Chipotle Southern Fried Chicken Tacos with Bacon Cream Gravy
Elevate your taco night with a Southern twist! These Chipotle Southern Fried Chicken Tacos combine the crispy crunch of perfectly fried chicken tenders marinated in zesty buttermilk and chipotle, with creamy mashed potatoes and indulgent bacon gravy. Topped with a vibrant roasted corn salsa comprising grilled corn, fresh avocado, and cherry tomatoes, this fusion dish will surely become your family's comfort food favorite. Serve these hearty tacos at your next gathering and watch everyone come back for seconds!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
chicken tenders
8 ounces (about 8 tenders)
buttermilk
1 cup (for marinating)
kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon (for marinade and seasoning)
chipotle chile in adobo
1 tablespoon (for marinade)
flour
1 cup (for coating chicken and gravy)
taco seasoning
2 teaspoons (for seasoning flour)
canola oil
1 cup (for frying chicken)
bacon
5 pieces (for gravy)
bacon grease
1 tablespoon (for gravy)
whole milk
1 1/2 cups (for gravy)
cracked black pepper
1/8 teaspoon (for gravy)
cooking spray
1 (5 ounce) can (for grilling corn)
ear of corn
1 (grilled and kernels removed)
cherry tomatoes
1 cup (seeds removed and chopped small)
avocado
1 cup (peeled, seeded, and chopped small)
cilantro
1 tablespoon (chopped)
Simply Potatoes Traditional Mashed Potatoes
24 ounces (prepared according to package instructions)
white corn tortillas
8 (6 inch) (for tacos)
canola oil
3 tablespoons (for warming tortillas)
Instructions
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Chipotle Southern Fried Chicken Tacos?
They are a fusion dish combining crispy chipotle-marinated fried chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, and rich bacon gravy served in white corn tortillas.
What ingredients are in the chicken marinade?
The chicken is marinated in a mixture of buttermilk, kosher salt, and chipotle chile in adobo.
How is the chicken breaded?
The chicken is coated in a seasoned flour mixture containing one cup of flour and two teaspoons of taco seasoning.
What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for eight ounces of chicken tenders, which is approximately eight individual tenders.
What is the base of the bacon cream gravy?
The gravy is made from five pieces of bacon, bacon grease, flour, whole milk, and cracked black pepper.
How do I prepare the corn for the salsa?
Spray an ear of corn with cooking spray, grill it, and then remove the kernels for the salsa.
What vegetables are in the roasted corn salsa?
The salsa includes grilled corn kernels, chopped cherry tomatoes, chopped avocado, and fresh cilantro.
Are there mashed potatoes in these tacos?
Yes, Simply Potatoes Traditional Mashed Potatoes are used as a base layer inside the tacos.
What kind of tortillas should I use?
The recipe uses eight 6-inch white corn tortillas.
How are the tortillas prepared?
The tortillas are warmed in three tablespoons of canola oil before assembly.
Is this recipe spicy?
The heat comes from the chipotle chile in adobo used in the chicken marinade, which provides a smoky spice.
What oil is recommended for frying the chicken?
One cup of canola oil is used for frying the chicken tenders.
How should the cherry tomatoes be prepared for the salsa?
The seeds should be removed and the tomatoes should be chopped into small pieces.
What type of milk is used for the gravy?
The recipe specifies using 1 1/2 cups of whole milk for the bacon cream gravy.
Is there a specific brand of potatoes recommended?
Yes, the recipe specifically mentions Simply Potatoes Traditional Mashed Potatoes.
What is the purpose of the buttermilk?
Buttermilk acts as a tenderizer for the chicken and helps the flour coating stick during frying.
How much taco seasoning is needed?
Two teaspoons of taco seasoning are added to the flour for the chicken coating.
Can I substitute the bacon grease?
While bacon grease provides traditional Southern flavor, you could use butter if necessary, though the flavor profile will change.
How many pieces of bacon are needed for the gravy?
You will need five pieces of bacon for the gravy.
What seasoning is used in the gravy?
The gravy is seasoned with cracked black pepper and the natural saltiness from the bacon.
How do I prep the avocado for the salsa?
Peel, seed, and chop the avocado into small pieces, totaling about one cup.
What makes this a Southern-style taco?
The combination of fried chicken, buttermilk marinade, and cream gravy are classic Southern staples.
How much cilantro is in the recipe?
The recipe uses one tablespoon of chopped cilantro for the salsa.
Is the corn salsa served cold or hot?
The corn is grilled, but the salsa is typically served at room temperature or slightly chilled as a vibrant topping.
What is the texture of the finished taco?
It offers a mix of textures including the crunch of fried chicken, the creaminess of potatoes, and the freshness of the salsa.
How many tacos does this recipe make?
This recipe makes eight tacos using 6-inch tortillas.
What type of salt is recommended?
Kosher salt is recommended for both the marinade and general seasoning.
Does the recipe include instructions for making mashed potatoes from scratch?
No, it recommends using pre-prepared Simply Potatoes Traditional Mashed Potatoes for convenience.
What is the main flavor of the chicken coating?
The coating is a savory blend of flour and taco seasoning.
Why are the tomato seeds removed?
Removing the seeds prevents the corn salsa from becoming too watery or soggy.