If you’re searching for the best chicken taco recipe, nothing hits the spot quite like Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos. With the perfect combination of grilled tender chicken thigh meat, crispy bacon, and that creamy homemade ranch dressing flavor we all love, these tacos are so freakin’ delicious!
Post sponsored by Cowboy Charcoal.
Whether you’re on the lookout for quick dinner ideas after a crazy day or just looking for a fun way to elevate your economy pack of chicken thighs, this recipe’s got your back. The recipe comes together after sizzling some bacon and chicken on my new FYR Grill (soon to be your new best friend!).
I’m using my favorite lump charcoal to ensure that everything stays nice and tasty. The amazing folks at Cowboy Charcoal make some seriously clean hardwood lump charcoal that gives a great smoky flavor that is never overpowering. Their lump charcoal lights faster, burns hotter, and leaves less ash than briquets. It also cooks evenly and for a long time, which is ideal for cooking grilled chicken to perfection.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos
- Chicken Ranch Tacos Ingredients Roundup
- How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos
- Using the Charcoal Starter on the FYR Grill
- Grill Time
- What to Serve with Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos
- More Buffalo Chicken
- Leftovers & Reheating
- FAQs
- This sauce is FYR!
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos Recipe
Why You’ll Love Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos
These Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos are all about big flavors and easy vibes. Imagine this: smoky bacon meets juicy grilled chicken brushed with buffalo sauce, all wrapped up in cheesy, ranch-covered goodness. It’s like the best of all worlds in every bite. Seriously, these tacos are the definition of perfection. So, let’s dive in and whip up this mouthwatering masterpiece!
If tacos are your obsession, then make sure to check out The Best Taco Recipes roundup!
Chicken Ranch Tacos Ingredients Roundup
To make these Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos, you’ll need just a few key ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.
- Chicken – Chicken thighs are seasoned with a blend of kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Some buffalo sauce adds that spicy, tangy kick. To ensure a good sear on the grill, have some canola oil on hand.
- Homemade Ranch – This dressing is easy to make with some sour cream, mayonnaise, freshly chopped parsley, and dill. Garlic powder and black pepper add a little kick, while buttermilk helps you achieve the perfect consistency. Don’t forget to season with salt to taste.
- Tacos – Soft flour tortillas, shredded Jack cheese, and chopped chives are what you’ll need to assemble this recipe. Finally, crispy bacon slices add that irresistible crunch and smoky flavor that will leave you begging for more.
Now that you know what to grab at the grocery store, it’s time to make these Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos. Gather your ingredients, and let’s fire up that grill!
How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos
Homemade Ranch
Start by whipping up that creamy and refreshing homemade ranch. All you need to do is mix sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped parsley, dill, garlic powder, and black pepper in a bowl. Slowly add buttermilk until you get that perfect ranch consistency—whether thick or a bit runny, it’s up to you. Once it’s seasoned to your liking with a pinch of salt, set it aside in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
For more with ranch, check out my Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders, Chicken Bacon Ranch Patty Melt and Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadilla. Oh, and I also have a Chicken Bacon Ranch Sausage Skewers recipe too! If you hadn’t realized it yet… Ranch is one of my favorite sauces.
Chicken Prep
Now, let’s get those chicken thighs prepped. Slather them with canola oil and give them a generous seasoning of kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder (or your favorite chicken rub if you’re feeling adventurous). Once seasoned, let the chicken sit in the fridge to soak up all those flavors while you preheat your grill.
Using the Charcoal Starter on the FYR Grill
Getting the perfect sear on any meat starts with a solid foundation—your charcoal. For the FYR Grill, here’s the lowdown: Fill the charcoal starter with Cowboy Charcoal and light it up. Let the coals catch fire and burn until they’re ashed over and glowing hot. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes. Once your coals are ready, carefully pour them into the charcoal basket of the FYR Grill, spreading them out evenly for that ideal, consistent heat. Now, you’re set for some epic grilling! Whether you’re searing steaks or grilling chicken thighs, those hot coals will give you that perfect char and flavor every time.
Bonus tip: If you want an even smokier flavor, toss in a chunk of hardwood like oak or hickory right before you start cooking. Cowboy Charcoal has a whole line of hardwood chunks you can choose from!
Grill Time
Fire up your grill to medium-high heat, aiming for around 375 degrees F. While the grill is heating up, grab a cast iron skillet and place it cold on the grill. Add your bacon slices to the skillet, letting them cook slowly until they’re nice and crispy. Once the bacon’s done, set it aside to cool before chopping it into bite-sized pieces.
With the bacon out of the way, it’s time to grill the chicken. Place the thighs directly on the grill, cooking them for about 6-8 minutes per side. After you flip them, brush on some buffalo sauce for that spicy, tangy kick.
Continue basting as needed until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 170 degrees F. Once you hit temperature, pull the pieces of chicken off the grill and let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes. This will help keep it juicy. After resting, slice the chicken into thin strips.
Chicken Tacos Assembly Time
Now that your chicken and bacon are ready, it’s time to build those tacos. For this step, you can use the grill or a cast iron skillet that is heated up to medium heat. Once the surface is hot, lay a flour tortilla over it and let it cook on one side. When you see some light browning, flip the tortilla over and quickly sprinkle a handful of shredded Jack cheese on top. Fold the tortilla in half with the cheese inside, pressing down slightly to help the cheese melt.
Cook the folded tortilla on both sides until it’s crispy and the cheese is fully melted. Once done, pull the tortilla off the heat and gently open it back up. It’s time to fill it with all that deliciousness! Add a generous portion of your sliced chicken, followed by a sprinkle of crumbled bacon. Drizzle on a good helping of your homemade ranch, and finish it off with a sprinkle of chopped chives. Fold it back up and dig in!
What to Serve with Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos
These tacos pair perfectly with a variety of sides. Think Mexican rice, refried beans, or a fresh, crisp salad. If you’re hosting a taco bar, set out some extra toppings like guacamole, sour cream, and extra salsa so everyone can customize their own tacos. These tacos are great on their own, but a side of tortilla chips with queso never hurt anyone!
More Buffalo Chicken
Leftovers & Reheating
If you have any leftover chicken tacos (though I doubt you will), store the inner chicken mixture in an airtight container in the fridge. It should keep for about 2-3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them the next day, just reheat the chicken in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.
You can also warm up the tortillas and bacon taco shells in the oven. Once everything is heated, assemble your tacos as before, and they’ll taste just as good as the first time!
FAQs
Absolutely! If you’re short on time or want to make things even easier, rotisserie chicken is a great substitute. Just shred it up, add some buffalo sauce and you’re good to go.
No worries at all! Corn tortillas can absolutely work, though they’re usually smaller and might be a bit more delicate. Just handle them carefully, and they’ll still deliver that delicious taco experience.
Definitely! While ranch adds a creamy, tangy flavor, you can easily swap it out for other sauces like chipotle mayo, avocado crema, or even a chunky salsa to suit your taste preferences.
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Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 8-10 Chicken Thighs
- 2 tbsp Kosher Salt
- 2 tbsp Black Pepper
- 2 tbsp Garlic Powder
- Buffalo Sauce as needed
- Canola Oil as needed
Homemade Ranch:
- 2.5 tbsp Sour Cream
- 2 tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1.5 tbsp Chopped Parsley
- 1 tbsp Chopped Dill
- 1.5 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- Buttermilk to desired consistency
- Salt to taste
Tacos:
- Flour Tortillas
- Shredded Jack Cheese
- Chopped Chives garnish
- 4-5 Bacon Slices
Instructions
Chicken, Bacon & Ranch:
- Add all the ingredients for your ranch to a bowl and mix. Set to the side until ready to use.
- Slather your chicken thighs with oil and generously season with salt, pepper and garlic powder or your favorite chicken rub. Set in the fridge until ready to cook.
- Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (about 375F).
- Add a cold cast iron skillet to the heat and add your bacon slices to cook until nice and crispy. Once done, pull off to cool then chop up.
- Next, add your chicken to the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes per side or until they are 170F. After you flip the chicken, baste with the buffalo sauce and continue cooking. Baste as needed. Once the chicken is done, pull off to let it rest for 5 minutes. Once rested, slice into thin strips.
Tacos:
- Add a cast iron skillet over medium heat to preheat.
- Add a tortilla and cook one side then flip and top with a handful of shredded cheese. Fold the tortilla with cheese over in half, then cook both sides until slightly crispy and the cheese is melted.
- Pull the tortilla off and open up. Add sliced chicken, crumbled bacon and a good helping of ranch. Top with chives and enjoy!
Nutrition
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