Chicken Taco Chopped Salad (Printable)

Crunchy salad with taco-seasoned chicken, fresh vegetables, tortilla chips, and salsa ranch dressing—a satisfying Tex-Mex meal in a bowl.

# 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 - Juice of 1/2 lime

# How-To:

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. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, salsa, and lime juice until smooth. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, combine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, red onion, cheese, and avocado.
04 - Add chopped chicken to the salad and drizzle with salsa ranch dressing. Toss to coat evenly.
05 - Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips on top just before serving to maintain crunch. Serve immediately.

# Insider Tips:

01 -
  • You get all the bold taco flavors without the carb-heavy shell, plus it comes together in under 40 minutes
  • The contrast between warm spiced chicken and cool crisp vegetables creates the most satisfying bite
  • This salad holds up beautifully for meal prep lunches that actually make you excited to eat
02 -
  • Letting the chicken rest after cooking is non-negotiable for keeping it juicy
  • The tortilla chips must be added last or they will become soggy and lose their magic
  • Warm chicken against cold vegetables creates the most incredible temperature contrast
03 -
  • Cut the avocado into larger chunks so they don't turn to mush when tossing
  • Use restaurant-style tortilla chips and crush them by hand for the most satisfying texture
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