This easy weeknight dinner idea has it all going on! My favorite grilled buffalo chicken tacos recipe uses an easy zesty marinade to infuse the chicken with bold, tangy flavor – then doubles as a saucy drizzle to spoon right over. It’s all topped with a creamy cilantro blue cheese slaw so you get that perfect kick of spicy and creamy in every bite.
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Our Favorite Grilled Buffalo Chicken Tacos
Any recipe preempted by the words buffalo and chicken is hard for me to pass up, which is why I can’t pass up this grilled buffalo chicken tacos recipe on a regular rotation. Just like my award-winning buffalo chicken chili recipe, it hits all the right spots – a touch of heat with a cool, tangy, creaminess.
Buffalo tacos fall right in line with all my easy gluten-free dinner ideas – simple, zero-brain-cells-required prep. Part of the marinade is set aside to double as a serving sauce. You won’t be left cursing dry chicken here. The zesty sauce mixes with the grilled chicken and blue cheese slaw so all the textures are spot-on balanced.
While the chicken tenderloins marinate, I like to mix together the slaw topping. As it he dressing sits with the shredded cabbage it transitions into a nice creamy cilantro sauce. The chicken takes minutes to grill and you are ready for my favorite part – fix up your tacos and serve!
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(Below shows step-by-step photos and modified instructions. For the complete recipe, along with ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card.)
Marinate the chicken with bonus sauce
Whisk together the marinade ingredients in a small bowl. Before adding the chicken to it, though, you will set some of it aside and add a bit of honey to it. This is what will be used drizzling over the cooked chicken. Refrigerate the chicken for at least 1 hour before grilling.
Blue cheese cilantro slaw (kind of a must make…)
You can’t just stop with spicy. The creaminess is the ying to the yang. For coleslaw to get nice and creamy it has to sit for at least 1 hour before serving. Therefore, while the chicken marinates, combine the slaw dressing ingredients in a large bowl. Add in the coleslaw mix, stir to combine and refrigerate.
Fire up the grill
I like using the marinade with chicken tenderloins because they cook very fast and the don’t have the tendency to dry out like chicken breasts can. They only need about 5 minutes on one side, flip and cook a few minutes longer.
If you want to take this dinner to the next level, go ahead and throw the tortillas on the grill as well to warm. Especially is you are using corn tortillas, this will make them nice and flexible.
Time To Serve with Bonus Ideas!
Marinated buffalo-style tacos already have the complete package going on, but what’s a taco without more toppings?! For cheeses you can offer up additional blue cheese, freshly grated cheddar, Monterey jack, or queso fresca.
Besides the slaw, we’ve serve these with avocado, red onion, red pepper, fresh cilantro, tomatoes, or diced celery. You may also omit the slaw and drizzle on ranch dressing, or both!
If you have any chicken leftover, it can be used as a topping for salads, quick grilled gluten-free pizzas, in quesadillas, nachos, or lettuce wraps.
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Grilled Marinated Buffalo Chicken Tacos with Slaw
Ingredients
Marinated Buffalo Chicken
- ⅓ cup hot sauce, such as Frank's Red Hot
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon celery salt
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, regular paprika may be substituted
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey, for sauce
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breast tenderloins , see recipe notes for using breasts
Creamy Blue Cheese Slaw
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup blue cheese crumbles
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 ½ tablespoon cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 14 ounce bag coleslaw mix
- 12 flour or corn tortillas
- optional toppings: blue cheese, cilantro, cheddar cheese, red onion, avocado
Instructions
- In a small bowl whisk together hot sauce, garlic powder, celery salt, paprika, pepper, and olive oil. (DO NOT ADD HONEY YET). Remove ¼ cup of sauce to marinate chicken in. Place chicken in a ziplock bag or large shallow bowl, add ¼ cup marinade, and toss evenly to coat. Refrigerate 1-4 hours.⅓ cup hot sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon celery salt, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 ½ pounds chicken breast tenderloins
- Add 1 tablespoon honey to remaining marinade, cover, and store in refrigerator for later use.1 tablespoon honey
- While chicken is marinating prepare the slaw at least one hour before serving. Stir together mayonnaise, blue cheese, cilantro, vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. Add coleslaw mix and stir to combine. Cover and chill for 1-2 hours. Slaw will seem dry at first, but as it chills the sauce will become creamier.⅓ cup mayonnaise, ⅓ cup blue cheese crumbles, ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 ½ tablespoon cider vinegar, ¼ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper, 14 ounce bag coleslaw mix
- Heat the grill to medium heat and grease the grates. Grill the chicken undisturbed for 5 minutes on one side, or until char marks appear and chicken releases easily from grill. Flip and cook a few minutes more on other side or until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken and let rest while tortillas are heated or grilled.
- For grilled tortillas, clean grate then place tortillas directly on dry grill. Grill for 2 minutes per side, or until char marks start to appear. Store warm tortillas in foil until ready to serve.
- For Serving: Chopped the cooked chicken and serve on tortillas. Drizzle with reserved honey marinade. Top each taco with coleslaw and any other additional desired toppings.
Notes
Using Chicken Breasts
I like using tenders because they are already portioned in uniform sizes, making prep a little easier. However, if you prefer using chicken breasts either pound uniformly or slice evenly in 2 inch wide strips.This post contains affiliate links. My opinions are always my own. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, I make a small commission – at no cost to you. Read full disclosure policy here.
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