Let’s be honest, some of the best food ideas are born from a craving that just won’t quit. You want the zing of Buffalo wings, but you also want the easy, no-fuss joy of a taco.
This recipe is the beautiful, messy, and utterly delicious answer to that very specific problem. It’s a weeknight hero that feels like a party, all wrapped up in a warm tortilla.
Why This Combo Just Works
It’s a match made in flavor heaven, really. The spicy, tangy kick of the Buffalo chicken gets tamed by the cool, creamy crunch of the slaw.
And that sharp blue cheese? It’s the final, glorious note that ties everything together in a way that just makes you nod and say, “Yeah, that’s it.”
Ingredients Needed for the Recipe
Gathering everything is the first step to taco bliss. Here’s what you’ll need to make about a dozen of these beauties.
- 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup hot sauce, such as Franks RedHot or Cholula
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 small or 1/2 large plain rotisserie chicken (about 1 3/4 pounds), shredded (about 4 packed cups)
- 3 tablespoons whole milk plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (about 1 medium lime)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 packed cups (10 ounces) coleslaw mix
- 12 (6-inch) flour tortillas
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled (about 1 cup)
Choosing Your Chicken Shortcut
Using a rotisserie chicken is the ultimate time-saver here, a little secret for getting dinner on the table in a flash. Just shred the meat, discarding the skin and bones, and you’re halfway there.
If you have a little more time, though, you can absolutely poach or bake your own chicken breasts or thighs. It’s all about what works for you, on this particular day.
How to make Buffalo Chicken Tacos?
The process is wonderfully straightforward, broken down into just a few key steps. Before you know it, you’ll be assembling your masterpiece.
Make the Buffalo chicken
Start by getting that signature sauce ready. You can melt the butter in a large microwave-safe bowl with a few short bursts, just until it’s liquid.
Whisk in the hot sauce and garlic powder until it’s a smooth, orange-hued dream. Then, just toss in all that lovely shredded chicken until every piece is thoroughly coated.
Make the coleslaw
This isn’t your heavy, mayo-laden slaw. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt (or sour cream), lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
It’ll be a light, tangy dressing. Dump in the coleslaw mix and toss it all together until the cabbage is evenly dressed and glistening.
Warm the tortillas
Don’t skip this step—a warm, pliable tortilla makes all the difference. Stack them on a plate, cover them with a damp paper towel, and give them a quick zap in the microwave.
Keeping them wrapped in a clean kitchen towel afterwards ensures they stay soft and warm, ready for their big moment.
Assemble the tacos
Here’s where the magic happens. Grab a warm tortilla and start with a bed of that crisp, cool coleslaw.
Pile on a generous amount of the saucy Buffalo chicken, and then finish it all off with a sprinkle of sliced green onions and those fantastic blue cheese crumbles. Dive in.
Crafting the Perfect Bite
Balance is the name of the game here. You want a bit of everything in each mouthful—the heat, the cool, the crunch, the creaminess.
Don’t be shy about piling on the slaw; it’s not just a garnish, it’s a crucial element that cuts through the richness of the sauce and cheese beautifully.
Tips
For an extra kick, add a teaspoon of your favorite spice blend, like chili powder or a smoky paprika, right into the Buffalo sauce. It’s a simple way to make it your own.
If you’re feeding a crowd, you can keep the components warm. The chicken can hang out in a slow cooker on the “warm” setting, and the tortillas can stay wrapped in foil.
Resist the urge to mix the slaw and the chicken ahead of time. The slaw will wilt, and you’ll lose that wonderful textural contrast that makes these tacos so special.
Navigating the Heat Level
Worried about the spice? The beauty of making it yourself is you have total control. Start with a milder hot sauce if you’re sensitive, you can always add more later.
And remember, the creamy slaw and the cooling blue cheese are your best friends here, they’re perfectly designed to soothe a fiery palate.
Beyond the Basic Taco Bar
This recipe is wonderfully adaptable for different diets and preferences. For a lighter version, use corn tortillas and swap the Greek yogurt for a light sour cream.
Not a blue cheese person? No problem. Crumbled feta or even a sharp cheddar can step in and do a fantastic job. It’s your taco, after all.
Buffalo Chicken Tacos Recipe
Description
These Buffalo Chicken Tacos bring bold flavor and creamy crunch together in under 20 minutes! Tender shredded chicken tossed in zesty buffalo sauce, topped with a bright Greek yogurt coleslaw, crumbled blue cheese, and fresh green onions—all wrapped in warm flour tortillas. Perfect for weeknight dinners or game-day feasting!
Ingredients
Buffalo Chicken
Coleslaw
For Assembly
Instructions
-
Make the Buffalo Chicken
Microwave the butter in a large microwave-safe bowl in 4 to 6 (10-second) bursts until just melted. Add the hot sauce and garlic powder and whisk until combined. Add the shredded chicken and toss to coat thoroughly.Alternatively, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Turn off the heat, stir in hot sauce and garlic powder, then transfer to a large bowl and mix with chicken. -
Make the Coleslaw
In a large bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt (or sour cream), lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add the coleslaw mix and toss until evenly coated. -
Warm the Tortillas
Stack tortillas on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave for 30 to 45 seconds until warm and pliable. Wrap in a clean kitchen towel or foil to keep warm. -
Assemble the Tacos
Place a spoonful of coleslaw onto each warm tortilla. Top with buffalo chicken, then sprinkle with sliced green onions and crumbled blue cheese.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 380kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 20g31%
- Saturated Fat 9g45%
- Cholesterol 85mg29%
- Sodium 920mg39%
- Potassium 320mg10%
- Total Carbohydrate 28g10%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 3g
- Protein 22g44%
- Calcium 15 mg
- Iron 10 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- Make it lighter: Use low-fat Greek yogurt and whole wheat tortillas.
- Vegetarian option: Swap chicken for shredded jackfruit or crispy cauliflower.
- Extra heat? Add a dash of cayenne or extra hot sauce to the chicken mixture.
- Make ahead: Prep coleslaw and chicken up to 1 day ahead; assemble just before serving.
