Description
How to make tender BBQ ranch chicken tacos with smoky barbecue sauce and creamy ranch that bring comfort food vibes to taco night.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
Sauces and Seasonings
- 1/3 cup barbecue sauce, divided
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 1 tbsp lime juice
Taco Assembly
- 8 small flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Toss chicken pieces with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Let rest 10 minutes for flavors to penetrate.
- Cook Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and cook 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through to 165°F.
- Add Barbecue: Pour half the barbecue sauce over cooked chicken and toss to coat. Cook 2 more minutes until sauce caramelizes and becomes sticky and aromatic.
- Make Ranch: In a small bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, lime juice, and remaining barbecue sauce until smooth. This creates the perfect creamy, tangy sauce.
- Warm Tortillas: Heat tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side or wrap in damp paper towels and microwave 30 seconds until warm and pliable.
- Assemble Tacos: Fill each tortilla with BBQ chicken, drizzle with ranch mixture, then top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, red onion, and cilantro. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Don’t skip letting the seasoned chicken rest – it makes a huge difference in flavor penetration and final taste.
- Store leftover chicken and toppings separately to maintain freshness and prevent sogginess for up to 3 days.
- Double-stack tortillas if your family likes to load them up with extra toppings and sauce.
- Try different barbecue sauce brands to find your perfect flavor balance with the ranch dressing.
- Warm tortillas are essential – cold ones will crack and ruin the whole taco experience completely.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 385 calories
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Protein: 32g