Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Dill Pickle Ranch Chicken Tacos with Crispy Cheese Lace Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.9 from 1 review
  • Author: Sue
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 tacos
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Dill Pickle Ranch Chicken Tacos with Crispy Cheese Lace offer a quick and tasty weeknight meal featuring juicy, smash-grilled ground chicken, tangy dill pickles, and a creamy cottage ranch drizzle. Each taco is layered with a crispy cheese base, crunchy slaw, and a burst of dill pickle flavor, delivering a perfect balance of textures and over 30 grams of protein per serving. An easy-to-make, flavorful taco recipe that’s sure to please the whole family.

Ingredients

Chicken and Taco Base

  • 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 Monterey Jack cheese

Slaw

  • 1 cup shredded cabbage
  • 1/2 cup chopped dill pickles
  • 2 tablespoons pickle brine

Cottage Ranch Drizzle

  • 1/2 cup cottage cheese
  • 1 teaspoon ranch seasoning
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon

Optional Toppings

  • Extra pickles
  • Fresh dill
  • Hot sauce

Instructions

  1. Season the Chicken: In a bowl, mix the ground chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Divide the seasoned chicken into 8 equal-sized balls.
  2. Heat Skillet: Preheat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the tacos.
  3. Assemble and Smash Tacos: Place one tortilla in the hot skillet. Top the tortilla with one chicken ball and sprinkle 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese over the chicken. Using a spatula, smash the chicken ball flat onto the cheese-topped tortilla to create the taco base.
  4. Cook Cheese Lace: Cook the assembled taco cheese-side down for about 2 minutes until the cheese becomes golden and crispy, forming a sturdy crispy cheese lace.
  5. Cook Chicken Side: Flip the taco carefully and cook the chicken side for 3–4 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through.
  6. Prepare Slaw: In a separate bowl, toss shredded cabbage with chopped dill pickles and pickle brine to create a tangy, crunchy slaw that pairs perfectly with the chicken.
  7. Make Cottage Ranch Drizzle: Blend cottage cheese, ranch seasoning, and lemon juice together until smooth and creamy to create a refreshing drizzle for the tacos.
  8. Assemble Tacos: Once all components are ready, fill each taco with a generous portion of the cabbage pickle slaw, the cooked chicken on crispy cheese lace, and drizzle with the cottage ranch mixture.
  9. Add Toppings and Serve: Garnish tacos with extra pickles, fresh dill, or a splash of hot sauce if desired. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor experience.

Notes

  • Use a nonstick skillet to ensure the cheese lace crisps perfectly without sticking.
  • Cook only 1–2 tacos at a time to avoid overcrowding and ensure even cooking.
  • For a spicy variation, add jalapeños or buffalo sauce to the slaw or drizzle.
  • Make extra dill ranch drizzle—it works excellently as a dip on the side.
  • Reheat leftovers in a toaster oven rather than a microwave to maintain the crispiness of the cheese lace.

Find it online: https://suerecipe.com/dill-pickle-ranch-chicken-tacos-with-crispy-cheese-lace-recipe/