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

Scale

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