Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos Recipe

Introduction

These Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos combine savory ground chicken with tangy pickles and creamy ranch sauce for a delicious twist on taco night. The crispy cheese lace adds a delightful crunch that makes each bite satisfying and flavorful.

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 blended with 1 teaspoon ranch seasoning and a squeeze of lemon

Instructions

1. Step 1: Season the ground chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
2. Step 2: Cook the chicken in a skillet over medium heat until fully browned and crumbled.
3. Step 3: In a separate pan, sprinkle shredded cheese in small circles and cook until crispy to make cheese lace.
4. Step 4: Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave.
5. Step 5: Mix cottage cheese with ranch seasoning and lemon juice to make the ranch sauce.
6. Step 6: Assemble tacos with chicken, cheese lace, pickles, cabbage, and ranch sauce.
7. Step 7: Drizzle with pickle brine before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use pepper jack cheese for extra spice in the cheese lace.
• Substitute ground turkey or beef for chicken if preferred.
• Add fresh cilantro or sliced jalapeños for more flavor and heat.
• Serve with lime wedges for an added burst of freshness.

Storage

Store cooked chicken and cheese lace separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the chicken gently in a skillet or microwave. Cheese lace is best enjoyed fresh but can be warmed briefly in an oven to regain some crispness. Assemble tacos just before serving to maintain texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these tacos gluten-free?

Yes, simply use gluten-free tortillas to make this recipe suitable for gluten-free diets.

Is there a substitute for cottage cheese in the ranch sauce?

You can use Greek yogurt or sour cream blended with ranch seasoning and lemon juice as alternatives for a creamy ranch sauce.

Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos Recipe

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4.4 from 50 reviews

These Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos combine seasoned ground chicken with crispy cheese laces, tangy pickles, fresh cabbage, and a creamy homemade ranch sauce for a delicious and easy-to-make taco recipe perfect for a quick weeknight meal.

• Author: rami
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 8 tacos 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Seasoning

• 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

Ranch Sauce

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

Instructions

1. Season the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the ground chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the meat.
2. Cook the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the seasoned ground chicken until it is fully browned and crumbled, breaking up any large pieces as it cooks. This should take about 7-10 minutes.
3. Make the Cheese Lace: In a separate pan over medium heat, sprinkle small circles of shredded mozzarella or Jack cheese and cook until the cheese becomes crispy and forms lacy, golden cheese crisps. Remove and set aside to cool.
4. Warm the Tortillas: Heat the tortillas in a dry skillet for about 30 seconds on each side or microwave for 20 seconds until warm and pliable.
5. Prepare the Ranch Sauce: In a blender or food processor, combine the 1/2 cup cottage cheese with 1 teaspoon ranch seasoning and a squeeze of lemon juice. Blend until smooth and creamy.
6. Assemble the Tacos: Lay the warm tortillas flat and layer on the cooked ground chicken, a cheese lace, chopped dill pickles, and shredded cabbage.
7. Add the Sauce and Brine: Spoon the creamy ranch sauce over the toppings and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of pickle brine for an extra tangy flavor before serving.

Notes

• Use either mozzarella or Jack cheese for the crispy cheese lace depending on your preference for flavor and texture.
• Pickle brine adds a punch of acidity that enhances the tacos—feel free to add more or less based on your taste.
• If you prefer a spicier taco, add some chili powder or hot sauce to the ground chicken seasoning.
• These tacos are great for meal prep; simply store components separately and assemble fresh before eating.
• For a lower calorie option, use reduced-fat cheese and cottage cheese.

Keywords: Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos, Ground Chicken Tacos, Crispy Cheese Laces, Easy Chicken Tacos, Ranch Sauce Tacos