These Crispy Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos combine a golden Parmesan-panko chicken crust with warm flour tortillas, cool romaine, crunchy garlic croutons, and a bright homemade Caesar dressing. Ground chicken is pressed directly onto the tortillas, coated with Parmesan breadcrumbs, and pan-fried until crisp before being finished with lightly dressed lettuce, shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano, black pepper, and fresh lemon zest.

The key is keeping the chicken layer thin, cooking it over moderate heat, and assembling the tacos immediately before serving so the contrast between the crisp chicken, crunchy croutons, and creamy Caesar salad stays intact.

Ingredients

Caesar Dressing

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 2 anchovy fillets, finely minced
• 1 garlic clove, finely grated
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 to 2 tablespoons water, as needed

Garlic Croutons

• 2 cups sourdough bread, cut into 1/4- to 3/8-inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Chicken Smash Tacos

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 6 small flour tortillas
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/3 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• Olive oil, as needed for frying

For Assembly

• 3 cups romaine lettuce, finely chopped
• Caesar dressing, as needed
• Garlic croutons, as needed
• Freshly shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Fresh lemon zest

Instructions

Make the Caesar Dressing

1. Combine the mayonnaise, Parmigiano-Reggiano, anchovies, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper in a medium bowl.
2. Stir until thoroughly combined and creamy.
3. Add 1 tablespoon water and stir. Add additional water, a little at a time, if necessary, until the dressing is creamy but loose enough to drizzle.
4. Cover and refrigerate while preparing the remaining ingredients.

Make the Garlic Croutons

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Place the sourdough cubes in a medium bowl.
3. Combine the olive oil and grated garlic, then drizzle the mixture over the bread.
4. Add the kosher salt and black pepper and toss until the bread cubes are evenly coated.
5. Spread the bread in a single layer on a baking sheet.
6. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the croutons are golden brown and crisp.
7. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Prepare the Chicken Smash Tacos

1. Combine the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
2. Place the ground chicken in a medium bowl. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the chicken and gently mix just until combined.
3. Divide the seasoned chicken into 6 equal portions.
4. Place one portion of chicken onto each tortilla and press it into a very thin, even layer, extending almost completely to the edges.
5. Combine the panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano in a shallow dish.
6. Press the chicken side of each tortilla firmly into the Parmesan-panko mixture until evenly coated.

Cook the Tacos

1. Pour enough olive oil into a large skillet to lightly coat the bottom. Heat over medium heat.
2. Place 1 or 2 tacos chicken-side down in the skillet without overcrowding the pan.
3. Cook until the Parmesan-panko crust is deeply golden and the chicken appears mostly opaque around the edges, about 4 to 5 minutes. Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the chicken and the heat of the skillet.
4. Reduce the heat slightly if the coating begins browning too quickly.
5. Carefully flip each taco.
6. Cook tortilla-side down for about 1 to 2 minutes, just until the tortilla is lightly toasted and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Use the internal temperature, rather than cooking time alone, as the final indication of doneness.
7. Transfer the cooked tacos to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate.
8. Repeat with the remaining tacos, adding additional olive oil to the skillet as necessary.

Assemble the Tacos

1. Place the chopped romaine in a bowl and toss with just enough Caesar dressing to lightly coat the lettuce.
2. Top each warm chicken taco with dressed romaine.
3. Add a small amount of garlic croutons.
4. Drizzle lightly with additional Caesar dressing.
5. Finish with shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano, freshly ground black pepper, and fresh lemon zest.
6. Serve immediately.

Cook’s Notes

• Keep the chicken layer very thin and evenly distributed so the coating does not brown before the chicken is fully cooked.
• Use medium heat rather than high heat. Parmesan and panko brown quickly, so moderate heat gives the chicken enough time to reach 165°F without burning the crust.
• Always verify doneness with an instant-read thermometer. Ground chicken is fully cooked when the center reaches 165°F.
• Dress the romaine lightly. Too much dressing will quickly soften the crispy chicken coating.
• Keep the croutons small. Large Caesar-style croutons can make the tacos difficult to eat and overpower the other textures.
• Fresh garlic gives the croutons deeper flavor than garlic powder, but it can brown quickly. Mixing it thoroughly with the olive oil helps distribute it evenly and reduces the chance of scorching.
• Assemble only the tacos that will be eaten immediately. The contrast between the crisp chicken, crunchy croutons, and creamy Caesar salad is best within the first few minutes after assembly.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with roasted potatoes, grilled vegetables, a simple tomato salad, or a chilled cucumber salad.
• For a lighter meal, pair with additional romaine tossed with a small amount of Caesar dressing and fresh lemon juice.
• Serve extra Caesar dressing and lemon wedges at the table.

Beverage Suggestions

• Sauvignon Blanc
• Pinot Grigio
• Dry sparkling wine
• Sparkling water with fresh lemon
• Unsweetened iced tea
• Lightly sweetened citrus iced tea