Crunchy Taco Chicken Salad (Printable)

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

# Required Ingredients:

→ For the Taco Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 2 teaspoons taco seasoning (ensure gluten-free if needed)
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 (fresh, canned, or thawed from frozen)
10 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
11 - 2 green onions, sliced
12 - 1 avocado, diced
13 - 1 cup crushed taco shells (about 3–4 shells, gluten-free if required)

→ For the Dressing

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

# Directions:

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 a skillet over medium heat. Place seasoned chicken in the pan and cook for 6–7 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, hot sauce (if using), ground cumin, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined. Adjust seasoning to taste.
04 - In a large salad bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, rinsed black beans, corn kernels, sliced green onions, and diced avocado. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
05 - Arrange sliced taco chicken over the top of the salad. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly across the surface.
06 - Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad and toss lightly to combine, or serve dressing on the side. Top with crushed taco shells immediately before serving to maintain maximum crunch.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The combination of warm spiced chicken and cool crisp vegetables creates that perfect temperature contrast that makes restaurant salads so addictive
  • You get all the taco flavors you crave without the post meal heaviness that usually follows a traditional taco dinner
  • The crushed taco shell pieces scattered throughout deliver this incredible crunch that keeps every single bite interesting from start to finish
02 -
  • The taco shell pieces will get soggy within minutes of hitting the dressing so add them right before you sit down to eat
  • Letting the chicken rest after cooking is non negotiable if you want it to stay juicy instead of drying out
  • The dressing tastes even better after it sits for 15 minutes so make it first while the chicken cooks
03 -
  • Warm your taco shells in the oven for 5 minutes before crushing them to wake up their flavor and make them extra crunchy
  • Grill the chicken instead of cooking it in a skillet when the weather is nice for that irresistible smoky flavor
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