Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Assemble the Tacos: Lay the warm tortillas flat and layer on the cooked ground chicken, a cheese lace, chopped dill pickles, and shredded cabbage.
- 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
Find it online: https://cheframiflavor.com/ranch-smash-chicken-tacos-recipe/
