken tacos experience. Following these steps ensures every taco is bursting with flavor, easy to prepare, and a guaranteed hit with family and friends. With minimal prep and a few key ingredients, buffalo chicken tacos are perfect for busy weeknights, casual gatherings, or game day snacks.

🛒 Steps:

Step 1: Cook the chicken
Choose shredded, baked, fried, or air-fried chicken. Season with salt and pepper, and cook until fully done.

Step 2: Toss in buffalo sauce
Place cooked chicken in a bowl and coat evenly with Frank’s buffalo sauce for that signature spicy flavor.

Step 3: Prep toppings
Shred cabbage or slaw, chop green onions or cilantro, and soften cream cheese if using.

Step 4: Warm tortillas
Heat flour or corn tortillas in a pan or microwave for soft, pliable taco shells.

Step 5: Assemble tacos
Spread cream cheese if desired, add buffalo chicken, top with shredded cheese, slaw, and optional extras. Drizzle with ranch or blue cheese dressing and finish with avocado, pickled jalapeños, or a squeeze of lime.

Step 6: Serve immediately
Enjoy hot, flavorful buffalo chicken tacos with bold, spicy, and creamy layers.

Expert Cooking Tips

Creating perfect buffalo chicken tacos every time is all about mastering the ingredients and understanding how each element contributes to the final flavor. Choosing the right chicken—whether shredded, baked, fried, or air-fried—is essential for texture. Frank’s buffalo sauce delivers the iconic spicy and tangy kick, while tortillas provide a soft base for layering. Fresh slaw or cabbage adds crunch, and cheese or cream cheese balances the heat. Optional toppings like avocado, pickled jalapeños, and ranch dressing elevate your buffalo chicken tacos into a restaurant-quality experience at home. Following these expert tips ensures your buffalo chicken tacos are flavorful, customizable, and ideal for family dinners, busy weeknights, or casual entertaining.

💡 Expert Tips:

Tip 1: Use high-quality chicken
For tender, juicy buffalo chicken tacos, bake, air-fry, or pan-fry chicken to your preferred texture.

Tip 2: Perfect buffalo sauce coating
Toss the cooked chicken evenly in Frank’s buffalo sauce to ensure every bite is flavorful.

Tip 3: Customize your toppings
Add slaw, shredded cheese, cream cheese, avocado, or pickled jalapeños to make buffalo chicken tacos your own.

Tip 4: Warm tortillas
Gently heat tortillas to keep them soft and flexible for easy assembly of buffalo chicken tacos.

Tip 5: Balance the spice
Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing to complement the tangy heat of the buffalo chicken tacos.

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Buffalo Chicken Tacos are a versatile, flavorful, and family-friendly meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights, casual gatherings, or game day snacks. Whether you prefer baked buffalo chicken tacos, fried buffalo chicken tacos, or air-fried buffalo chicken tacos, each version delivers tender, juicy chicken coated in Frank’s buffalo sauce and layered with cheese, slaw, and optional toppings. Customizable and quick to prepare, these buffalo chicken tacos are guaranteed to become a favorite recipe in your home, satisfying cravings for bold, spicy, and creamy flavors every time.

Buffalo Chicken Tacos

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• Author: Savannah
• Total Time: ~35 minutes
• Yield: 6 tacos 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

Print Recipe

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Description

Spicy, tangy, and packed with flavor, these Buffalo Chicken Tacos feature crispy or shredded chicken tossed in buffalo sauce and served in warm tortillas. Top them with creamy slaw, shredded cheese, or a dollop of cream cheese for the ultimate finger-licking taco experience. Perfect for weeknight dinners or game day snacks!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

🛒 Ingredients (for 6 tacos):

For the Chicken:

• 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cooked and shredded (or bite-sized strips if frying)

• ½ cup Frank’s RedHot buffalo sauce (or your favorite)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking/frying)

• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Tacos:

• 6 small flour or corn tortillas

• ½ cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese

• ¼ cup cream cheese, optional

• ½ cup shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix

• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions or cilantro

• Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for drizzling

Optional Extras:

• Sliced avocado

• Pickled jalapeños

• Lime wedges

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Instructions

📝 Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

• For shredded chicken: Poach or bake chicken until fully cooked, then shred with forks.

• For crispy chicken: Coat strips lightly with flour, season with salt and pepper, and pan-fry in olive oil until golden and cooked through.

Step 2: Toss in Buffalo Sauce

• Place cooked chicken in a bowl and mix with buffalo sauce until evenly coated.

Step 3: Prep Toppings

• Shred cabbage or slaw mix and chop green onions or cilantro.

• If using cream cheese, soften slightly for easier spreading.

Step 4: Assemble Tacos

• Warm tortillas in a pan or microwave.

• Spread cream cheese (optional) on each tortilla.

• Add buffalo chicken, shredded cheese, and slaw.

• Drizzle with ranch or blue cheese dressing and top with green onions/cilantro.

• Add optional extras like avocado, pickled jalapeños, or a squeeze of lime.

Notes

• Air Fryer Option: Cook chicken strips in the air fryer at 400°F for 10–12 minutes for a crispy, healthier alternative.
• Make Ahead: Cook and shred chicken a day ahead; assemble tacos just before serving.
• Spice Level: Adjust buffalo sauce to taste for milder or hotter tacos.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
• Category: Main / Dinner / Game Day Snack
• Method: Pan-fried, baked, or air-fried
• Cuisine: American / Tex-Mex