Description

These Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos combine juicy seasoned ground chicken with tangy dill pickles, a creamy ranch-flavored cottage cheese topping, and a crispy cheese delight for texture. Perfect for a quick, flavorful 30-minute meal, these tacos bring a fresh twist with cabbage and pickle brine drizzle.

Ingredients

Scale

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 Dressing:

1/2 cup cottage cheese
1 teaspoon ranch seasoning
Squeeze of fresh lemon juice (about 1 teaspoon)

Instructions

Season the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the ground chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to evenly distribute the seasonings throughout the meat.
Cook the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the seasoned ground chicken. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until it is fully cooked through and no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes.
Warm the Tortillas: In a separate pan or skillet, warm the tortillas over medium heat for about 20-30 seconds on each side until pliable and heated through. Keep warm until assembly.
Prepare the Crispy Cheese Lace: Using a non-stick skillet, sprinkle shredded mozzarella or Jack cheese in a thin layer and cook over medium heat until the cheese melts and turns golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes. Remove carefully and let cool slightly.
Make the Cottage Cheese Dressing: In a small bowl, blend cottage cheese with ranch seasoning and a squeeze of lemon juice until smooth and creamy.
Assemble the Tacos: Place warm tortillas on plates. Add a generous portion of cooked ground chicken, then top with chopped dill pickles and shredded cabbage. Add a dollop of the cottage cheese ranch dressing on top.
Finish with Pickle Brine and Cheese Lace: Drizzle each taco with pickle brine for extra tang and flavor. Garnish by adding pieces of the crispy cheese lace either on top or on the side for crunch.

Notes

Use either shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese for the crispy cheese lace; make sure to shred finely for best results.
Adjust seasoning in the chicken mixture according to your taste preference.
The pickle brine adds a tangy punch; use fresh brine from your favorite dill pickles.
For a milder flavor, reduce the amount of paprika used in the chicken seasoning.
Serve immediately to enjoy the crispy cheese texture before it softens.
These tacos can be customized with additional toppings such as fresh cilantro or sliced jalapeños for extra heat.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: dill pickle, ranch, chicken tacos, crispy cheese, cottage cheese, easy taco recipe, quick dinner