Chicken Taco Chopped Salad (Printable)

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

# What You Need:

→ 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 - 1/2 lime, juiced

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
02 - Cook chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove from heat and let rest for 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. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The warm spiced chicken against cool crunchy vegetables creates the most satisfying contrast of textures and temperatures
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like something you'd order at a restaurant
  • The salsa ranch dressing is that perfect creamy tangy element that ties everything together beautifully
02 -
  • The tortilla chips must be added last or they will get soggy and lose their satisfying crunch
  • Letting the chicken rest before chopping keeps all those delicious juices inside instead of on your cutting board
  • Patting the lettuce completely dry after washing prevents the dressing from sliding right off
03 -
  • Use a sharp chefs knife to dice the avocado and red onion finely so the flavors distribute evenly
  • Warm the tortilla chips in the oven for 5 minutes before crushing them for an extra level of crunch and flavor
Go back