Savory Chicken Bacon Tacos Recipe

Looking to elevate your Taco Tuesday game? Look no further than these mouthwatering Delicious Chicken Bacon Tacos! This recipe is a true flavor explosion, with juicy chicken thighs, crispy bacon, and a homemade ranch dressing that will have your taste buds dancing with delight. The secret touch of smokiness from cooking everything over charcoal takes these tacos to a whole new level of deliciousness.

I stumbled upon the magic of these Delicious Chicken Bacon Tacos while experimenting in the kitchen last summer, and they quickly became a hit with my friends and family. The combination of flavors is like a culinary symphony, with the buffalo sauce adding a kick that perfectly complements the cooling ranch dressing. Trust me, once you try these tacos, you’ll never want to go back to ordinary taco toppings again.

What makes these tacos truly special is their versatility. Whether you prefer a bit of heat or a milder flavor profile, you can easily customize them to suit your taste. And don’t forget to make the homemade ranch dressing a day ahead – the extra time allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. So fire up the grill, gather your ingredients, and get ready to savor every bite of these Delicious Chicken Bacon Tacos!

Table of Contents

Save this recipe

Quick Benefits

Exciting Flavor Experience: The combination of juicy chicken thighs, crispy bacon, and homemade ranch dressing creates a familiar yet exciting flavor profile.
Adaptable and Customizable: Easily adjust the heat level by adding hot sauce or swapping buffalo sauce for barbecue sauce. Kids will love a milder version with a touch of honey in the ranch dressing.
Make-Ahead Convenience: The homemade ranch dressing can be made a day in advance, allowing the flavors to meld. Perfect for meal prep or planning gatherings.

Why You’ll Love This Savory Chicken Bacon Tacos Recipe Recipe

Unique Flavor Combination: The blend of juicy chicken thighs, crispy bacon, and homemade ranch dressing creates a familiar yet exciting taste experience.
Perfect for Gatherings: This recipe is a hit at backyard gatherings and parties – your friends will be requesting these tacos every time they visit.
Unexpected Flavor Pairings: The combination of buffalo sauce with cooling ranch dressing is surprisingly delightful and addictive, loved even by skeptical eaters.
Make-Ahead Ranch Dressing: The homemade ranch dressing tastes even better when made in advance, allowing the flavors to develop and meld together.
Adaptable and Customizable: You can easily adjust the heat level to your preference, making it spicier for heat lovers or milder for kids by swapping sauces or adding honey to the dressing.
Great for Taco Night: Whether it’s Taco Tuesday or any other night, these tacos will make a delicious and satisfying meal for your family.
Versatile Presentation: Serve the components separately for a build-your-own taco bar, allowing everyone to customize their tacos just the way they like.
Perfect Pairings: These tacos go well with a simple side salad or other Mexican-inspired dishes, and they can be complemented with a light Mexican lager or a smoky mezcal margarita.
Grill for Smoky Flavor: Cooking everything over charcoal imparts a delightful smoky flavor, enhancing the taste of the tacos.
Crispy Bacon Technique: Cooking the bacon slowly in a cold cast iron skillet ensures perfectly crispy results, adding a satisfying crunch to the tacos.

Ingredients for Savory Chicken Bacon Tacos Recipe

Chicken

2 tbsp kosher salt
2 tbsp garlic powder
8-10 chicken thighs
Buffalo sauce, as needed
Canola oil, as needed
2 tbsp black pepper

Homemade Ranch

2 tbsp mayonnaise
Salt to taste
Buttermilk to desired consistency
1 tsp black pepper
1.5 tsp garlic powder
2.5 tbsp sour cream
1.5 tbsp chopped parsley
1 tbsp chopped dill

Tacos

4-5 bacon slices
Shredded jack cheese
Chopped chives, for garnish
Flour tortillas

Pro Tips for Savory Chicken Bacon Tacos Recipe

Pro Tip 1: To enhance the flavors of the ranch dressing, make it a day ahead to allow the herbs to infuse their taste fully. Store the dressing in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days, adding more buttermilk if needed before serving.

Pro Tip 2: Customize the heat level of the tacos to suit your preference. For a spicier kick, add hot sauce to the ranch dressing or opt for a hotter buffalo sauce. For a milder version, swap the buffalo sauce for barbecue sauce and include a touch of honey in the ranch.

Pro Tip 3: For a crispy texture, cook your bacon slices slowly in a cold cast iron skillet over medium heat. Let them gradually become crispy as the skillet warms up, ensuring perfectly cooked bacon for your tacos.

How to Make Savory Chicken Bacon Tacos Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Ranch Sauce

Combine all the ranch ingredients in a bowl and mix. Set aside for later use.

Step 2: Season Chicken

Coat chicken thighs with oil and season generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Refrigerate until cooking.

Step 3: Cook Bacon

Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Place a cold cast iron skillet on the grill and cook bacon until crispy. Remove bacon from skillet and chop.

Step 4: Grill Chicken

Grill chicken for 6-8 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 170°F. Baste with buffalo sauce after flipping. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.

Step 5: Prepare Tortillas

Preheat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Place a tortilla in the skillet and cook one side. Flip the tortilla, add shredded cheese, fold in half, and cook until crispy with melted cheese.

Step 6: Assemble Tacos

Spread ranch sauce over a tortilla, then add sliced chicken and crumbled bacon. Sprinkle with chopped chives, fold, and serve.

📌 Pin for later!

Save this recipe

Storage Tips

To store the finished dish of Delicious Chicken Bacon Tacos, ensure that any leftovers are properly cooled before refrigerating. The homemade ranch dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If the dressing thickens, simply add a splash more buttermilk before serving to reach the desired consistency. When storing the tacos, keep the components separate if possible, especially if you have leftover chicken, bacon, or shredded cheese. This will help maintain the freshness and texture of each ingredient until you’re ready to reassemble and enjoy the tacos again.

For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked chicken and bacon separately. Place them in freezer-safe containers or bags, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. When you’re ready to enjoy the tacos again, simply thaw the chicken and bacon in the refrigerator overnight before reheating and assembling the tacos. While the tacos are best enjoyed fresh, properly stored leftovers can be a convenient meal option for a quick and delicious bite to eat later on.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you prefer a different protein or have dietary restrictions, you can substitute the chicken thighs with boneless, skinless chicken breasts or even tofu for a vegetarian option. Adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure the meat is cooked through.

For a healthier twist, you can replace the sour cream with Greek yogurt in the ranch dressing. Greek yogurt provides a tangy flavor similar to sour cream but with added protein. You can also use a dairy-free alternative like coconut milk yogurt for a vegan-friendly version of the dressing.

If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can easily make a substitute by mixing 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes until it curdles slightly, then use it in place of buttermilk in the ranch dressing. Adjust the amount of lemon juice or vinegar to suit your taste preferences.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these delicious chicken bacon ranch tacos by setting up a DIY taco bar for your guests. Arrange the grilled chicken thighs, crispy bacon crumbles, shredded jack cheese, chopped chives, and the homemade ranch dressing in separate bowls. Warm up the flour tortillas and let everyone build their own tacos according to their preferences. This interactive and customizable setup is perfect for gatherings and allows guests to tailor their tacos to their liking.

For a visually appealing presentation, consider layering the components of the taco in a clear glass jar or a mason jar. Start with a base of shredded jack cheese, followed by chunks of grilled chicken, crispy bacon crumbles, and a drizzle of the homemade ranch dressing. Top it off with a sprinkle of chopped chives for a pop of color. This individual serving idea not only looks impressive but also ensures each bite is packed with all the delicious flavors of the chicken bacon ranch tacos.

FAQs for Savory Chicken Bacon Tacos Recipe

Can I use a different type of tortilla for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute flour tortillas with corn tortillas or your preferred type. Just adjust the cooking time as needed to achieve the desired texture.

How do I achieve that smoky flavor in the chicken bacon tacos?

The smoky flavor comes from using a grill and Cowboy Charcoal along with subtle basting of buffalo sauce while cooking the chicken. This combination adds a delicious hint of smokiness to the dish.

Can I prepare the homemade ranch dressing in advance?

Absolutely! The homemade ranch dressing actually improves when made a day in advance as the herbs have more time to infuse their flavors throughout the dressing. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Adjust the consistency with a splash more buttermilk before serving if it thickens too much.

What are some variations I can try with this recipe?

For those who enjoy more heat, add hot sauce to the ranch dressing or use a spicier buffalo sauce on the chicken. For a milder version, replace the buffalo sauce with barbecue sauce and add a touch of honey to the ranch dressing. These variations can cater to different taste preferences, making the recipe versatile and enjoyable for all.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoy making and sharing these Delicious Chicken Bacon Tacos with your loved ones. They’re perfect for a cozy family dinner or a fun gathering with friends. The combination of flavors and textures in these tacos is sure to please even the pickiest eaters and leave everyone asking for seconds.

Remember, feel free to customize these tacos to suit your preferences. Whether you like them extra spicy or prefer a milder version, these tacos are incredibly versatile and can be adapted to your liking. So don’t hesitate to experiment and make them your own.

So fire up the grill, gather your ingredients, and get ready to indulge in the delightful flavors of these Delicious Chicken Bacon Tacos. From the smoky chicken thighs to the crispy bacon and homemade ranch dressing, every bite is a burst of deliciousness that will make these tacos a favorite in your household. Enjoy!

📌 Pin for later!

Save this recipe