Description

These Dill Pickle Ranch Chicken Tacos with Crispy Cheese Lace are a quick and flavorful weeknight meal loaded with tangy dill pickles, juicy smash-grilled chicken, and a cool cottage ranch drizzle. Perfectly crispy, creamy, and packed with over 30g of protein per serving — an irresistible taco night favorite everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

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
1 cup shredded cabbage
1/2 cup chopped dill pickles
2 tablespoons pickle brine
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1 teaspoon ranch seasoning
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Optional: extra pickles, fresh dill, or hot sauce

Instructions

Season ground chicken with garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper, then divide into 8 balls.
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
Place one tortilla in the skillet, top with a chicken ball and 2 tablespoons shredded cheese, and smash flat.
Cook cheese side down for 2 minutes until golden and crisp.
Flip and cook the chicken side 3–4 minutes until done.
In a bowl, toss cabbage with chopped dill pickles and pickle brine to make slaw.
Blend cottage cheese, ranch seasoning, and lemon juice until smooth to make drizzle.
Assemble tacos with slaw, chicken, and drizzle.
Top with extra pickles or dill and serve immediately.

Notes

Use a nonstick skillet for best cheese lace crispiness.
Cook 1–2 tacos at a time to avoid crowding the pan.
Add jalapeños or buffalo sauce for a spicy twist.
Make extra dill ranch drizzle — it’s perfect for dipping.
Reheat leftovers in a toaster oven to maintain crunch.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Skillet
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 tacos
Calories: 410
Sugar: 3
Sodium: 820
Fat: 14
Saturated Fat: 6
Unsaturated Fat: 8
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 35
Fiber: 2
Protein: 34
Cholesterol: 75

Keywords: dill pickle chicken tacos, ranch tacos, crispy cheese tacos, high protein tacos, healthy chicken tacos