Description
Delicious chicken taco salad from the Pioneer Woman brings Mexican-inspired flavors to your dinner table. Crisp lettuce, seasoned chicken, and zesty toppings create a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup (2 oz) pepper jack cheese, shredded
- 3 roma tomatoes, diced
- 2 ears corn, husked and silk removed
- 2 avocados, diced
- 1 large head green leaf lettuce, shredded (about 8 cups)
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 3 tbsps cilantro, finely minced
- ½ cup cilantro leaves, loosely packed
- ¾ cup (6 fl oz) ranch dressing
- ¼ cup (2 fl oz) salsa
- 2 tbsps taco seasoning
- ¼ cup (2 fl oz) vegetable oil
- 2 tbsps butter
- tortilla chips of choice, slightly crushed
Instructions
- Dressing Preparation: Whisk ranch dressing, salsa, and cilantro in a bowl until smooth. Refrigerate to blend flavors and chill thoroughly.
- Chicken Cooking: Season chicken breasts with taco seasoning. Heat oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), about 4 minutes per side. Rest for 10 minutes, then cube into uniform pieces.
- Corn Roasting: Utilize the same skillet to char corn kernels until crisp-tender and slightly caramelized. Remove kernels from cob using a sharp knife.
- Salad Assembly: Layer shredded lettuce as the base. Top with seasoned chicken cubes, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, roasted corn, avocado cubes, green onion slices, and cilantro leaves. Scatter crushed tortilla chips for added crunch.
- Final Presentation: Drizzle chilled dressing over the salad just before serving. Offer extra dressing on the side for personalized flavor enhancement. Serve in individual decorative bowls.
Notes
- Seasoning Secrets: Use high-quality taco seasoning and consider making your own blend for a more personalized flavor profile that elevates the entire dish.
- Chicken Cooking Precision: Ensure chicken reaches exactly 165°F to guarantee food safety while maintaining maximum juiciness; use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
- Corn Roasting Technique: Char corn carefully to develop deep, smoky flavors without burning; rotate consistently for even caramelization and optimal taste.
- Salad Assembly Strategy: Layer ingredients strategically to prevent soggy lettuce and maintain crisp textures; add crunchy elements like tortilla chips just before serving to preserve their crispness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1300 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg