Description
Lime Chicken Taco Salad delivers a zesty Mexican-inspired feast packed with fresh ingredients and bold flavors. Crisp greens, tender spiced chicken, and tangy lime dressing create a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground chicken
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) shredded Mexican blend or cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Salad Base:
- 2 bunches romaine lettuce, thinly sliced (about 4–5 cups)
- 1 cup (150 grams) cherry tomatoes, sliced
- 1 large ripe avocado, peeled and diced into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup (150 grams) corn, fresh from the cob
- ½ large red onion, thinly sliced (about ½ cup)
Seasonings and Dressing Ingredients:
- 2 to 4 tablespoons taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing:
- 2 cups packed fresh cilantro
- ½ ripe avocado, peeled and sliced in half
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) fresh squeezed lime juice
- Zest of 1 lime
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Serving Extras:
- Tortilla chips
- Salsa
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Heat a medium-sized skillet over medium heat, pouring of olive oil. Add ground chicken and meticulously crumble the meat while cooking for 5-6 minutes until it transforms to a nearly uniform golden brown appearance.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning over the chicken, stirring continuously to distribute the spices evenly and complete the cooking process until the meat reaches a rich, caramelized color. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the vibrant cilantro lime dressing by combining fresh cilantro leaves, ripe avocado, freshly squeezed lime juice and zest, extra virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a food processor. Blend until the mixture achieves a smooth, emulsified consistency.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, layer crisp romaine lettuce as the foundational base. Gently scatter halved or quartered cherry tomatoes, diced ripe avocado, sweet corn kernels, and thinly sliced red onion to create a colorful, textural landscape.
- Integrate the seasoned ground chicken across the salad, sprinkling generously with shredded monterey jack or cheddar cheese. Toss the ingredients delicately to ensure a harmonious distribution of flavors and textures.
- Generously drizzle the cilantro lime dressing over the salad, allowing it to cascade and coat each ingredient. Serve immediately with crispy tortilla chips, accompanied by zesty salsa and cool sour cream for an optional flavor enhancement.
Notes
- Quick weekend meal that transforms classic tacos into a fresh, zesty salad experience.
- Packed with protein from ground chicken and loaded with vibrant vegetables for a nutritious dinner option.
- Cilantro lime dressing brings a tangy, bright flavor that elevates the entire dish with minimal effort.
- Customizable recipe allows swapping proteins or adding extra toppings based on personal taste preferences.
- Perfect for meal prep, as ingredients stay crisp and can be stored separately until ready to enjoy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 490 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg