Chicken Taco Chopped Salad (Printable)

Crunchy Tex-Mex salad bowl with taco-seasoned chicken, fresh vegetables, crispy tortilla chips, and zesty salsa ranch dressing.

# 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

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
02 - Cook chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from heat, let rest for 5 minutes, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
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 - Add chopped chicken to the bowl and drizzle with salsa ranch dressing. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
06 - Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips on top immediately before serving to maintain optimal crunch and texture.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The tortilla chips stay perfectly crispy when you add them right at the end
  • You get all the taco flavors without the mess of falling apart shells
  • The salsa ranch dressing comes together in literally thirty seconds
02 -
  • Dress the salad right before serving or the lettuce will get sad and wilty
  • The chicken keeps in the fridge for three days and actually tastes better the next day
  • Warm chicken against cold vegetables is what makes this salad feel like a real meal
03 -
  • Dry your lettuce thoroughly after washing or the dressing will slide right off
  • Warm your tortilla chips in the oven for three minutes before crushing for extra crunch
Go Back