Crunchy Taco Chicken Salad (Printable)

Seasoned taco chicken served over crisp lettuce with beans, cheese, avocado, and crunchy shell pieces in a zesty lime-cumin dressing.

# What You 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

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

→ 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

# Directions:

01 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Rub evenly with olive oil, taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper on all sides.
02 - Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook seasoned chicken breasts 6 to 7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear. Allow to rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
03 - In a small mixing bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, hot sauce, and ground cumin until smooth and well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
04 - In a large salad bowl, combine chopped 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 prepared salad mixture. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly across the top.
06 - Drizzle prepared dressing over the salad and toss lightly to coat, or serve dressing on the side for individual preference. Top with crushed taco shells immediately before serving to preserve crunchiness.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything you love about tacos but in salad form with way less mess
  • The crushed taco shells on top make it feel like youre eating something special
02 -
  • Dress the salad right before serving or the taco shells will get soggy
  • The chicken keeps its moisture better when you let it rest before slicing
03 -
  • Warm the taco shells slightly before crushing for even better flavor
  • Leftover chicken makes amazing tacos the next day
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