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Loaded Chicken Taco Salad

Featured in Sophisticated Dinners Ready in 45 Minutes or Less.

This taco-style salad mingles golden brown chicken thighs, fresh-cut veggies, corn, and beans. Cheese, avocado, and crunchy chips make it a satisfying single-dish meal.

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Sarah
Updated on Fri, 28 Mar 2025 23:31:36 GMT
A fresh, colorful bowl of lettuce, grilled chicken, corn, tomatoes, and tortilla chips. Pin it
A fresh, colorful bowl of lettuce, grilled chicken, corn, tomatoes, and tortilla chips. | chefmiarecipes.com

I whipped up this Chicken Taco Salad when I was looking for something more refreshing than standard tacos but still wanted those bold Tex-Mex tastes. These days it's my favorite option when I want something both light and satisfying! The mix of zesty chicken, fresh veggies and those addictive crunchy tortilla pieces turns each serving into a little celebration.

Why This Bowl Stands Out

This isn't just any boring salad! It's packed with well-seasoned chicken, garden-fresh ingredients and all the mouthwatering taco fixings we can't get enough of. I can enjoy it any season and love how I can get everything ready beforehand for quick meals. The best part? Everyone can build their own exactly the way they want it.

Ingredients You'll Want

  • Chicken Thighs: They're always tender and full of taste.
  • Black Beans: Give them a good wash before adding.
  • Garden Goodies: Sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, red onions and plenty of fresh cilantro.
  • Sour Cream: Adds that cool, tangy creaminess.
  • Salsa: Homemade tastes amazing but store-bought works just fine.
  • Cheese: My pick is sharp cheddar but choose your favorite.
  • Tortilla Chips: They bring that must-have crunch element.

Simple Steps

Marinate That Chicken
Give it time to soak in all those spicy flavors.
Brown It Nicely
Get that chicken golden and delicious in the pan.
Next The Beans
Use those flavorful pan drippings to cook your beans and corn.
Stack Everything
Start with crisp lettuce and pile on all your favorite toppings.
Enjoy Now
Grab a fork while everything's still perfectly fresh.
A colorful salad featuring shredded grilled chicken, lettuce, diced tomatoes, corn, red onion, and a drizzle of dressing, with tortilla chips in the background. Pin it
A colorful salad featuring shredded grilled chicken, lettuce, diced tomatoes, corn, red onion, and a drizzle of dressing, with tortilla chips in the background. | chefmiarecipes.com

Tasty Variations

I sometimes toss the chicken on the barbecue for that smoky touch or use steak when we want something fancier. Tossing in some quinoa makes it even more filling and switching up the peppers can change how spicy it gets. Don't be afraid to try different cheeses too - the crumbly Mexican kinds can really jazz it up!

Handy Tricks

Always add your crunchy stuff at the last minute so they don't get all soft! For leftover meals, I only warm the chicken and beans. And remember to sample as you go - everyone likes different amounts of spice in their food.

Great Sides

Though this salad can totally be a meal by itself, I love having some fresh guacamole on the table too. Squeezing some lime juice over everything just before eating really brings out all the flavors, and sometimes I'll make a light citrusy dressing to pour on top.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can chicken breast replace thighs?

Absolutely! Breasts are fine, but they cook faster and can dry out easily.

→ What's the best marinating time?

1–24 hours works great! The longer it sits, the richer the flavor.

→ Can I prep this ahead?

Of course! Get the chicken cooked, veggies chopped, and assemble later.

→ Why a cast iron pan?

It gives amazing browning, but any sturdy skillet will do the job.

→ Can this dish work vegetarian?

Totally! Ditch the chicken, double up on beans and corn instead.

Loaded Chicken Salad

A taco-inspired dish filled with juicy chicken, beans, corn, crunchy toppings, and fresh veggies tossed together.

Prep Time
25 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes

Category: Weeknight Elegance

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Mexican-American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 individual bowls)

Dietary: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 1 avocado, diced.
02 1 ear of corn or 1 cup of frozen corn kernels.
03 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce.
04 1/2 cup diced red onion.
05 1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained.
06 1 1/2 pounds of chicken thighs, trimmed and cleaned.
07 3 tablespoons olive oil, split into portions.
08 4 ounces of crunchy tortilla chips.
09 1/3 cup chopped cilantro.
10 3/4 cup salsa, fresh if possible.
11 1 cup shredded cheese of your choice.
12 1/2 cup sour cream.
13 2 tablespoons lime juice.
14 1 teaspoon black pepper.
15 4 teaspoons chili powder, split into portions.
16 2 teaspoons minced garlic.
17 2 teaspoons ground cumin.
18 1 1/2 teaspoons salt.
19 1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes, cut in half.
20 Mexican-style hot sauce, as much as you want.

Instructions

Step 01

Combine lime juice, 2 spoonfuls of oil, 3 teaspoons chili powder, cumin, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl to make the marinade.

Step 02

Coat the chicken with the marinade and refrigerate for 1 to 24 hours.

Step 03

Warm up a skillet on medium-high heat.

Step 04

Cook the chicken for about 6 minutes on each side. Let it rest for 5 minutes before cutting it up.

Step 05

Wash the skillet once the chicken is done cooking.

Step 06

Using the leftover oil, quickly sauté the corn for a couple of minutes.

Step 07

Stir in the black beans, salsa, and the leftover chili powder. Cook for another 2 minutes, then toss in cilantro.

Step 08

Layer lettuce, chicken, tortilla chips, shredded cheese, grape tomatoes, avocado, red onion, and sour cream. Add as much hot sauce as you like.

Notes

  1. A cast iron skillet gives better browning results.
  2. You can prepare everything beforehand, but wait to assemble until serving.

Tools You'll Need

  • Heavy-bottomed skillet or cast iron pan.
  • Several mixing bowls for prep.
  • Measuring spoons for accuracy.
  • Cutting board for chopping.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy products (cheese and sour cream).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 650
  • Total Fat: 35 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 45 g
  • Protein: 42 g