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Smartphone photo of a single Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Taco showing charred tortilla spots and crispy chicken edges.

Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos: The Crispiest Weeknight Craving

A viral-inspired recipe for Dill Pickle Ranch Smash Chicken Tacos featuring crispy seared ground chicken, melted cheddar, tangy crinkle-cut pickles, and creamy ranch on a charred flour tortilla. Fast, easy, and family-approved!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American, Mexican Fusion
Calories: 310
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Components
  • 1 lb ground chicken 454g
  • 8 small flour tortillas street taco size
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese 113g, shredded yellow
  • 1 tsp salt 5ml
  • 1 tsp black pepper 5ml, freshly cracked
  • 1 tbsp avocado oil 15ml, for searing
Toppings
  • 1/2 cup dill pickles crinkle-cut rounds
  • 1/4 cup ranch dressing 60ml, thick and creamy
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill chopped

Equipment

  • 1 Cast iron griddle or heavy skillet
  • 1 Burger press or heavy spatula

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Divide the ground chicken into 8 equal balls (approx 2oz each). Do not overwork the meat. Season with salt and pepper.
Cooking
  1. Heat oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Place a chicken ball in the pan, top with a tortilla, and smash flat with a heavy press for 10 seconds. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
  3. Flip the taco so the tortilla is on the pan. Top chicken with cheddar cheese and cook for 1 minute until cheese is melted and tortilla is charred.
Assembly
  1. Remove from heat. Top with crinkle-cut pickles, a heavy ranch drizzle, fresh dill, and cracked black pepper.

Notes

Use a very hot pan to get the lacy crispy edges on the chicken.
Pat the pickles dry so the ranch dressing doesn't slide off.