Taco-Seasoned Chicken Chopped Salad (Printable)

Crunchy Tex-Mex salad bowl with taco-seasoned chicken, fresh vegetables, cheese, and salsa ranch dressing.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1 pound)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 2 teaspoons taco seasoning
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Salad

06 - 6 cups chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
07 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
08 - 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
09 - 1 cup canned corn kernels, drained
10 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
11 - 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
12 - 1 avocado, diced
13 - 1 cup crushed tortilla chips

→ Salsa Ranch Dressing

14 - 1/2 cup ranch dressing
15 - 1/3 cup tomato salsa
16 - Juice of 1/2 lime

# Directions:

01 - Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear.
02 - Remove chicken from heat and let rest for 5 minutes. Chop into bite-sized pieces.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, salsa, and lime juice until smooth. Set aside.
04 - In a large bowl, combine lettuce, tomatoes, black beans, corn, red onion, cheese, and avocado.
05 - Add chopped chicken to the salad and drizzle with salsa ranch dressing. Toss to coat evenly.
06 - Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips on top immediately before serving to maintain crunch. Serve right away.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything you love about tacos in one bowl but lighter and faster
  • The tortilla chips stay crunchy and the dressing hits every corner
  • You can prep everything ahead and assemble in five minutes
02 -
  • The chicken needs those 5 minutes of resting time or it will be dry
  • Add the chips at the very last second because dressing makes them soggy fast
03 -
  • Warm the tortilla chips in the oven for 5 minutes for extra crunch
  • Let the dressing sit for 10 minutes for the flavors to meld
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