Chicken Taco Chopped Salad (Printable)

Taco-seasoned chicken over crisp lettuce with fresh veggies, beans, cheese, avocado, and tortilla chips in creamy salsa ranch.

# What You'll 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

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

# How To Make:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Every forkful hits you with that perfect hot-and-cold contrast between seasoned chicken and crisp vegetables
  • You get all the satisfaction of taco night without the post-meal carb coma
  • The dressing comes together in thirty seconds flat but tastes like you labored over it
02 -
  • The heat from the chicken slightly wilts the lettuce in the most delicious way, so don't let it cool completely before assembling
  • This salad does not keep well once dressed, so only dress what you'll eat immediately
03 -
  • Warm your serving bowls in the oven for a few minutes before adding the salad, it keeps everything at the perfect temperature longer
  • Double the dressing and keep some in the fridge for drizzling over eggs or roasted vegetables throughout the week
Go Back