Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos

If you’re craving a fun, high-protein dinner that’s quick enough for busy nights AND toddler-approved, these Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos are about to be your new go-to! Think the classic Caesar salad—but flipped into a crispy, cheesy taco using ground chicken, soft tortillas, and a creamy Greek Yogurt Caesar Dressing (without anchovies, because I personally hate purchasing an ingredient I’ll only use once). It’s a one-skillet meal, comes together in under 20 minutes, and is super customizable for littles.

Did you know that Caesar salad is often one of the easiest salads for picky eaters to accept? Its salty, creamy, crunchy, and cheesy combo feels familiar and safe—plus, it’s made with just a few simple ingredients and minimal textures to navigate. That’s exactly why I turned those classic, kid-friendly flavors into these Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos! You get the same comforting taste in a fun, high-protein taco form that’s perfect for busy nights—and easy for little ones to enjoy too.

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Ingredients
Instructions
Substitutions
Variations
For Little Ones
Equipment
Storage
Tiff’s Tip
FAQ
Related
Pairing
Recipe
💬 Comments

Ingredients

Ground chicken – a lean, high-protein base that cooks quickly and is mild in flavor for picky eaters
Garlic powder – adds a subtle savory flavor without overwhelming little taste buds
Onion powder – brings mild sweetness and depth without the texture of fresh onions
Salt & pepper – simple seasoning to enhance all the flavors
Tortillas – the perfect base to hold everything together and crisp up for that taco crunch
Shredded Parmesan – adds that classic salty, cheesy Caesar flavor toddlers recognize and love
Finely chopped romaine, spinach, or kale – a soft, easy way to introduce greens without too much texture
Greek Yogurt Caesar Dressing – delivers the creamy Caesar taste with extra protein—plus it doubles as a fun dip for toddlers!
Olive oil or avocado oil – keeps the tacos from sticking and helps achieve a golden, crispy finish when cooking

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Step 1: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium and lightly oil it. Mix the ground chicken with seasonings.

Step 2: Lay out tortillas and place 1-2 scoops of ground meat on each.

Step 3: Flat out onto tortilla using parchment paper, make sure it’s evenly spread. Place tortilla chicken-side down in skillet. Cook 4–5 mins until chicken is cooked through. Flip and cook tortilla side for 1 minute until slightly crisp.

Step 4: Remove, sprinkle with cheese, drizzle Caesar dressing, and top with greens.

Hint: Be sure to use parchment paper or lightly oiled hands to press the chicken onto the tortilla! This helps the chicken cook evenly and stick to the tortilla for that perfect crispy, golden finish!

Substitutions

This is naturally gluten-free if using gluten-free tortillas! Here are other substitutions you can make:

Ground Chicken → ground turkey or plant-based ground
Tortillas → use gluten-free tortillas if needed
Spinach → swap for shredded lettuce or any greens of choice
Caesar Dressing → swap for ranch if desired, dairy-free if needed (here’s a dairy-free version if you need it)
Parmesan cheese → swap for dairy-free cheese if needed

Variations

You can totally customize these to whatever taste preference you have!

Buffalo Caesar Smash Tacos – mix a little buffalo sauce into the ground chicken or drizzle on top with the Caesar dressing for a mild, tangy kick
Cheesy Ranch Smash Tacos – swap the Caesar dressing for a Greek yogurt ranch and add extra shredded cheese for a creamy, kid-approved twist
BBQ Chicken Smash Tacos – stir a spoonful of BBQ sauce into the ground chicken before cooking and top with cheddar instead of Parmesan. Serve with ranch or Caesar as a dip!
Veggie-Loaded Smash Tacos – mix finely chopped spinach, bell peppers, or shredded zucchini into the chicken for an extra veggie boost

For Little Ones

Here are 3 toddler-friendly ways to serve these Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos:

Taco Dippers – slice into strips or triangles and serve with Caesar dressing for dipping, kinda like chicken + cheese quesadilla bites!
Mini Smash Tacos – use street taco-size tortillas and smaller portions for toddler hand-friendly bites
Deconstructed Plate – cut cooked taco into bite-sized pieces and serve cheese, greens, and dressing on the side for dipping or exploring

PS – grab a chip clip for them to hold the taco or quesadilla with! A little novelty can spark interest into actually taking a bite!

Equipment

You just need a skillet or cast iron and parchment paper (for pressing) to make these tacos!

Storage

You can store the dressing in the fridge for up to 3 days! Everything else is best when fresh.

Tiff’s Tip

Instead of serving greens on the side, you can finely chop spinach or romaine and mix it into the ground chicken before cooking. It softens as it cooks and blends right in—making it easier for little ones to explore without feeling like they’re “eating a salad.”

FAQ

Can I use a different protein?

Yes! Ground turkey works great too.

Can I make these dairy-free?

Use a DF yogurt for the dressing and skip the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.

Which tortillas work best?

Flour or whole wheat tortillas hold up best for smashing, but gluten-free tortillas work too—just handle gently to avoid breaking. I used Siete almond flour for these and they turned out great!

Can I meal prep these?

You can pre-cook the chicken-tortilla base and reheat in a skillet or air fryer. Add dressing and greens fresh before serving.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:

Recipe