Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos (Printable Version)

Smashed spiced chicken meets tangy dill pickles and zesty ranch, crowned with crispy golden cheese lace in warm tortillas for maximum crunch.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp garlic powder
04 - 1 tsp onion powder
05 - 1 tsp dried dill
06 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1/2 tsp black pepper

→ Ranch Sauce

09 - 1/2 cup sour cream
10 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
11 - 2 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
12 - 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
13 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
14 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
15 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
16 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
17 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Crispy Cheese Lace

18 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
19 - 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

→ Toppings & Assembly

20 - 8 small flour or corn tortillas
21 - 1 cup dill pickles, thinly sliced
22 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
23 - 1/2 head iceberg lettuce, shredded

# Steps:

01 - Combine chicken with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Mix thoroughly to coat evenly and set aside to marinate for 10-15 minutes.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, fresh dill, chives, parsley, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste and refrigerate until ready to serve.
03 - Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place portions of chicken (approximately 2-2.5 oz each) in the skillet and use a spatula or burger press to flatten into thin patties. Sear for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Repeat with remaining chicken.
04 - Wipe the skillet clean. For each taco, sprinkle an even layer of mixed cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese directly onto the skillet in a 4-5 inch circle. Place a tortilla on top and cook for 1-2 minutes until the cheese becomes golden and crisp. Flip carefully and warm the tortilla for 30 seconds. Remove with cheese side up. Repeat for all tortillas.
05 - Spread a spoonful of ranch sauce over the crispy cheese side of each tortilla. Layer with smashed chicken, sliced dill pickles, red onion, and shredded lettuce. Drizzle with additional ranch sauce if desired and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of crispy cheese, juicy ranch chicken, and tangy pickles hits every craving at once
  • Smashing the chicken creates these incredibly crisp edges while keeping the inside tender
02 -
  • The cheese needs to be spread thin and even or you'll get soggy spots instead of that beautiful crisp lace
  • Don't rush the smashing step, really press down hard to get those edges crispy
03 -
  • Pat your chicken really dry before seasoning it, or it'll steam instead of sear
  • Use a cast iron skillet if you have one, the heat retention makes for better smashing
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