Crunchy Taco Chicken Salad (Printable)

Tex-Mex salad with seasoned chicken, fresh vegetables, beans, cheese, and crunchy taco shells topped with creamy lime 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 Components

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

# Directions:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its essentially deconstructed tacos in salad form, which means you can pretend youre being healthy while eating something that tastes absolutely indulgent
  • The homemade dressing comes together in seconds but tastes like something youd get at a restaurant, and you probably have everything in your fridge right now
02 -
  • Letting the chicken rest before slicing is non-negotiable, otherwise all those juices run out and youre left with dry meat instead of succulent slices
  • The taco shells will get soggy if you add them too early, so keep them separate until the absolute last moment before serving
03 -
  • If the chicken breasts are really thick, pound them to even thickness before cooking so they cook through without drying out
  • Double the dressing recipe and keep it in your fridge, it works on everything from regular salads to burrito bowls
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