Crunchy Taco Chicken Salad (Printable)

Seasoned taco chicken atop crisp greens with beans, cheese, avocado, and crunchy shell pieces tossed in creamy 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

→ Lime Cumin Dressing

14 - ½ cup sour cream
15 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
16 - 1 tablespoon fresh 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 pepper on all sides.
02 - Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes.
03 - Cut rested chicken breasts into thin slices against the grain for optimal texture.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, hot sauce, and ground cumin until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
05 - In a large salad bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn kernels, sliced green onions, and diced avocado. Toss gently to combine.
06 - Arrange sliced taco chicken over the salad mixture. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly across the top.
07 - Drizzle dressing over salad and toss lightly to combine, or serve dressing on the side. Top with crushed taco shells immediately before serving to maintain crunchiness.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • You get all the satisfaction of taco night without the mess of assembling individual tacos
  • The contrast between warm spiced chicken and cool fresh vegetables creates this incredible texture experience
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes even on your busiest weeknights
02 -
  • The crushed taco shells need to be added last minute or they will get soggy and lose that signature crunch
  • Letting the chicken rest before slicing is nonnegotiable for keeping it moist and tender
  • The dressing tastes better after sitting for at least 30 minutes so make it first
03 -
  • If you want to meal prep this keep the crushed shells in a separate container and add them right before eating
  • Grilling the chicken instead of panfrying adds incredible smoky depth
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