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These Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos take everything you love about a creamy Caesar salad and wrap it in a crispy, pan-seared tortilla. With juicy ground chicken, crunchy roasted chickpeas, and tangy Caesar-dressed romaine, this TikTok-inspired recipe is an easy win for weeknight dinners or viral taco cravings.
If you’re new to the smash taco trend, it’s a method where seasoned meat is pressed directly onto a tortilla, then cooked meat-side down to create a juicy, caramelized crust - and a taco that's anything but boring.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I knew I had to recreate these after seeing the smash taco trend blow up - but with a creamy Caesar twist my whole family would eat.
This might be the most fun I've had with a Caesar salad in years. It's the kind of fusion dish that feels playful but still really satisfying - especially when that ground chicken gets all golden and crisp around the edges.
These tacos come together in about 10 minutes of cook time, making them weeknight-friendly, meal-prep-friendly, and totally customizable (just like these taco bowls!). And they're gluten-free thanks to my favorite Siete tortillas.
Whether you’re here because of the viral salad remix trend or you're just craving a twist on your usual taco night, these are worth smashing.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground chicken: Seasoned simply with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Gluten-free tortillas: I use Siete's cassava flour tortillas, but any soft tortillas that hold up to pan-searing will do.
- Chickpeas (garbanzo beans): Roasted until crispy - these add texture and extra fiber.
- Romaine lettuce: The Caesar classic. Tossed in a bit of dressing before serving.
- Caesar dressing: I love Chosen Foods brand, but you can use homemade or dairy-free if needed.
- Parmesan cheese: Brings that classic Caesar tang and melt-in-your-mouth saltiness.
- Olive oil: Helps crisp up the chickpeas.
- Salt & pepper: To season each element well.
Variations to Try
- Swap chicken for ground turkey
- Add bacon for extra Caesar flavor
- Try dairy-free parmesan or vegan Caesar dressing
- Serve on lettuce wraps for a low-carb spin
How to Make Chicken Caesar Smash Burger Tacos
Smash seasoned ground chicken onto a tortilla, pan-fry until crisp, then top with Caesar-dressed romaine, crispy chickpeas, and parmesan. Serve hot for the perfect viral taco mashup.
Step 1: Roast your chickpeas. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Step 2: Toss garbanzo beans with olive oil and salt, then roast for 30 minutes until crispy.
Step 3: Divide ground chicken into 6 equal portions.
Step 4: Spread one portion onto each tortilla, all the way to the edges.
Step 5: Heat a nonstick or cast iron skillet (medium-high heat). Use a press or spatula to smash the chicken flat - it should sizzle as it sears.
Step 6: Flip and cook 1-2 minutes more, until the tortilla is golden and chicken is fully cooked.
Step 7: Toss romaine with Caesar dressing in a large bowl.
Step 8: Assemble tacos with Caesar salad, crispy chickpeas, and a sprinkle of shredded parmesan. Serve hot!
Tips for Perfect Smash Tacos
- Use parchment-dried chickpeas to ensure they roast well.
- Smash the chicken all the way to the edges of the tortilla for even cooking.
- If tortillas stick, reduce heat slightly or try a cast iron skillet for better browning.
- Serve the salad cold and the tacos hot for contrast.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Use a dairy-free Caesar dressing and skip the parmesan or replace it with a vegan alternative.
Don't overcook it - 2-3 minutes per side is enough. You want that griddled effect without drying it out.
Yes and no. You can prep the chickpeas and Caesar salad in advance, but it's best to smash-cook the tacos fresh for texture.
Use a soft, pliable tortilla. Siete cassava holds up great. Avoid anything too dry or stiff - it'll crack or stick.
Yes! Use a paleo-friendly Caesar, skip the cheese, and use almond flour or grain-free tortillas like Siete.
These Chicken Caesar Smash Burger Tacos are bold, crisp, and creamy in all the right ways. The textures alone - warm tortillas, juicy chicken, crunchy chickpeas, and chilled romaine - make every bite a hit. Try them for your next taco night and let me know how you make them your own!
Looking for more viral taco vibes? Check out my Turkey Smash Burger Tacos next!
More Taco Recipes
Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos (Tik-Tok Inspired!)
Equipment
- griddle or skillet
Ingredients
- 15 oz can garbanzo beans, drained and dried with paper towels
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 6 gluten free tortillas, I use Siete Cassava tortillas
- 9 oz bag chopped romaine lettuce
- 3 tbsp caesar dressing, I like Chosen Foods brand
- Shredded parmesan cheese, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 and lay the drained chickpeas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Remove any loose shells. Drizzle with the oil and sprinkle with a little salt. Toss to coat. Roast for 30 mins or until crisped to your liking.
- Divide the ground chicken into 6 parts. Use a fork to spread ⅙ of the meat onto each tortilla. Sprinkle evenly with salt, pepper and garlic powder.
- Spray a non-stick pan with cooking oil and heat over medium high heat. Cook each tortilla meat-side down for 2-3 minutes, pressing down with a spatula.
- Flip and cook for another 1-2 mins. Meanwhile, combine the lettuce and dressing in a bowl and toss.
- Assemble the tacos – add some caesar salad, crispy chickpeas, and parmesan on top of each one and enjoy!
Notes
- Use parchment-dried chickpeas to ensure they roast well.
- Smash the chicken all the way to the edges of the tortilla for even cooking.
- If tortillas stick, reduce heat slightly or try a cast iron skillet for better browning.
- Serve the salad cold and the tacos hot for contrast.
- Nutrition facts are an estimate for 1 taco, assuming you have ⅙ of all ingredient amounts listed.
Nutrition
All nutrition facts are an estimate and automatically calculated. While I fact check them using My Fitness Pal, please note that they may not always be 100% accurate and depend on ingredients used. Weigh your total and divide by the number of servings for the most accurate grams per serving size.
This was really good and easy. Nothing to change.
These are incredible! Delicious with Trader Joe’s almond flour tortillas too. Thanks for sharing!
Easy and delicious!! This will be added to the recipes we make over and over!
I used almond tortillas and flour tortillas and it came out great! Quick, easy and delish!
This was sooooo good!! Super quick and easy!
Thank you for sharing this recipe. It was great! I used ground turkey instead of chicken and ranch instead of Caesar. Perfect and fast!