Crunchy Taco Chicken Salad (Printable)

Vibrant Tex-Mex salad featuring seasoned chicken, crisp lettuce, beans, cheese, and crunchy taco shell pieces.

# What You'll Need:

→ Taco Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 2 teaspoons taco seasoning
04 - ½ teaspoon salt
05 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Salad Base

06 - 6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
07 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
08 - 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
09 - 1 cup corn kernels
10 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
11 - 2 green onions, sliced
12 - 1 avocado, diced
13 - 1 cup crushed taco shells

→ Cumin Lime Dressing

14 - ½ cup sour cream
15 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
16 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
17 - 1 teaspoon hot sauce, optional
18 - ½ teaspoon ground cumin
19 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Rub evenly with olive oil, taco seasoning, salt, and pepper on both sides.
02 - Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken 6 to 7 minutes per side until golden and juices run clear. Transfer to cutting board and rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
03 - Whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, hot sauce, and cumin in a small bowl until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
04 - Combine romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, green onions, and avocado in a large salad bowl. Toss gently to combine.
05 - Arrange sliced taco chicken over the salad base. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly across the entire salad.
06 - Drizzle dressing over salad and toss lightly to combine, or serve dressing on the side for individual preference. Top with crushed taco shells immediately before serving to maintain crunch.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Vibrant Tex-Mex inspired meal that is ready in just 35 minutes.
  • A healthy and filling main dish with 31g of protein per serving.
  • Easily adaptable for gluten-free diets.
02 -
  • Wait until the very last moment to add the crushed taco shells to prevent them from becoming soggy.
  • Always verify ingredient labels for allergens such as dairy, eggs, and gluten.
  • Prepare the dressing in advance to let the flavors meld together.
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