Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos Recipe
Introduction
These Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos are a delicious twist on classic tacos, combining savory ground chicken with tangy dill pickles and a creamy ranch sauce. Crispy cheese laces add a delightful crunch, making each bite bursting with flavor. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
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
- 1 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 cottage cheese with ranch seasoning and a squeeze of lemon juice to make the ranch sauce.
- Step 6: Assemble tacos with cooked chicken, cheese lace, chopped pickles, shredded cabbage, and the ranch sauce.
- Step 7: Drizzle with pickle brine before serving for extra tang and brightness.
Tips & Variations
- Try using pepper jack cheese for a little extra spice in the cheese lace.
- For a low-carb option, serve the filling wrapped in large lettuce leaves instead of tortillas.
- You can substitute Greek yogurt for cottage cheese to make the ranch sauce lighter.
- Adding fresh herbs like cilantro or chives can enhance the freshness of the tacos.
Storage
Store any leftover cooked chicken and ranch sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep tortillas in a sealed bag at room temperature or refrigerate. Reheat the chicken gently in a skillet or microwave before assembling tacos to retain moisture and flavor.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of ground meat?
Yes, ground turkey, beef, or pork can be used as a substitute for ground chicken, adjusting seasoning to taste.
How do I make cheese lace without sticking?
Use a non-stick skillet and cook the cheese over medium-low heat. Let the cheese melt and crisp evenly before carefully lifting it with a spatula.
PrintDill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos Recipe
These Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos combine seasoned ground chicken with crispy cheese lace, tangy dill pickles, and a creamy ranch-infused cottage cheese sauce, all wrapped in warm tortillas for a flavorful and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 tacos 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
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
For the Ranch Sauce
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1 teaspoon ranch seasoning
- Squeeze of lemon juice
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a bowl, season the ground chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the seasoned chicken until fully browned and crumbly, about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally to break up the meat.
- Make Cheese Lace: In a separate pan over medium heat, sprinkle small circles of shredded cheese and cook until they melt and become crispy golden, forming cheese lace. Remove and let cool.
- Warm Tortillas: Heat the tortillas either in a dry skillet for about 30 seconds per side or microwave them covered with a damp paper towel for 20 seconds until warm and pliable.
- Prepare Ranch Sauce: Blend the cottage cheese with ranch seasoning and a squeeze of lemon juice until smooth and creamy to create the ranch sauce.
- Assemble Tacos: On each warm tortilla, layer the cooked ground chicken, a piece of 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 a tangy punch before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute mozzarella or Jack cheese with cheddar or your preferred melting cheese for the cheese lace.
- Use fresh dill pickles for a crunchy texture and vibrant flavor.
- If you do not have ranch seasoning, you can use a mix of dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt.
- To save time, cheese lace can be made in batches and stored between parchment paper for later use.
- Adjust the amount of pickle brine to taste for desired tanginess.
Keywords: chicken tacos, dill pickle tacos, ranch chicken tacos, cheese lace, ground chicken recipe, quick tacos, crispy cheese, taco recipe
