Crunchy Taco Chicken Salad (Printable)

Seasoned chicken over crisp lettuce with beans, cheese, and crunchy taco shells, topped with creamy lime dressing.

# What You’ll Need:

→ For the Taco Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 2 teaspoons taco seasoning (ensure gluten-free if needed)
04 - ½ teaspoon salt
05 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ For the 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 (fresh, canned, or thawed from frozen)
10 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
11 - 2 green onions, sliced
12 - 1 avocado, diced
13 - 1 cup crushed taco shells (about 3–4 shells, gluten-free if required)

→ For the Dressing

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

# How To Make It:

01 - Pat chicken breasts dry and rub thoroughly with olive oil, taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper, ensuring even coating on all sides.
02 - Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken for 6–7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, hot sauce, ground cumin, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.
04 - In a large salad bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn kernels, sliced green onions, and diced avocado. Toss gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
05 - Arrange sliced taco chicken over the salad base. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly across the top.
06 - Drizzle prepared dressing over the salad and toss lightly to coat, or serve dressing on the side for individual portioning. Top with crushed taco shells immediately before serving to maintain optimal crunch.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of warm spiced chicken and cool crisp vegetables hits every satisfaction button at once
  • Those crushed taco shells stay miraculously crunchy and turn an ordinary salad into something you'll actually crave
02 -
  • I learned the hard way that adding the crushed taco shells too early makes them soggy, so always add them as the very last step
  • Letting the chicken rest before slicing is non-negotiable, otherwise all those juices end up on your cutting board instead of in your salad
03 -
  • Use room temperature chicken breasts for more even cooking, and let the skillet get properly hot before adding the meat
  • Crush the taco shells into various sizes, from tiny crumbs to bigger pieces, so you get different textures in every bite
Go Back