Chicken Parm Smashed Tacos
If you’re craving comfort food with a creative twist, these Chicken Parm Smashed Tacos are about to become your new obsession. Combining the crispy, cheesy goodness of classic chicken Parmesan with the handheld ease of a taco, this recipe delivers big flavor in every bite. Imagine golden, pan-smashed ground chicken smashed on toasted tortillas, topped with zesty marinara, gooey mozzarella, and a sprinkle of fresh basil and arugula —it’s an irresistible fusion of Italian and Mexican favorites that’s perfect for weeknight dinners, game days, or anytime you want to impress with something a little different.
Why you’ll love these chicken parm smash tacos
- Flavor Fusion: They blend the best of Italian and Mexican cuisines— flavored ground chicken, tangy marinara, and gooey cheese all wrapped in a warm tortilla.
- Easy & Fun to Make: The smash technique gives a crispy, golden crust with minimal effort, making them perfect for weeknight cooking or entertaining.
- Customizable & Crowd-Pleasing: Add your favorite toppings like fresh basil, chili flakes, or garlic aioli—there’s a version for everyone to enjoy.
Here’s what you’ll need to make it
- Bowl
- Frying Pan
- Spatula
- Kitchen torch optional
- Measuring Cups and Spoons or you can measure with your heart
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Ingredients & substitutions
- Ground chicken
- Italian Style Bread Crumbs
- Parmesan cheese shredded
- Flour tortillas fajita size
- Rao’s marinara
- Fresh Burrata or Fresh Mozzarella
- Bunch of fresh basil optional
- Arugula
How to make these smash tacos
Step 1. To a bowl, add the ground chicken, bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Mix with hands until well combined. Divide chicken mixture into 6 equal parts. Set aside.
Step 2. Take one part of the chicken mixture and smash it on each tortilla. Make sure it’s flat, even and all the way to the edge of the tortilla. Do this with each tortilla and chicken mixture part.
Step 3. To a pan over medium heat, lay the tortilla on the pan, chicken side up to start. When the chicken begins to look white against the tortilla, flip over, and let the chicken cook the rest of the way. Do this with each tortilla.
Step 4. Once the tortillas and chicken are fully cooked, top with a spoonful of your favorite marinara sauce, then with a slice of mozzarella or burrata cheese. Use a torch and crisp up the cheese. If you don’t have a torch, you can put it in the microwave for a few seconds to melt the cheese slightly. Do this with each tortilla.
Step 5. Top with fresh arugula, and chopped basil and enjoy!
FAQs about smashed tacos
Smash tacos involve pressing seasoned meat or chicken directly onto a hot tortilla in a skillet or griddle, creating a crispy crust and fusing the filling to the shell.
Ground beef, shredded chicken, or thin chicken cutlets (like in chicken parm smashed tacos) all work well—just make sure they’re cooked thin and crispy.
Smash tacos are best enjoyed fresh, but you can prep the components in advance and quickly cook them when ready to serve.
More smash taco recipes
Chicken Parm Smashed Tacos
Equipment
- 1 Bowl
- 1 Frying Pan
- 1 Spatula
- 1 kitchen torch optional
- Measuring Cups and Spoons or you can measure with your heart
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup Italian Style Bread Crumbs
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
- 6 Flour tortillas fajita size
- 1 cup Rao’s marinara
- 8 oz Fresh Burrata or Fresh Mozzarella
- Bunch of fresh basil optional
- Arugula
Instructions
- To a bowl, add the ground chicken, bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Mix with hands until well combined. Divide chicken mixture into 6 equal parts. Set aside.
- Take one part of the chicken mixture and smash it on each tortilla. Make sure it’s flat, even and all the way to the edge of the tortilla. Do this with each tortilla and chicken mixture part.
- To a pan over medium heat, lay the tortilla on the pan, chicken side up to start. When the chicken begins to look white against the tortilla, flip over, and let the chicken cook the rest of the way. Do this with each tortilla.
- Once the tortillas and chicken are fully cooked, top with a spoonful of your favorite marinara sauce, then with a slice of mozzarella or burrata cheese. Use a torch and crisp up the cheese. If you don’t have a torch, you can put it in the microwave for a few seconds to melt the cheese slightly. Do this with each tortilla.
- Top with fresh arugula, and chopped basil and enjoy!
