Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos Recipe

Introduction

These Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos bring together the savory flavor of seasoned ground chicken with the tangy crunch of dill pickles and a creamy ranch twist. Crispy cheese lace and fresh cabbage add texture, making each bite perfectly balanced and irresistibly delicious.

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
• ½ cup chopped dill pickles
• 2 tablespoons pickle brine
• 1 cup shredded cabbage
• ½ cup cottage cheese blended with 1 teaspoon ranch seasoning and a squeeze of lemon

Instructions

1. Step 1: Season the ground chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
2. Step 2: Cook the chicken in a skillet over medium heat until fully browned and crumbled.
3. Step 3: In a separate pan, sprinkle shredded cheese in small circles and cook until crispy to make cheese lace.
4. Step 4: Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave.
5. Step 5: Mix cottage cheese with ranch seasoning and lemon juice to make the ranch sauce.
6. Step 6: Assemble tacos by layering chicken, cheese lace, chopped pickles, cabbage, and the ranch sauce on each tortilla.
7. Step 7: Drizzle with pickle brine before serving for an extra burst of flavor.

Tips & Variations

• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken seasoning.
• Use pepper jack cheese instead of mozzarella for a bit of heat in the cheese lace.
• Try swapping cottage cheese with Greek yogurt for a smoother ranch sauce.
• Grill the tortillas instead of warming them for a smoky flavor.

Storage

Store any leftover cooked chicken and cheese lace separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep pickles and ranch sauce refrigerated as well. Reheat the chicken gently in a skillet or microwave before assembling fresh tacos. Cheese lace is best enjoyed fresh but can be briefly warmed if needed to restore crispness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?

Yes, ground turkey is a great substitute and will work well with the same seasonings and cooking method.

How can I make these tacos dairy-free?

To make this recipe dairy-free, omit the cheese lace and substitute the ranch sauce with a dairy-free dressing or avocado-based sauce.

Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 66 reviews

These Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos combine seasoned ground chicken with zesty dill pickles, crispy cheese lace, and a creamy ranch-cottage cheese sauce for a flavorful and satisfying meal. Perfectly seasoned and bursting with tangy, savory notes, these tacos are quick to prepare and make for a delicious twist on classic tacos.

• Author: Lily
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 8 small tacos 1x
• Category: Tacos
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Chicken

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Tacos

• 8 small tortillas
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Jack cheese
• ½ cup chopped dill pickles
• 2 tablespoons pickle brine
• 1 cup shredded cabbage

For the Ranch Sauce

• ½ cup cottage cheese
• 1 teaspoon ranch seasoning
• Squeeze of lemon juice

Instructions

1. Season the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the ground chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper, mixing well to evenly distribute the spices.
2. Cook the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the seasoned ground chicken until it is fully browned and crumbled, ensuring there is no pink left and the meat is cooked through.
3. Make Cheese Lace: In a separate non-stick pan, sprinkle small circles of shredded mozzarella or Jack cheese and cook over medium heat until the cheese crisps up and forms lacy, crispy rounds. Remove and set aside to cool.
4. Warm the Tortillas: Warm the tortillas either in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 20-30 seconds per side or microwave them wrapped in a damp paper towel for about 20 seconds to make them pliable.
5. Prepare Ranch Sauce: Blend the cottage cheese with ranch seasoning and a squeeze of lemon juice until smooth and creamy, creating a tangy ranch sauce to complement the tacos.
6. Assemble the Tacos: On each warmed tortilla, layer the cooked ground chicken, a piece of crispy cheese lace, chopped dill pickles, and shredded cabbage. Drizzle the ranch sauce on top to taste.
7. Finish with Pickle Brine: Before serving, drizzle each taco lightly with pickle brine to add an extra tangy kick that enhances all the flavors.

Notes

• You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey for a leaner option.
• If you prefer, feel free to use store-bought ranch dressing instead of making the cottage cheese ranch sauce.
• For extra crunch, add sliced radishes or jalapeños.
• Cheese lace can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for a day to save time.
• Warm tortillas gently to avoid drying or cracking.

Keywords: dill pickle tacos, chicken tacos, ranch chicken tacos, cheese lace tacos, quick chicken tacos, tangy chicken tacos