Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos Recipe
Introduction
These Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos bring a fun and flavorful twist to your taco night. Ground chicken seasoned with garlic and paprika pairs perfectly with tangy dill pickles, crispy cheese lace, and a creamy ranch sauce for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 8 small tortillas
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped dill pickles
- 2 tablespoons pickle brine
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1 teaspoon ranch seasoning
- A squeeze of lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Season the ground chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Step 2: Cook the chicken in a skillet over medium heat until fully browned and crumbled.
- Step 3: In a separate pan, sprinkle shredded cheese in small circles and cook until crispy to make cheese lace.
- Step 4: Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until soft and pliable.
- Step 5: Mix the cottage cheese with ranch seasoning and a squeeze of lemon juice to create the ranch sauce.
- Step 6: Assemble the tacos by layering the cooked chicken, cheese lace, chopped dill pickles, shredded cabbage, and ranch sauce on each tortilla.
- Step 7: Drizzle each taco with pickle brine just before serving for an extra tangy kick.
Tips & Variations
- Substitute the shredded mozzarella or Jack cheese with cheddar or pepper jack for a different flavor.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of cottage cheese for a smoother ranch sauce.
- For extra crunch, add some sliced radishes or jalapeños to the tacos.
- Make the cheese lace in advance and store in an airtight container for quick assembly later.
Storage
Store any leftover cooked chicken and ranch sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cheese lace is best eaten fresh but can be kept crisp in a sealed container for a day. To reheat the chicken, warm it gently in a skillet or microwave. Assemble tacos fresh before serving to keep tortillas from becoming soggy.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other types of meat for these tacos?
Yes, ground turkey, beef, or even shredded rotisserie chicken can be used. Adjust seasoning and cooking time accordingly.
How do I make the cheese lace crispy without burning it?
Cook the shredded cheese over medium heat in small circles without moving them until the edges turn golden brown and crispy, then carefully flip if desired or remove when bottom is golden.
PrintDill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos Recipe
These Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos are a flavorful twist on traditional chicken tacos, combining seasoned ground chicken with crispy cheese lace, tangy dill pickles, crunchy cabbage, and a creamy ranch cottage cheese sauce. Perfect for a quick and delicious meal that bursts with unique flavors and textures.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 small tacos 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Chicken Mixture
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Toppings & Assembly
- 8 small tortillas
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped dill pickles
- 2 tablespoons pickle brine
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
Ranch Sauce
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1 teaspoon ranch seasoning
- Squeeze of lemon juice
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the ground chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure the spices evenly coat the meat.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the seasoned ground chicken until fully browned and crumbled, about 7-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to break up large chunks.
- Make Cheese Lace: In a separate non-stick pan, sprinkle small circles of shredded mozzarella or Jack cheese. Cook over medium heat until the cheese melts and turns crispy and golden, forming cheese lace. Remove carefully and set aside.
- Warm the Tortillas: Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet over low-medium heat for about 30 seconds each side or microwave them wrapped in a damp paper towel for 20-30 seconds until soft and pliable.
- Prepare the Ranch Sauce: In a small bowl, blend together the cottage cheese, ranch seasoning, and a squeeze of lemon juice until smooth and creamy, adjusting lemon juice to taste.
- Assemble the Tacos: Place warm tortillas on a plate. Add a layer of cooked ground chicken, then top with cheese lace, chopped dill pickles, shredded cabbage, and dollops of the ranch cottage cheese sauce.
- Finish with Pickle Brine: Drizzle the tacos with pickle brine for an extra tangy kick right before serving. Enjoy immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use either mozzarella or Jack cheese depending on your preference for mild or slightly sharper flavor.
- Cheese lace can be made in advance and stored briefly, but it’s best served crispy fresh.
- Adjust ranch seasoning and lemon juice to balance creaminess and tanginess in the sauce.
- Substitute ground turkey or lean beef if preferred.
- To make this recipe gluten free, use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas.
Keywords: Dill pickle tacos, chicken tacos, ranch chicken tacos, cheese lace, quick taco recipe, ground chicken tacos
