Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos Recipe
Introduction
Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos are a fun and flavorful twist on classic tacos. Juicy ground chicken seasoned with garlic and paprika pairs perfectly with tangy dill pickles, crispy cheese lace, and a creamy ranch sauce. These tacos are quick to make and packed with satisfying textures and tastes.
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
- ½ cup chopped dill pickles
- 2 tablespoons pickle brine
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- ½ 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 create cheese lace. Use a non-stick pan to prevent sticking.
- 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 crunch, toast the tortillas lightly before assembling your tacos.
- Adjust the amount of pickle brine according to your taste preferences.
- You can substitute shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese for a different flavor in the cheese lace.
Storage
Store any leftover cooked chicken and toppings separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep tortillas wrapped tightly in a plastic bag or container to prevent drying out. Reheat the chicken gently in a skillet or microwave, and warm tortillas before serving again. Cheese lace is best enjoyed fresh, as it may lose crispness when stored.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground chicken?
Yes, ground turkey works well as a substitute and will provide a similar texture and flavor.
What if I don’t have ranch seasoning?
You can replace ranch seasoning with a mix of dried herbs like dill, parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder to create a similar flavor for the cottage cheese sauce.
PrintDill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos Recipe
Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos combine flavorful ground chicken seasoned with garlic and paprika, crispy cheese lace, tangy dill pickles, crunchy cabbage, and a creamy ranch-cottage cheese sauce. Finished with a drizzle of pickle brine, these tacos offer a delicious fusion of textures and tangy flavor perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 small tacos 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Ingredients
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
- ½ cup chopped dill pickles
- 2 tablespoons pickle brine
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
Ranch Sauce
- ½ cup cottage cheese
- 1 teaspoon ranch seasoning
- A squeeze of lemon juice
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a bowl, mix the ground chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined to ensure the chicken is evenly flavored.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the seasoned ground chicken, stirring frequently, until it is fully browned and crumbled, about 8-10 minutes.
- Make Cheese Lace: In a separate non-stick pan, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella or Jack cheese in small circles. Cook over medium heat until the cheese melts and becomes crispy and lacy, then carefully remove and set aside.
- Warm the Tortillas: Warm the tortillas either in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds each side or briefly in the microwave until soft and pliable.
- Prepare the Ranch Sauce: Blend the cottage cheese with ranch seasoning and a squeeze of lemon juice until smooth to create a creamy ranch sauce.
- Assemble the Tacos: On each warmed tortilla, layer the cooked ground chicken, a cheese lace piece, chopped dill pickles, shredded cabbage, and a generous dollop of the ranch sauce.
- Finish with Pickle Brine: Drizzle each taco with pickle brine for an extra burst of tangy flavor right before serving.
Notes
- Use a non-stick pan to cook the cheese lace to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Adjust the amount of pickle brine according to your taste preference for tanginess.
- For extra crunch, toast the tortillas lightly in a dry pan before assembling the tacos.
Keywords: Dill Pickle Ranch Tacos, Ground Chicken Tacos, Cheese Lace Tacos, Quick Dinner Recipes, Ranch Sauce Tacos, Crispy Cheese Tacos
