Unlock the secret to effortless weeknight dinners with this incredible “two-for-one” recipe! Prepare a delicious Chicken Taco Pizza with a unique secret sauce, and then effortlessly transform the leftovers into mouth-watering Chicken Tacos for a second meal. This strategy is a game-changer for anyone looking to simplify meal planning and enjoy flavorful dishes without the extra hassle.

Smart Meal Prep: Two Meals from One Effort – Chicken Taco Pizza & Tacos

Mastering Meal Prep: Two Delicious Meals from a Single Preparation

Are you one of those people who *wants* to be a meal-planning pro, but the reality of busy schedules always seems to get in the way? You’re not alone! The struggle for efficient, delicious, and easy meal prep is incredibly real. That’s why we’re sharing a brilliant strategy today: getting two fantastic meals out of a single cooking session. Imagine, one trip to the grocery store, one dedicated prep time in the kitchen, and you’re set for two incredible meals!

Our secret to becoming meal-prep superstars involves smart ingredient choices and efficient organization. We’ll guide you through creating a savory Chicken Taco Pizza first. Then, with just a simple swap of the base – from pizza crust to soft flour tortillas – you’ll have all the fixings for delectable Chicken Soft Tacos. Plus, any remaining ingredients can be easily stored in airtight containers, ready to be packed for work or school lunches the very next day. This method not only saves time but also reduces food waste, making your kitchen routine smoother and more sustainable. Get ready to revolutionize your weeknight dinners!

The Unforgettable Secret Sauce

Every great dish has a special element, and for this chicken taco pizza and tacos, it’s all about the secret sauce. Many who have tried it say it tastes remarkably similar to the famous sauce found at Del Taco’s. While I can’t personally confirm that comparison, what I can tell you is that this creamy, tangy sauce elevates both the pizza and the tacos to an extraordinary level. It’s truly a flavor revelation that complements the rich chicken and zesty taco toppings perfectly.

If you’re in a pinch, a good quality ranch dressing could serve as a decent substitute. However, I wholeheartedly encourage you to give this homemade secret sauce a try at least once. Its unique blend of flavors is what ties both these meals together, adding a vibrant and irresistible finish that will have everyone asking for more. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

Gather Your Ingredients: Your Shopping List for Two Meals

This comprehensive list provides all the ingredients you’ll need for both the Chicken Taco Pizza and the Chicken Soft Tacos. Preparing these items beforehand ensures a smooth and efficient cooking experience.

• Refrigerated pizza crust (one standard size)
• Large can of refried beans (approximately 31 ounces), for divided use
• Jar of taco sauce (approximately 8 ounces)
• Rotisserie chicken, pre-cooked and chopped (we recommend two family-sized chickens to yield about 4 cups of chopped meat for both meals)
• Mexican cheese blend, shredded (about 4 cups), for divided use
• Fresh tomatoes, diced (about 2 cups), for divided use
• Shredded lettuce (about 2 cups), for taco topping
• Soft taco shells or tortillas (for the second meal)

For the Del Taco Secret Sauce:

• Mayonnaise (½ cup)
• Milk (2-3 tablespoons, adjust for desired consistency)
• Lime juice (2 teaspoons, freshly squeezed or bottled)
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (2 tablespoons)

Cook’s Notes: To ensure you have ample chicken for both meals, purchasing two family-sized rotisserie chickens is highly recommended. This saves significant time and effort compared to cooking chicken from scratch. Also, remember to add soft taco shells to your grocery list for the second meal, as they are essential for the taco night!

Crafting Your Irresistible Chicken Taco Pizza

Let’s dive into the first part of our culinary journey: creating the ultimate Chicken Taco Pizza. This recipe is designed for ease and maximum flavor, making it a perfect weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing dish for gatherings.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures your pizza crust bakes evenly and perfectly.
2. Prepare the Pizza Dough: Carefully unroll the refrigerated pizza dough onto a lightly greased small cookie sheet or pizza pan. Allow the dough to rest at room temperature for about 5 minutes; this helps it become more pliable and easier to work with.
3. Make the Secret Sauce: While the dough rests, prepare your secret sauce. In a small bowl or an airtight container, whisk together the mayonnaise, milk, lime juice, and chopped cilantro until smooth and well combined. Once mixed, cover the container and place it in the refrigerator to keep it fresh until you’re ready to drizzle it over your finished pizza and tacos.







4. Pre-bake the Crust: Press the pizza dough gently over the bottom and slightly up the sides of your cookie sheet, forming a raised edge. Bake the dough for 8-10 minutes, or until it’s lightly golden and slightly firm. This pre-baking step ensures a crispy crust that won’t get soggy under the toppings. Remove it from the oven once done.



5. Prepare the Chicken Mixture: In a large mixing bowl or an airtight food storage container, combine the chopped rotisserie chicken with the taco sauce. Toss gently to ensure the chicken is thoroughly coated. Set aside half of this mixture for your pizza and reserve the other half for the chicken tacos.



6. Warm the Refried Beans: Place half of the refried beans into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave for 1 minute, then stir well to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency. Evenly spread these warm beans over the pre-baked pizza crust.



7. Add Chicken and Toppings: Next, carefully spread half of the prepared chicken mixture over the layer of refried beans. Sprinkle generously with about 2 cups of the shredded Mexican cheese blend. Finally, scatter half of the diced tomatoes and chopped cilantro (adjust cilantro to your taste preference) over the cheese.





8. Final Bake: Return the pizza to the preheated oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly. The crust should be golden, and the toppings heated through.



9. Drizzle with Secret Sauce: Once removed from the oven, generously drizzle your homemade secret sauce over the hot pizza. Slice and serve immediately.



10. Store Leftovers: Any leftover pizza can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, or frozen for up to 3 months for future enjoyment.

Setting Up for the Second Meal: Delicious Chicken Tacos

Now for the brilliant part of this meal prep strategy! Once your Chicken Taco Pizza is baked and enjoyed, it’s time to prepare the components for your second meal – the delightful Chicken Soft Tacos. The goal is to set yourself up for a quick and easy taco night on another day.

Prepping for Taco Success:

1. Organize Remaining Ingredients: At this point, you should have half of your cooked, taco-seasoned chicken mixture, half of the refried beans, and remaining shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, and shredded lettuce. Portion these remaining ingredients into separate airtight containers. This organized approach is key to hassle-free meal prep.



2. Refrigerate for Later: Pop all the covered containers, including the remaining secret sauce, into the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 2-3 days, ready for your next meal.
3. Taco Night Assembly: On the evening you plan to enjoy the chicken tacos, simply remove all your prepped ingredients from the fridge. Reheat the refried beans and the shredded chicken mixture in microwave-safe containers or in separate pans on the stovetop until thoroughly warmed.



4. Serve and Enjoy: Arrange all the warmed ingredients and fresh toppings (shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and of course, the secret sauce!) buffet-style on your counter or dining table. Let everyone assemble their own delicious chicken tacos with secret sauce, customizing them to their liking. These tacos pair wonderfully with a side of Mexican rice or a simple green salad for a complete and satisfying meal. This “assembly line” approach not only makes dinner fun but also ensures everyone gets exactly what they want.

Expand Your Culinary Horizons: More Delicious Recipes!

If you loved the convenience and flavor of our Chicken Taco Pizza and Tacos, you’re in for a treat! We have an array of other mouth-watering recipes that are perfect for any occasion, from quick breakfasts to comforting dinners. Explore these fan favorites and find your next go-to meal:

• Easy Breakfast Pizza: Start your day with a cheesy, savory twist!
• Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas: A comforting classic with a rich, velvety sauce.
• Crispy Chicken Chimichangas: Deep-fried deliciousness, perfect for a Tex-Mex craving.
• Easy Apple Dessert Pizza: A sweet and fruity treat for any time of day.
• Hearty Pizza Pasta Bake: All the flavors of pizza combined with comforting pasta.
• Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pizza: A sophisticated pizza choice bursting with flavor.
• Copycat Blaze White Top Pizza: Recreate your favorite pizzeria experience at home.
• White Chicken Enchiladas For Two: Perfect for a cozy dinner date night.
• Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos: Effortless and tender chicken for your next taco feast.
• Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas: Flavorful and easy fajitas made simple in your slow cooker.

Chicken Taco Pizza (with Secret Sauce)

Get two incredible meals from one simple preparation! This recipe features an amazing Chicken Taco Pizza with a special secret sauce, and provides all the ingredients and method for a second meal of delicious Chicken Tacos. Perfect for efficient meal planning!

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Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yields: 6 servings
Author: Brandie Skibinski

Ingredients

• 13.8 ounce refrigerated pizza crust
• 31 ounce can refried beans (large can), divided use
• 8 ounce jar taco sauce
• 4 cups chopped deli rotisserie chicken (from 2 family-sized chickens), divided use
• 4 cups Mexican cheese blend, shredded, divided use
• 2 cups diced tomatoes, divided use
• 2 cups shredded lettuce
• Soft tortillas (for the second meal)

For the Del Taco Secret Sauce:

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2-3 tablespoons milk
• 2 teaspoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare the secret sauce: Whisk all sauce ingredients (mayonnaise, milk, lime juice, cilantro) in a small bowl or airtight container. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
3. Unroll pizza dough onto an ungreased small cookie sheet or pizza pan. Let it sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. Press the dough over the bottom and up the sides of the sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from oven.
4. In a separate bowl, toss the chopped rotisserie chicken with the taco sauce. Set aside half of this mixture for your Chicken Tacos.
5. Place half of the refried beans into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, then stir well. Spread the warm beans evenly over the pre-baked pizza crust.
6. Top the beans with the reserved half of the chicken mixture.
7. Sprinkle with 2 cups of shredded Mexican cheese blend, then add half of the diced tomatoes and chopped cilantro (to taste).
8. Return the pizza to the oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Drizzle the baked pizza generously with the chilled secret sauce. Slice and serve immediately.
10. Cook’s Notes for Tacos: Use the remaining chicken mixture, refried beans, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, and shredded lettuce to prepare Chicken Tacos. Simply reheat the chicken and beans, warm your soft tortillas, and set out all toppings along with the secret sauce for an easy assembly meal.
11. Store any leftover pizza or prepped taco ingredients in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Nutrition Disclaimer

Please note that “The Country Cook” is not a certified dietician or nutritionist. Any nutritional information provided, such as calorie count, carbohydrates, protein, fat, sodium, fiber, and sugar, is an estimate. If precise nutritional values are crucial for your dietary needs, we recommend using an online nutritional calculator with the specific brands and quantities of ingredients you use. Actual values can vary significantly based on product brands and preparation methods.

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