Chicken Parmesan Smash Tacos

If chicken parmesan and tacos had a baby… this would be it. Crispy, golden chicken pressed right onto a tortilla, coated in seasoned panko, pan-fried until crunchy, then topped with marinara and parmesan and baked until melty.

And the best part is stuffing them with Caesar salad before serving. Crunchy, saucy, cheesy – it’s ridiculous in the best way.

⭐ Why You’ll Love This

• Crispy outside, juicy inside
• High-protein dinner
• Fun twist on classic chicken parm
• Great for weeknight dinners
• Surprisingly easy to make

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🧄 Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 8 small flour tortillas
• 1½ cups panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• Olive oil (for frying)

For Serving

• Caesar salad (romaine, Caesar dressing, croutons, parmesan)

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🍳 How to Make It

1. Spread an even layer of ground chicken onto one side of each tortilla, pressing it all the way to the edges.
2. In a shallow bowl, combine panko, parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Press the chicken side of each tortilla into the breadcrumb mixture so it fully adheres.
4. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place tortillas chicken-side down and cook until golden and crispy, about 4–5 minutes. Flip and cook the tortilla side until lightly golden and the chicken is cooked through.
5. Spread marinara sauce over the cooked chicken side and sprinkle with fresh parmesan.
6. Transfer to the oven at 375°F for 5–8 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the sauce is hot.
7. Fill each taco with Caesar salad, fold, and serve immediately.

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📝 Recipe Notes

• Extra crispy: Add a little more parmesan to the panko mix.
• Mozzarella option: Add shredded mozzarella for a more traditional chicken parm feel.
• Air fryer option: Cook chicken side down first, then flip and finish until cooked through.
• Meal prep tip: Store tacos and salad separately to keep them crisp.

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🔢 Recipe Details & Nutrition (Estimated)

• Servings: 4
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Calories: ~560 kcal | Protein: ~38 g per serving

(Includes taco, sauce, parmesan, and Caesar filling.)

FAQs

Does the chicken stay attached to the tortilla?
Yes – press it firmly and cook chicken-side down first.

Can I use ground turkey?
Absolutely. It works the same way.

Can I make them ahead?
They’re best fresh, but you can reheat in the oven or air fryer to crisp them back up.

Check out my latest recipe! One Pan Philly Cheesesteak Skillet

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