Description

These Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos combine tender seasoned ground chicken with tangy dill pickles, crunchy cabbage, and a creamy cottage cheese ranch topping. Melted crispy cheese lace adds an irresistible crunch, making these tacos a perfect blend of savory, tangy, and fresh flavors for a quick and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

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
1/2 cup chopped dill pickles
2 tablespoons pickle brine
1 cup shredded cabbage
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1 teaspoon ranch seasoning
1 squeeze of lemon (juice)

Instructions

Season the Chicken: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
Cook the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the seasoned ground chicken. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked through and no longer pink, about 7 to 10 minutes.
Warm the Tortillas: In a separate pan or skillet, gently heat the tortillas over medium heat until warm and pliable, about 30 seconds per side.
Make the Crispy Cheese Lace: Using a non-stick skillet, melt the shredded mozzarella or Jack cheese over medium heat in small rounds or a single layer, allowing it to cook until it becomes golden and crispy, forming a cheese lace. Remove carefully and set aside.
Prepare the Cottage Cheese Ranch Topping: Blend the cottage cheese with the ranch seasoning and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice until smooth and creamy.
Assemble the Tacos: Lay the warmed tortillas flat, then add a generous portion of cooked chicken, followed by chopped dill pickles and shredded cabbage. Top each taco with a spoonful of the cottage cheese ranch mixture.
Finish with Pickle Brine and Cheese Lace: Drizzle each taco with pickle brine for an extra tangy kick and place a piece of crispy cheese lace on top or to the side for added texture and flavor. Serve immediately.

Notes

Use turkey or lean ground beef as an alternative to chicken if desired.
For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken seasoning.
The cheese lace can be shaped into small rounds for easy taco topping or crispy chips on the side.
If ranch seasoning is unavailable, use a mix of dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried parsley instead.
Warm the tortillas just before assembly to keep them soft and easy to fold.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: chicken tacos, dill pickle tacos, ranch chicken tacos, cheese lace, ground chicken recipe, quick tacos, crispy cheese topping