Chicken Taco Chopped Salad (Printable)

Vibrant Tex-Mex salad with seasoned chicken, fresh vegetables, and crispy tortilla chips.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

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

→ Salad Base

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

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat. Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
02 - Cook chicken for 6–7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove from heat, let rest 5 minutes, then 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 and drizzle with salsa ranch dressing. Toss to coat evenly.
06 - Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips on top just before serving to maintain crunch.
07 - Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The crispy tortilla chips on top make each bite feel like a reward
  • You get all the taco flavor without the hassle of shell stuffing
  • The salsa ranch dressing is what dreams are made of
02 -
  • I learned the hard way that adding the tortilla chips too early makes them soggy and sad
  • Letting the chicken rest before chopping keeps all the juices inside where they belong
  • The dressing tastes better if you make it first and let the flavors hang out together
03 -
  • Warm the chicken slightly in the microwave before adding if it has been refrigerated
  • Double the dressing because you will want to put it on everything else
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