Description
Enjoy a fresh twist on dinner with our Loaded Chicken Taco Salad with Creamy Lime-Cilantro Dressing! This vibrant salad brings together all the delicious flavors of tacos in a nutritious and satisfying dish. Featuring juicy, taco-seasoned chicken piled high on crisp romaine lettuce and topped with a zesty homemade dressing, it’s not only quick to prepare but also customizable to suit your taste. Perfect for weeknight meals, gatherings, or meal prep, this salad will surely become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1.25-ounce packet taco seasoning (divided; reduced sodium recommended)
- 4 cups romaine lettuce
- 1 or 2 medium tomatoes (diced; vine-ripened recommended)
- 1/2 cup canned corn (drained; fresh or frozen may be substituted)
- 1/2 cup canned black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 medium Hass avocado (peeled and diced)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (Monterey Jack and cheddar blend recommended)
- 1 cup seasoned tortilla chips (crushed)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (lite okay)
- 1/4 cup sour cream (lite okay; plain Greek yogurt may be substituted)
- 3 to 4 tablespoons lime juice (to taste)
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves (minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bite-sized chicken pieces and sprinkle with taco seasoning. Cook for about 5 minutes until the chicken is no longer pink inside.
- In a large platter or bowl, layer romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes, corn, black beans, diced avocado, shredded cheese, crushed tortilla chips, and top with the cooked chicken.
- For the dressing, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt, lime juice, and remaining taco seasoning in a small mixing bowl until smooth. Stir in minced cilantro.
- Drizzle dressing over the salad just before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 472
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Feel free to customize toppings based on what you have on hand; consider adding jalapeños or olives for extra flavor. For added depth of flavor, marinate the chicken in lime juice and taco seasoning before cooking.