Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos Recipe
These Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos combine flavorful seasoned ground chicken with a tangy dill pickle twist and creamy ranch sauce, all served in warm tortillas with crispy cheese lace and fresh cabbage for a crunchy finish. Perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal bursting with bold, zesty flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 small tacos 1x
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Filling
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Toppings and Sauce
- 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
- Squeeze of lemon juice
Instructions
- Season the chicken: In a bowl, combine ground chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper, ensuring the meat is evenly seasoned for balanced flavor.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the seasoned ground chicken. Cook, stirring and breaking up the meat, until it is fully browned and crumbly, about 7-10 minutes.
- Make cheese lace: In a separate dry pan, drop small circles of shredded cheese and cook over medium heat until the cheese melts and turns crispy, forming cheese lace. Remove and let cool.
- Warm the tortillas: Heat the small tortillas either in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds per side or microwave them wrapped in a damp paper towel for 20-30 seconds until warm and pliable.
- Prepare ranch sauce: Blend the cottage cheese with ranch seasoning and a squeeze of lemon juice until smooth to create a tangy creamy ranch sauce.
- Assemble the tacos: On each warm tortilla, layer the cooked ground chicken, a piece of cheese lace, chopped dill pickles, shredded cabbage, and a dollop of the ranch sauce.
- Finish with pickle brine: Drizzle a small amount of pickle brine over the assembled tacos for an extra burst of dill pickle flavor before serving.
Notes
- Use mozzarella or Jack cheese based on preference; both melt well and create crispy cheese lace.
- Warm tortillas improve flexibility and prevent cracking when folded.
- For a spicier twist, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken seasoning.
- Cheese lace can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container.
- Pickle brine drizzle is optional but adds a unique tangy flavor.
Keywords: chicken tacos, dill pickle tacos, ranch chicken tacos, cheesy tacos, quick dinner, ground chicken recipe
