Description
These Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos combine juicy ground chicken seasoned with garlic and paprika, crispy cheese lace tortillas, and a tangy dill pickle ranch cottage cheese topping. The mixture of savory chicken, crunchy cabbage, and zesty pickle brine makes for a refreshing and flavorful taco experience that’s quick and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Tacos and Toppings
- 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
- Prepare the chicken mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the seasoned ground chicken. Cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until the chicken is fully cooked through and no longer pink, about 7-10 minutes.
- Warm the tortillas: In a separate pan or skillet, gently warm the tortillas over medium heat until they are pliable and heated through, about 30 seconds each side.
- Make the cheese lace: In a non-stick skillet, spread a thin layer of shredded mozzarella or Jack cheese and cook over medium heat until the cheese melts and turns golden brown and crispy, forming a cheese lace. Remove carefully and set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare the cottage cheese ranch topping: In a small bowl, blend the cottage cheese with ranch seasoning and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the tacos: Layer each warmed tortilla with the cooked chicken, chopped dill pickles, shredded cabbage, and a dollop of the cottage cheese ranch mixture. Drizzle with pickle brine for extra tang and top with pieces of crispy cheese lace for crunch.
Notes
- Adjust seasoning of the chicken mixture to your taste preferences.
- Feel free to use any melting cheese you prefer for the cheese lace such as cheddar or pepper jack.
- Serve with extra dill pickles on the side for added crunch and flavor.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne or chili powder to the chicken mixture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
