Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos

Put a new spin on #TacoNight with these fully loaded layered up crispy chicken tacos. Chicken Bacon Ranch is a classic flavor profile that people of all ages absolutely love. You can totally turn it into almost any type of meal – burger, pizza, quesadillas, and you got it – TACOS! My recipe for Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos is going to be one that the family will be asking for over and over.

I have included my recipe for hand breaded chicken tenders as well as homemade ranch. If you are pressed for time or just don’t want to take the extra step, you could always use freezer chicken tenders (prepare as directed on package). You can also choose to use your favorite brand of ranch dressing instead of the homemade version I added below the taco recipe.

Should you decide that you are going to make the tenders yourself, you will need a few key pieces of kitchen equipment. You need a wide flat saute pan – like this 12inch Ninja Saute Pan. You will also need a baking sheet with rack to let the chicken rest on after frying. If you are using premade chicken in the oven, you can also use the baking sheet with rack to help the chicken get crispy all the way around.

These tacos are incredibly filling. Most would only need two, maybe three, tacos for a full meal. If you need them to go farther or just want something on the side, you could go a few different directions. You could go with a french fry or tater tot. You could do some chips like cool ranch tortilla chips. There is also always the slightly more healthy route with a green salad.

Now Let’s Get Cookin’!

Print

Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos

Put a new spin on #TacoNight with these fully loaded layered up crispy chicken tacos.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword bacon, cheese, Chicken, chicken tacos, crispy chicken, homemade ranch, ranch dressing, soft tacos, taco, tacos

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Ingredients

• 15 Flour Tortillas fajita sized
• 2 cups Cheddar Cheese shredded
• 2 cups Iceberg Lettuce shredded
• 2 cups Ranch Dressing see recipe below
• 1 cup Crispy Fried Onions
• ½ lb Bacon cut into ½-inch pieces

For the Chicken

• 2 lbs Chicken Tenderloins
• 2 cups Buttermilk
• 4 cups Flour
• 2 tbsp Baking Powder
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Pepper
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
• Cooking Oil to make 1 inch deep in pan

Instructions

• Add chicken tenders and buttermilk in a bowl and let rest (at least 30 minutes, up to 8 hours) in refrigerator.
• In a large saute pan over medium high heat, add bacon and cook until crispy. Remove to paper towel covered plate. Reserve all grease in the pan.
• Add flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, garlic and paprika to a bowl and stir to combine.
• Add enough oil to the bacon grease to be one inch deep. Once hot (around 350degF), begin frying chicken. Remove each piece of chicken from buttermilk and put right into flour mixture. Fully coat with flour and place right into hot oil. Cook for 4 minutes on each side and remove to a baking rack over a paper towel covered baking sheet. Repeat with remaining chicken tenderloins.
• Once all chicken is cooked and slightly cooled, cut each tenderloin into 3-4 pieces (about 1-inch chunks). Start to build the tacos with a sprinkle of lettuce, and cheese. Tops with 4-6 pieces of chicken then drizzle with ranch dressing. Then sprinkle with cooked bacon and crispy fried onions.