Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos Recipe
Introduction
Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos bring a fun twist to traditional tacos with tangy dill pickles and a creamy ranch-flavored sauce. This easy recipe combines juicy ground chicken, crispy cheese, and fresh cabbage for a delightful handheld meal perfect for weeknights.
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.
- Step 5: Mix the cottage cheese with ranch seasoning and a squeeze of lemon juice to make the ranch sauce.
- Step 6: Assemble the tacos by layering cooked chicken, cheese lace, chopped dill pickles, shredded cabbage, and ranch sauce on each tortilla.
- Step 7: Drizzle each taco with pickle brine before serving for an extra tangy kick.
Tips & Variations
- For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken seasoning.
- Substitute ground turkey or beef if you prefer a different protein.
- Try adding fresh herbs like chopped cilantro or dill to enhance the flavors.
- Use vegan cheese and plant-based ground meat for a vegetarian option.
Storage
Store any leftover cooked chicken, cheese lace, and toppings separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Tortillas are best kept separately to avoid sogginess. Reheat the chicken and cheese gently in a skillet before assembling fresh tacos. Avoid storing fully assembled tacos as the tortillas may become soggy.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular pickles instead of dill pickles?
Yes, but dill pickles provide a characteristic tangy flavor that complements the ranch sauce well. Sweet or bread-and-butter pickles will change the flavor profile, but can still be used if preferred.
What can I substitute if I don’t have ranch seasoning?
You can use a mix of dried herbs like parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt to approximate ranch seasoning. Alternatively, store-bought ranch dressing can be mixed into the cottage cheese for convenience.
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Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 tacos 1x
Description
These Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos are a flavorful and fun twist on classic chicken tacos. Featuring seasoned ground chicken cooked to perfection, crisp cheese lace, tangy dill pickles, crunchy cabbage, and a creamy ranch-flavored cottage cheese sauce, these tacos deliver a delightful combination of textures and flavors. A drizzle of pickle brine adds a zesty finish to this quick and easy skillet-cooked meal perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Chicken Filling
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Toppings and 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
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (a squeeze of lemon)
Instructions
- Season the chicken: In a bowl, combine ground chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper, ensuring the seasoning is evenly distributed.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the seasoned ground chicken, breaking it up with a spatula, until fully browned and crumbly, about 7-10 minutes.
- Make cheese lace: In a separate non-stick pan, sprinkle small circles of shredded mozzarella or Jack cheese and cook over medium heat until crispy and golden, forming cheese lace. Remove and set aside.
- Warm the tortillas: Heat the tortillas in a dry skillet for about 30 seconds per side or microwave them wrapped in a damp paper towel for 20-30 seconds until soft and warm.
- Prepare ranch sauce: In a blender or food processor, blend cottage cheese with ranch seasoning and lemon juice until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the tacos: Layer each warmed tortilla with a portion of cooked ground chicken, a piece of crispy cheese lace, chopped dill pickles, shredded cabbage, and a generous spoonful of the ranch sauce.
- Finish and serve: Drizzle each taco with pickle brine to add a tangy kick and serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the chicken seasoning.
- Cheese lace can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for a day but is best fresh for crispiness.
- Tortillas can be substituted with corn or gluten-free options if preferred.
- Use full-fat cottage cheese for creamier ranch sauce or a low-fat version for fewer calories.
- Pickle brine addition can be adjusted to taste depending on preferred tanginess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chicken tacos, dill pickle, ranch sauce, cheese lace, ground chicken recipe, quick tacos, easy dinner, skillet cooking
