Crunchy Taco Chicken Salad (Printer-Friendly)

Seasoned chicken over crisp lettuce with beans, cheese, avocado, and crushed taco shells in a creamy lime dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the 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

→ For the Salad

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

→ For the Dressing

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

# Direction Steps:

01 - Pat chicken breasts dry and rub thoroughly with olive oil, taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper, ensuring even coating on all sides.
02 - Heat skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into thin strips.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, hot sauce, and ground cumin until smooth and well combined. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
04 - In a large salad bowl, combine romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, green onions, and diced avocado. Toss gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
05 - Arrange sliced taco chicken over the top of the salad. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly across the surface.
06 - Drizzle dressing lightly over the salad and toss gently, or serve dressing on the side. Top with crushed taco shells immediately before serving to maintain crisp texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The warm spiced chicken against cool crisp lettuce hits every texture and temperature crave
  • You get all those taco night flavors without the post meal heavy feeling
02 -
  • Letting the chicken rest for five minutes after cooking prevents all those flavorful juices from escaping onto your cutting board
  • The taco shell pieces get soggy quickly so add them as the very last step before serving
03 -
  • Cook extra chicken while you're at the stove—it reheats perfectly for tomorrow's lunch
  • Keep the dressing separate until you're ready to eat and store any leftovers in airtight containers
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