Chicken Caesar Smashed Tacos
These tacos combine juicy chicken, romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing with a crispy smashed tortilla base. They’re a handheld twist on the classic Caesar salad — crunchy, creamy, and perfect for lunch, dinner, or party food.
Time Required
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
2 chicken breasts (or thighs), cooked & shredded/grilled
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp paprika
Salt & pepper, to taste
For the Caesar Salad Mix:
2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
⅓ cup Caesar dressing (homemade or store-bought)
¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
¼ cup croutons, crushed
For the Tacos:
6 small flour tortillas (or corn tortillas)
½ cup shredded mozzarella or Parmesan
2 tbsp olive oil (for pan-frying)
Garnish (Optional):
Extra Caesar dressing for drizzling
Black pepper
Fresh parsley
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
1. Season chicken with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt & pepper.
2. Grill or pan-sear until fully cooked (internal temp 75°C / 165°F).
3. Slice or shred into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2: Make the Caesar Salad Mix
1. In a bowl, combine romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, Parmesan, and crushed croutons.
2. Toss until evenly coated.
Step 3: Smash the Tacos
1. Heat a skillet with a little olive oil over medium heat.
2. Place tortilla in the pan, sprinkle with cheese, then press (“smash”) lightly with a spatula until crispy and golden.
3. Repeat for all tortillas.
Step 4: Assemble the Tacos
1. Add shredded chicken on top of each smashed tortilla.
2. Pile on the Caesar salad mix.
3. Drizzle extra Caesar dressing if desired.
4. Sprinkle with black pepper and fresh parsley.
Notes & Tips
Use rotisserie chicken to save time.
Make it spicy → add chili flakes or hot sauce to the chicken.
Swap chicken with shrimp or crispy chickpeas for variety.
To make them extra crispy, bake tacos at 200°C (400°F) for 5 minutes after assembling.
Frequently asked questions FAQs
Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
Prep chicken & salad separately, assemble just before serving to keep tortillas crispy.
Q: Can I use store-bought Caesar dressing?
Yes, but homemade dressing gives a fresher flavor.
Q: Can I make them healthier?
Use whole wheat tortillas and Greek yogurt-based Caesar dressing.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 280 kcal
Protein: 21 g
Carbohydrates: 22 g
Fat: 12 g
Fiber: 3 g
Sugar: 2 g