Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos with Crispy Cheese Lace
Delicious smash chicken tacos featuring seasoned chicken breasts smashed for crispy edges, served in crispy cheddar cheese lace shells, topped with a tangy dill pickle ranch sauce, chopped pickles, cilantro, and lime.
- Category: Tacos
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for cheese lace shells)
- 1/2 cup chopped dill pickle chips
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 2 tbsp dill pickle juice
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill (optional)
- 1 lime, cut into wedges (for serving)
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Begin by seasoning the chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the seasoned chicken in the skillet and use a spatula to press it down firmly, smashing it flat to ensure even cooking and crispy edges.
- Cook the smashed chicken for approximately 4-5 minutes per side until it’s golden brown, cooked through, and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and allow it to rest briefly before slicing it into bite-sized pieces.
- Wipe the skillet clean and return it to medium heat. To create the cheese lace shells, sprinkle about 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese into small, round piles in the hot skillet.
- Cook the cheese until it’s bubbling and the edges turn golden. Carefully lift the cheese rounds and drape them over a small bowl or taco mold to cool and form crisp shells.
- For the dill pickle ranch sauce, whisk together the ranch dressing, dill pickle juice, and chopped fresh dill (if using) in a small bowl until smooth.
- Assemble your tacos: place the smashed chicken pieces into each crispy cheese lace shell. Drizzle generously with the dill pickle ranch sauce. Top with chopped dill pickle chips and garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.