Dill Pickle Ranch Chicken Tacos (Print Version)

Juicy chicken with dill pickles, ranch, cabbage, and crispy cheese creates a vibrant, flavorful taco twist.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken Filling

01 - 1 pound ground chicken
02 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
03 - 1 teaspoon paprika
04 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
05 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Tacos and Toppings

06 - 8 small gluten-free tortillas
07 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Jack cheese
08 - 1/2 cup chopped dill pickles
09 - 2 tablespoons pickle brine
10 - 1 cup shredded green cabbage

→ Ranch Cottage Cheese Sauce

11 - 1/2 cup cottage cheese
12 - 1 teaspoon ranch seasoning
13 - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

# Step-by-Step:

01 - In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
02 - Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken mixture, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - In a blender or food processor, blend cottage cheese, ranch seasoning, and lemon juice until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.
04 - Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or directly over a gas flame until pliable. Keep covered to stay warm.
05 - Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle approximately 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese in a circle slightly larger than a tortilla. Let melt and cook until golden and lacey, about 2 minutes. Carefully place a tortilla on top, press gently, and cook for 30 seconds. Flip and cook for another 30 seconds, then transfer to a plate cheese-side up. Repeat with remaining tortillas and cheese.
06 - Top each cheese-crusted tortilla with a generous spoonful of chicken, a handful of shredded cabbage, chopped dill pickles, and a drizzle of pickle brine.
07 - Finish with a dollop of ranch cottage cheese sauce. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The cheese lace gives you that addictive crunch that makes every bite feel indulgent, not guilty.
  • Dill pickle flavor sneaks throughout without overwhelming anything else, making it feel sophisticated but still playful.
  • Comes together in 30 minutes flat, so weeknight dinners suddenly feel like you tried way harder than you actually did.
02 -
  • The cheese lace will only stay crispy for about 10 minutes, so make these right before you eat them or they become floppy—I learned this by trying to plate everything at once and then watching them wilt.
  • Don't skip blending the cottage cheese sauce smooth; if it's lumpy it tastes like you cut corners, and if it's smooth it tastes like restaurant-quality dressing.
03 -
  • Keep your non-stick skillet at medium heat because too hot and your cheese lace burns before it gets crispy, and too low and it becomes greasy instead of lacey.
  • Toast your cottage cheese sauce under the broiler for 30 seconds right before serving if you want it warm instead of cold, which completely changes the experience in the best way.
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