Crunchy Taco Chicken Salad (Printable)

Seasoned chicken with crisp vegetables, beans, cheese, and crunchy taco shells in a creamy lime dressing.

# What You 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

# 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 for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
03 - Whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, hot sauce, ground cumin, and salt and pepper in a small bowl until smooth and well combined. Adjust seasoning to taste.
04 - Combine chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn kernels, sliced green onions, and diced avocado in a large salad bowl. 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 dressing over salad and toss lightly to coat, or serve dressing on the side. Top with crushed taco shells immediately before serving to maintain crisp texture.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • You get all the flavors of taco night without heating up your kitchen for hours
  • The crushed taco shells stay impossibly crisp until the very last bite, unlike croutons that go soggy
02 -
  • The taco shells must be added last or they will become soggy within minutes
  • Slicing the chicken against the grain after resting keeps each bite tender and juicy
03 -
  • Season your chicken generously because the salad components are mild and need that spiced foundation
  • Toast the taco shells lightly in the oven for 2 minutes before crushing for even more flavor and crunch
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