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
- 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 (I used Siete almond flour for ours!)
- chopped romaine → swap for spinach, kale, 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 or omit
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
How To Serve To Toddlers
Here are 3 toddler-friendly ways to serve these Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos:
deconstructed plate - cut cooked taco into bite-sized pieces and serve cheese, greens, and dressing on the side for dipping or exploring
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
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!
Storing Your Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos
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
Yes! Ground turkey works great too.
Use a DF yogurt for the dressing and skip the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
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!
You can pre-cook the chicken-tortilla base and reheat in a skillet or air fryer. Add dressing and greens fresh before serving.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:
Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos
Equipment
- cast iron or skillet
- parchment paper
Ingredients
For the Chicken Tacos
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- salt & pepper to taste
- 6-8 small tortillas flour, whole wheat, or gluten-free
- ⅓ cup shredded mozzarella or Parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup finely chopped romaine or spinach or kale
- ¼ to ½ cup Greek yogurt Caesar dressing see recipe
- olive oil or avocado oil for skillet
For the Caesar Dressing
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (in place of the anchovy paste)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 –2 teaspoon olive oil
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat and lightly oil it.
- Divide ground chicken into 8 equal balls.
- Place a tortilla on a flat surface and press a chicken ball onto the center, flattening it evenly to "smash" the chicken into the tortilla.
- Place tortilla chicken-side down onto the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and edges are golden. Flip and cook tortilla side for 1 minute to crisp.
- Remove from heat, sprinkle cheese on top while warm.
- Drizzle with Caesar dressing and top with chopped greens. Fold and enjoy!
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