Buffalo Chicken Sheet Pan Tacos

Backstory of this dish

I’ve never considered myself a very good cook but I’ve always been drawn to food so my one challenge going into my senior year of college was to try to cook a meal a week based off of a recipe I found on social media. 

Food content is everywhere, and it makes up most of my TikTok “For You” page. I always find that these meals are easy to make because I am able to see them making it in the video.

“A lot of Tiktok creators who are in college make a lot of budget friendly meals, healthy meals, just like, basic college meals that are just super easy to make,” said Sofia Yaker, a junior majoring in journalism from Long Island, New York. “It's easy, because they usually give the recipe in the comments, and then you see them making it.”

One day, I came across a video posted by @britacooks featuring buffalo sheet pan tacos. The video has more than 5.3 million views and 200,000 likes, making it one of her most popular recipes. Britacooks’ page features a variety of recipes, and she also has a website with detailed instructions.

After discovering this recipe, I noticed it included several of my favorite ingredients, so I sent it to Yaker and told her we needed to make it. From that moment, our journey of learning how to cook began.

The Dish

This dish is a perfect combination of zesty and creamy thanks to the bold flavors from the buffalo sauce paired with the creaminess of the buttermilk ranch. The peppers add subtle sweetness, which helps balance the heat. The melted cheese on top of and inside the tortillas ties everything together with a savory and rich addition. The tortillas become crispy in the oven, which gives a satisfying crunch to the meal. 

“I thought the balance between the buffalo sauce and the buttermilk ranch that we use was just really good, and everything combined really nicely,” said Yaker. 

Overall, the tacos are a bit spicy without being too overwhelming. The tangy buffalo sauce is balanced by the ranch, making this dish a perfect one to satisfy a savory craving.

Things to be cautious of and recommendations. 

One challenge we encountered was that the tortillas split when folded. To prevent this, the tortillas should be slightly heated so they are more malleable. Even with some broken tortillas the dish still turned out fine.

Another issue was that the video didn't always specify exact timing or measurements. TikTok recipes often prioritize aesthetics over detailed instructions, so it’s important to be weary over this.

Customize it to be your own

The best part about this recipe is that it allows for personal touches. For this recipe we changed the type of ranch, cheese and buffalo sauce we use. The creator recommended making homemade buttermilk ranch, but we bought one from the store. In the video, she used Monterey Jack cheese but we used Mexican cheese instead. For the buffalo sauce, I chose my favorite, Sweet Baby Ray’s. 

No matter what variation of ingredients you choose, this dish will still taste delicious. It’s fun to know that you can add your own twist without ruining the final product.

Final thoughts on the dish

This recipe was one that I will definitely make again, as it was so easy and affordable. The flavors of this dish were unlike anything, and I’m still shocked that I was the one who made it because it tasted like something you would get at a restaurant. 

“I definitely want to make this again. It was definitely one of my favorite meals, so easy to make, and even after we made it, so many other people said that they wanted to try it too. So I'll definitely be making it for myself and for other people,” said Yaker. 

I am looking forward to trying out new recipes and sharing them with those around me. After making this dish, so many people were asking me to make it for them. Seeing all of this showed me that I can cook very well. I just may need a recipe to get me started.

Ingredients needed 

• Two chicken breast, diced 

• 1 tablespoon garlic powder 

• 1 tablespoon onion powder 

• Salt and pepper 

• Chopped red and yellow bell peppers

• ½ cup of buffalo sauce 

• 2 tablespoons butter 

• ½ pound shredded Mexican cheese 

• 6 small corn tortillas 

• Chopped green onions to garnish 

• Buttermilk ranch 

Directions 

Step 1

In a medium skillet, add cubed chicken breast and cook over medium-high heat until lightly browned. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Once the chicken begins to cook through, stir in chopped bell peppers. Continue to sauté until the chicken is cooked through and the peppers start to soften. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Step 2

Warm buffalo sauce in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Pour the sauce into the skillet with the chicken and peppers, stirring until everything is coated in the spicy, tangy mixture.

Step 3

On a baking sheet, place six small corn tortillas. Lightly drizzle both sides with olive oil. Spoon the buffalo chicken mixture onto one side of each tortilla, then sprinkle with shredded Mexican cheese. Fold tortillas firmly into half-moon shapes and add a little extra cheese on top for a golden, bubbly crust.

Step 4

Bake the tacos at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes, or until the tortillas are crisp and the cheese on top melts and starts to bubble slightly.

Step 5

While the tacos bake, chop green onions for garnish and set out buttermilk ranch for drizzling.

Step 6

Remove the tacos from the oven. The cheese should be bubbly. That's your cue that they’re ready. Let them cool for a minute before adding toppings.

Step 7

Drizzle with buttermilk ranch, sprinkle with fresh green onions and serve warm. These tacos are crunchy, cheesy, spicy and creamy all at once. This is a perfect meal for a quick weeknight dinner or game-day.