Smashed Chicken Patty Tacos with Melted Cheese, Tomato, and Tangy Special Sauce
- Serves
- 4 servings
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 18 min
- Cost
- $14.50
- Nutrition
- 530 cal · 34g protein
- kid-favorite
🍳 1 pan + 1 bowl · Picky-eater safe bet: a plain tortilla · kept by 8 families
Smashed Chicken Patty Tacos with Melted Cheese, Tomato, and Tangy Special Sauce is a Mexican-American weeknight dinner that serves 4 and is on the table in about 33 minutes, for around $15 in groceries. You'll need 1 pan + 1 bowl, and the 12 ingredients below are everyday supermarket items. Cooking for a picky eater? Plain a plain tortilla works on its own for the one who won't try the rest. Add it to your week and the whole grocery list lands in your Instacart cart in one tap.
Goes with: Fresh fruit (2 min)
Contains: Dairy · Eggs— based on the ingredients; brands vary, so check labels.
Cookware you'll need
Set these out before you start — it saves hunting through drawers mid-recipe.
- 12-inch nonstick skilletDon't have one? Amazon →
- Parchment paperDon't have one? Amazon →
- Instant-read meat thermometerDon't have one? Amazon →
- Salad spinnerDon't have one? Amazon →
- 8-inch chef's knifeDon't have one? Amazon →
- Large cutting boards (set of 2)Don't have one? Amazon →
Our kitchen essentials list · As an Amazon Associate, DinnerDrop earns from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 1½ lb ground chicken
- 8 count corn tortillas (6-inch)
- 1½ cups cheddar cheese
- 2 count fresh tomatoes
- 2 cups shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp pickle relish
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Steps
- Mix mayonnaise, ketchup, and pickle relish in a small bowl to make special sauce; season with salt and pepper and set aside.
- Season ground chicken with garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; form 8 thin patties and set on parchment.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken patties 3–4 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F; top each patty with cheddar cheese during the last minute and cover to melt.
- Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or over a gas flame for 30 seconds per side; dice tomatoes.
- Assemble tacos by spreading special sauce on tortillas, adding a cheesy chicken patty, tomato, shredded lettuce, and closing; serve with remaining sauce on the side.
- Picky eater tip: let them build their own taco with just a plain chicken patty, cheese and a tortilla, with the sauce on the side.
- Make ahead: mix the special sauce and form the patties up to a day ahead, and keep both covered in the fridge.
On the side: Fresh fruit (2 min)
1 lb fruit (grapes or apples)
- Wash and slice the fruit and put it on the table.
Nutrition per serving
- Protein
- 34 g
- Carbohydrates
- 44 g
- Fiber
- 2 g
- Sugar
- 5 g
- Fat
- 24 g
- Saturated fat
- 8 g
- Sodium
- 920 mg
Estimated from the ingredients and amounts in this recipe; brands and portions vary. Not medical or dietary advice.
Photo: Federico Ramirez / Unsplash