Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos Recipe
These Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos are a flavorful twist on classic tacos featuring seasoned ground chicken, crispy cheese lace, tangy dill pickles, crunchy cabbage, and a creamy homemade ranch cottage cheese sauce, all drizzled with zesty pickle brine for an irresistible combination of textures and flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 tacos 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Seasoning
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Toppings & Fillings
- 8 small tortillas
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped dill pickles
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1 teaspoon ranch seasoning
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (fresh squeezed)
- 2 tablespoons pickle brine
Instructions
- Season the chicken: In a bowl, combine the ground chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the seasoned chicken. Cook until fully browned and crumbled, stirring occasionally to break up the meat, ensuring it is cooked thoroughly and no pink remains, about 8-10 minutes.
- Make the cheese lace: In a separate pan, sprinkle small circles of shredded mozzarella or Jack cheese. Cook over medium heat until the cheese melts and becomes crispy, forming delicate cheese lace rounds. Remove carefully and set aside to cool and firm up.
- Warm the tortillas: Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side or microwave for about 15-20 seconds until soft and pliable.
- Prepare the ranch sauce: Blend the cottage cheese with ranch seasoning and a squeeze of lemon juice until smooth and creamy, adjusting for the desired consistency.
- Assemble the tacos: Layer the cooked seasoned chicken inside the warmed tortillas. Top with cheese lace, chopped dill pickles, shredded cabbage, and a generous dollop of the ranch cottage cheese sauce.
- Finish with pickle brine: Drizzle 2 tablespoons of pickle brine over the assembled tacos just before serving for an extra tangy punch.
Notes
- Use either mozzarella or Jack cheese based on preference; both melt well and create crispy cheese lace.
- For a spicier taco, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the chicken seasoning.
- Warming tortillas ensures they’re flexible and won’t tear when folding.
- Cottage cheese blending makes a creamy but lower-fat alternative to traditional ranch dressing.
- Cheese lace can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for a day.
- Drizzle pickle brine just before serving to keep tortillas from getting soggy.
Keywords: ground chicken tacos, dill pickle tacos, ranch chicken tacos, cheese lace, cottage cheese ranch sauce, quick dinner, easy tacos, skillet chicken
