Description
Golden crispy hot honey cowboy butter chicken smashed tacos loaded with juicy spiced chicken, melty cheese, and a sweet-heat cowboy butter drizzle.
Ingredients
- For the Cowboy Butter Chicken
- 1 ½ lbs ground chicken or finely diced chicken
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 4 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- For the Hot Honey Drizzle
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (more if desired)
- ½ tsp chili flakes
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- For the Smashed Tacos
- 8 small flour tortillas
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack
- 1 cup shredded cheddar (optional)
- Butter or oil for crisping
- Optional toppings: jalapeños, cilantro, ranch, lime wedges
Instructions
- Cook the Cowboy Butter Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Add chicken and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, chili powder, and onion powder. Cook until browned and cooked through. Add butter, garlic, lemon juice, and parsley; toss until glossy and coated.
- Make the Hot Honey: Warm honey, hot sauce, chili flakes, and smoked paprika in a small pan for 1–2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the Smashed Tacos: Heat tortillas briefly. Place cheese in the center, then spoon cowboy butter chicken on top. Fold tortilla closed.
- Sear & Smash: Heat a skillet with butter or oil. Place each taco in the skillet and press down to flatten. Crisp 2–3 minutes per side until golden and melty.
- Serve: Drizzle with hot honey. Add cilantro, jalapeños, ranch, or lime as desired.
Notes
- Use your favorite cheese combination for extra flavor.
- Adjust hot honey spiciness to taste.
- Serve immediately for best crispy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Tacos
- Method: Pan-fry & Sear
- Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex