Description
Cilantro lime chicken taco salad brings zesty Mexican-inspired flavors to your dinner table. Crisp greens, tender spiced chicken, and tangy dressing create a perfect balance of freshness and boldness that satisfies hunger with delightful southwestern charm.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 2 bunches romaine lettuce, thinly sliced
- 1 large ripe avocado, peeled and diced into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup corn, fresh from the cob
Vegetable and Cheese Components:
- ½ large red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
- ½ cup shredded Mexican blend or cheddar cheese
- 2 cups packed fresh cilantro
- ½ ripe avocado, peeled and sliced in half
Seasoning and Dressing Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2–4 tablespoons taco seasoning
- ¼ cup fresh squeezed lime juice
- Zest of 1 lime
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Additional Serving Items:
- Tortilla chips
- Salsa
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Prepare a skillet over medium heat, drizzling with olive oil. Crumble ground chicken into the pan, using a spatula to break it into small pieces while cooking.
- Continue sautéing the chicken until it transforms into a golden-brown hue, stirring frequently to ensure even cooking. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the meat, allowing the spices to infuse and intensify the flavor profile.
- Transfer the seasoned chicken to a separate plate, letting it rest while preparing the vibrant dressing.
- Combine fresh cilantro, ripe avocado, zesty lime juice and zest, fruity olive oil, tangy vinegar, robust mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper into a food processor.
- Pulse the ingredients until the mixture becomes silky smooth, creating a creamy and herbaceous dressing with a bright, citrusy undertone.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, layer crisp romaine lettuce as the salad’s foundation. Scatter juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy diced avocado, sweet corn kernels, and thinly sliced red onion across the greens.
- Gently fold the previously prepared chicken into the salad, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top for an added layer of richness.
- Drizzle the cilantro lime dressing generously, coating each ingredient with its vibrant flavor.
- Serve the salad accompanied by crunchy tortilla chips, zesty salsa, and a dollop of cool sour cream to enhance the overall dining experience.
Notes
- Whip up this zesty taco salad for a quick, flavor-packed meal that transforms boring weeknight dinners into a fiesta of fresh ingredients.
- Customize the heat level by adjusting taco seasoning or adding a splash of hot sauce for those craving an extra kick.
- Meal prep champions can cook chicken and chop vegetables in advance, storing components separately to assemble a lightning-fast lunch or dinner throughout the week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg