Crunchy Taco Chicken Salad (Printable)

Seasoned taco chicken with crisp lettuce, beans, cheese, and crunchy shell pieces. A satisfying Tex-Mex inspired salad.

# 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

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

→ Dressing

14 - ½ cup sour cream
15 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
16 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
17 - 1 teaspoon hot sauce
18 - ½ teaspoon ground cumin
19 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Pat chicken breasts dry and rub with olive oil, taco seasoning, salt, and pepper on all sides.
02 - Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Let rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, hot sauce, and ground cumin until smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
04 - In a large salad bowl, combine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, green onions, and avocado. Toss gently to combine.
05 - Arrange sliced taco chicken over the salad base. Sprinkle evenly with shredded cheddar cheese.
06 - Drizzle with prepared dressing and toss lightly, or serve dressing on the side for individual preference.
07 - Top with crushed taco shells immediately before serving to retain maximum crunch and texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Every bite delivers that irresistible crunch-to-creamy texture contrast we all secretly crave
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for those weeknights when takeout sounds tempting but homemade feels better
  • The customizable heat level means everyone at the table can make it exactly their way
02 -
  • Letting the chicken rest is not optional, those first few minutes of resting determine whether each bite stays juicy or turns into something disappointingly dry
  • Adding the crushed taco shells last is the difference between salad and sadness, so time that final garnish for right before you sit down
03 -
  • Cook the chicken a few hours ahead and refrigerate it, then serve cold if you are preparing this for a potluck or picnic
  • Double the dressing and keep it in a jar in the refrigerator, it lasts for a week and makes everything taste better
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