Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos with Crispy Cheese Delight Recipe
These Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos with Crispy Cheese Delight bring together ground chicken seasoned with garlic and paprika, crunchy dill pickles, fresh shredded cabbage, and a tangy ranch-spiked cottage cheese topping. The tacos feature crispy melted cheese lace for added texture and flavor, making for a delicious, quick, and satisfying meal perfect for taco night or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 small tacos 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
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
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1 teaspoon ranch seasoning
- 1 squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure even seasoning throughout.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat, add the seasoned ground chicken, and cook until the meat is fully cooked through with no pink remaining, breaking it apart as it cooks for a crumbly texture.
- Warm the Tortillas: In a separate pan or skillet, warm the small tortillas over medium heat until pliable and slightly toasted, about 30 seconds per side. Keep them warm until assembly.
- Prepare Cheese Lace: In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, sprinkle shredded mozzarella or Jack cheese evenly to form thin circles. Cook until the cheese melts completely and becomes crispy and golden brown, forming crispy cheese lace. Carefully remove and let cool to maintain shape.
- Blend Cottage Cheese Topping: In a small bowl, combine cottage cheese with ranch seasoning and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Blend or stir well until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Tacos: Lay out the warm tortillas and divide the cooked ground chicken evenly among them. Top each with chopped dill pickles and shredded cabbage for crunch.
- Add Toppings and Finish: Spoon the blended cottage cheese ranch mixture over the tacos and drizzle with pickle brine to add tangy moisture. Finally, place a piece of crispy cheese lace on top of each taco for an extra cheesy crunch.
Notes
- Use either mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese for the crispy cheese lace; both melt and crisp nicely.
- Adjust the seasoning to taste, adding more paprika or garlic powder if desired.
- The pickle brine adds a bright tang; use fresh brine for the best flavor.
- For a lower-fat option, substitute low-fat cottage cheese and cheese.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the crispy cheese while it’s fresh.
- These tacos can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free tortillas.
Keywords: tacos, ground chicken tacos, dill pickle tacos, ranch chicken tacos, crispy cheese tacos, quick chicken tacos, easy dinner recipe
