This is one of those recipes that may seem a little strange and unconventional, but it’s absolutely delicious! It’s full of protein, healthy fats, and veggies, and packed with flavor. My kids wolfed these down, they’re that good.
You’ve more than likely heard of Caesar salad before. I have a recipe on the site plus several variations of Caesar salad dressing. These tacos combine those flavors for a crunchy, mouthwatering version. They’re best served fresh, but you can mix the ingredients up beforehand to meal prep.
Smash Chicken Caesar Tacos
The traditional Caesar salad features a creamy dressing made from anchovies, garlic, mustard, and more. Plus crunchy romaine lettuce leaves and large croutons. It’s certainly evolved over the years, but the flavors and ingredients have largely remained the same. And while I still love a good Caesar salad, these smash chicken Caesar tacos are a nice spin on the classic.
Like most tacos, these use a tortilla shell for the base. You can use whatever you prefer, but I used organic flour tortillas. Almond flour, cassava flour, or other tortillas would work too. Just pick something that’s not too big so they’re easier to flip.
Here’s the twist: we’re smashing a seasoned chicken mixture onto the tortilla and cooking it until golden and crispy. This packs in some serious protein and adds a yummy flavor. The chicken is seasoned with a blend of Italian seasoning, lemon pepper, garlic, and onion.
Caesar Dressing
What really makes a good Caesar salad though is the dressing. I have a quick version here and a more traditional Caesar dressing here. This recipe uses a blend of mayo and yogurt to get a tangy, creamy dressing. The worcestershire sauce and anchovy paste adds some earthy flavors. Lemon adds brightness and tang, while herbs and Parmesan add another layer of flavor and creaminess.
I’ll often use homemade mayo since it’s healthy and easy to make. Many times though I’ll reach for avocado oil mayonaisse from Primal Kitchen. Making your own mayo and sauces is simple, but sometimes with 7 kids grabbing a pre-made jar is just easier. Thankfully there are some pretty good store-bought mayo options now. Thrive Market is another way I do an easy stock up on healthy pantry essentials.
Making Ahead
Once the tacos are cooked and assembled they really taste best fresh. You can mix up the chicken mixture and dressing beforehand though for easier meal prep. I doubled the recipe so we had enough for 2 meals. The dressing really tastes better after its been in the refrigerator for awhile to allow the flavors to better combine.
These smash chicken Caesar tacos are fresh, crunchy, and offer a balanced meal I can get behind. Here’s how to make them.
Smash Chicken Caesar Tacos
Crunchy, protein-packed tacos with all of the flavors of a classic Caesar salad. Full of veggies, healthy fats, and absolutely delicious!
For the Taco Assembly
- 7 small tortillas (cassava flour, almond flour, sourdough, or traditional flour tortillas)
- 1 TBSP butter (or ghee, or avocado oil)
- 1 head romaine lettuce (finely shredded)
- extra Parmesan cheese for serving
- fresh parsley (chopped)
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, mustard, anchovy paste, parsley, and black pepper until smooth.
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Stir in the Parmesan cheese and refrigerate while preparing the tacos. The flavors deepen as the dressing chills.
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Combine the ground chicken, Italian seasoning, lemon pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Mix gently until just combined.
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Avoid overmixing to keep the chicken tender.
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Spread about ¼ cup of the chicken mixture onto each tortilla, pressing it into an even layer that reaches the edges. If the chicken sticks to your hands, lightly oil your fingers or use parchment paper to press it into place.
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Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the butter, ghee, or avocado oil.
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Place the tacos chicken-side down in the pan and cook for 2–3 minutes until the chicken develops a golden crust. Flip the tacos and reduce the heat slightly. Continue cooking another 2–3 minutes until the tortilla becomes lightly crisp and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining tacos.
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Toss the shredded romaine with enough Caesar dressing to lightly coat.
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Top each taco with the dressed romaine, extra Parmesan, fresh parsley, and a drizzle of additional dressing.
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Serve immediately while the chicken is crispy and the lettuce is cold and crunchy.
Nutrition Facts
Smash Chicken Caesar Tacos
Amount Per Serving (1 taco)
Calories 475
Calories from Fat 324
% Daily Value*
Fat 36g55%
Saturated Fat 9g56%
Trans Fat 0.2g
Polyunsaturated Fat 16g
Monounsaturated Fat 9g
Cholesterol 80mg27%
Sodium 914mg40%
Potassium 665mg19%
Carbohydrates 20g7%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 19g38%
Vitamin A 7935IU159%
Vitamin C 5mg6%
Calcium 190mg19%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Try adding some bacon to the dressing for even more flavor!
What are some of your favorite taco fillings? Leave a comment and let us know!