Crunchy Taco Chicken Salad (Printable)

Seasoned chicken over crisp lettuce with beans, corn, cheese, avocado, and crushed taco shells, topped with creamy lime-cumin dressing.

# 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 (approximately 3-4 shells)

→ Creamy Lime 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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Rub evenly with olive oil, taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper, ensuring full coverage on all sides.
02 - Heat skillet over medium heat. Place seasoned chicken in pan and cook for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear. Transfer to cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
03 - In small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, hot sauce, and ground cumin until completely smooth and well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
04 - In large serving bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, sliced green onions, and diced avocado. Toss gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
05 - Arrange sliced taco chicken over top of salad mixture. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly across the surface.
06 - Drizzle with prepared dressing and toss lightly to coat, or serve dressing on the side. Top with crushed taco shells immediately before serving to maintain maximum crunch.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • It is like eating a taco without the mess of shells breaking apart
  • The dressing comes together in one minute and keeps in the fridge for days
02 -
  • The taco shells will get soggy if you add them too early
  • Letting the chicken rest before slicing keeps all the juices inside
03 -
  • Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a lighter dressing
  • Warm the chicken slightly before serving if you have meal prepped it
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