Thai Smashed Chicken Tacos
This isn’t just dinner; it’s a passport to pure deliciousness. Imagine tender, perfectly “smashed” chicken, infused with vibrant Thai-inspired spices and herbs, piled high in a warm tortilla with all the fresh, crunchy fixings. It’s the best of both worlds: the comforting familiarity of a taco meets the bold, aromatic punch of Thai cuisine. Think savory, a little sweet, a hint of spice, and utterly irresistible textures in every single bite.
We’ve been playing with these flavors, and we’re so excited to share this innovative and ridiculously tasty recipe with you. It’s truly a unique dish that promises to become a new favorite for weeknights and weekend feasts alike!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
Ingredients
For Chicken:
- 1 lb ground chicken (thighs preferred)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce
- 1 Tbsp lime juice
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
For Slaw:
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- 1 small carrot, julienned
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- pinch of salt
For Chili Mayo:
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 1 Tbsp Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 tsp sriracha
- splash of lime juice (optional)
Other:
- 8 small corn or flour tortillas
- neutral oil for pan
- Optional: sliced jalapenos, chopped peanuts, diced avocado
Instructions
- Toss slaw ingredients together in a bowl. Set aside
- Whisk chili mayo ingredients together. Set aside if eating right away or cover & put into refrigerator if making this ahead of time.
- Mix chicken ingredients in a bowl. Divide into 8 portions.
- Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the pan.
- Place tortilla in pan, then immediately press one portion of chicken on top, smashing it thin with a spatula to fill most of the tortilla surface. (The meat will shrink a bit on the tortilla as it cooks.)
- Cook 3-4 minutes until browned, then flip to cook 1-2 minutes more until the chicken is cooked through.
- Assemble tacos with smashed chicken side up, slaw on top, and a drizzle of chili mayo. Garnish if desired with jalapenos, peanuts, diced avocado or whatever toppings you desire.
Keywords: Main Dish, Dinner, Lunch, Tacos, Thai, Chili Mayo, Chicken, Chicken Thighs, Smashed burger, Smashed Tacos