If you love bold flavor, crispy textures, and easy weeknight meals that feel like a treat, these Buffalo Chicken Smash Tacos with Zesty Ranch Slaw are about to be your new obsession.

They’re high‑protein, oven‑baked, and packed with that tangy buffalo heat everyone craves — all balanced with a cool, creamy homemade ranch slaw that takes just minutes to mix together.

These tacos deliver everything: crunch, spice, freshness, and serious weeknight convenience.

Whether you’re feeding the family, meal‑prepping for the week, or filming a crave‑worthy recipe for social, this one hits every mark.

I love that you have full control over the level of heat here, too!

From the heat level of your buffalo sauce, to the jalapeno kick on top!

Why You’ll Love These Buffalo Chicken Smash Tacos with Zesty Ranch Slaw

• High‑protein and satisfying. Ground chicken, Greek yogurt, and cheese make this a macro‑friendly meal that keeps you full.
• Big buffalo flavor. Spicy, tangy, cheesy — everything you want in a buffalo‑inspired recipe.
• Crispy, oven‑baked convenience. No frying, no mess. Just smash, bake, and enjoy.
• Fresh, creamy slaw. The homemade ranch slaw adds crunch and coolness that balances the heat perfectly.
• Family‑friendly and customizable. Adjust the spice, swap tortillas, or add toppings to fit your crew.
• Perfect for content. The smash‑taco technique, vibrant slaw, and melty edges make this a guaranteed scroll‑stopper.

Ingredients

6 large tortillas or 12 small tortillas – I used Organic sourdough tortillas from organic bread of heaven
1 lb ground chicken
3/4 cup shredded cheese
1/2 cup buffalo sauce
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 cups coleslaw mix or shredded cabbage (purple & green) and shredded carrots
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup avocado oil based mayo
Juice of half a lemon
1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp organic ranch seasoning – primal palate (or fresh herbs, about a handful of each roughly chopped – dill, basil, parsley, chives, garlic) – you can save off everything in the FoodSocial market with code colleenF
For serving
Lime wedges
Finely chopped parsley

Process

Mix ground chicken, cheese, spices, and buffalo
Press your mixture down flat over top you tortillas
Bake to 30 min, and optionally , broil the last 2 minutes for crispy tacos
While tacos are baking combing yogurt, mayo, lemon, and ACV together
Mix in your ranch seasoning, then add coleslaw / shredded veggies and coat them with the ranch mixture
Assemble your tacos with a large serving of the slaw, fresh parsley, a squeeze of fresh lime, and jalapeño sauce for an optional kick
Enjoy!

I love how easy these come together, and how much texture you get in each and every bite!

FAQ

Can I use a different protein?

Yes — ground turkey works perfectly, and ground beef or plant‑based crumbles also hold up well with the smash‑taco method.

What tortillas work best?

Sourdough, flour, or cassava tortillas all crisp beautifully. Smaller tortillas make great handheld tacos, while larger ones give you more room for toppings.

How spicy are these tacos?

They have a medium kick from the buffalo sauce. For less heat, use mild buffalo or reduce the amount. For more heat, add jalapeños or a drizzle of hot sauce.

Can I make them ahead of time?

You can prep the chicken mixture and the slaw up to a day in advance. Bake the tacos fresh for the best crispiness.

How do I store leftovers?

Store the baked tacos and slaw separately. Reheat tacos in the oven or air fryer to bring back the crisp.

Can I air fry these instead of baking?

Yes — air fry at 375°F for 10–12 minutes, checking for crisp edges.

Is the ranch slaw customizable?

Absolutely. Swap herbs, add shredded Brussels sprouts, or mix in thinly sliced celery for extra crunch.

Buffalo Chicken Smash Tacos with Zesty Ranch Slaw

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Servings:

Ingredients

6 large tortillas or 12 small tortillas – I used organic sourdough
1 lb ground chicken
3/4 cup shredded cheese
1/2 cup buffalo sauce
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Slaw

2 cups coleslaw mix or shredded cabbage purple & green and shredded carrots
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup avocado oil based mayo
Juice of half a lemon
1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp organic ranch seasoning – primal palate use code colleenF to save. or fresh herbs, about a handful of each roughly chopped – dill, basil, parsley, chives, garlic

For serving

Lime wedges
Finely chopped parsley

Instructions

Mix ground chicken, cheese, spices, and buffalo
Press your mixture down flat over top you tortillas
Bake to 30 min, and optionally , broil the last 2 minutes for crispy tacos
While tacos are baking combing yogurt, mayo, lemon, and ACV together
Mix in your ranch seasoning, then add coleslaw / shredded veggies and coat them with the ranch mixture
Assemble your tacos with a large serving of the slaw, fresh parsley, a squeeze of fresh lime, and jalapeño sauce for an optional kick
Enjoy!