Description

These Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos combine flavorful, seasoned ground chicken with crispy cheese lace and tangy dill pickle accents. A creamy ranch sauce made from cottage cheese adds a refreshing twist, while shredded cabbage provides a satisfying crunch. Perfect for a quick, delicious weeknight meal with a unique pickle-inspired flair.

Ingredients

Scale

Main 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

Ranch Sauce

1/2 cup cottage cheese
1 teaspoon ranch seasoning
1 squeeze of lemon juice

Instructions

Season the chicken: In a bowl, combine the ground chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until evenly seasoned.
Cook the chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the seasoned ground chicken until it is fully browned and crumbled, about 6-8 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Prepare cheese lace: In a separate non-stick pan, sprinkle small circles of shredded cheese and cook over medium heat until the cheese is melted and crispy, forming cheese lace. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Warm 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 seconds until warm and pliable.
Make ranch sauce: Blend the cottage cheese with ranch seasoning and a squeeze of lemon juice until smooth and creamy.
Assemble tacos: Place warm tortillas on plates and layer each with cooked chicken, cheese lace, chopped dill pickles, shredded cabbage, and a generous dollop of ranch sauce.
Finish with pickle brine: Drizzle each assembled taco with pickle brine to add tangy flavor before serving.

Notes

Use mozzarella or Jack cheese based on your preference for a milder or sharper flavor.
Cheese lace is optional but adds a delightful crispy texture.
Pickle brine drizzle is key for an extra tangy kick—don’t skip it!
You can substitute ground turkey or beef if preferred.
For a dairy-free version, omit cheese and substitute cottage cheese sauce with a vegan ranch dressing.

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, quick dinner