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If you’re looking for a salad that is going to kill it in terms of flavor, color, crunch, and satisfaction, then you have arrived. This satisfying Southwestern chicken salad I the kind of thing that I love to order out, but I love making at home even more. Mostly because I can have seconds.

There are certain areas of the country where the cooking of the flavors and the dishes captivate people far beyond the confines of their borders. (This, of course, is true for places outside of the U.S. — perhaps we’ve all sampled and enjoyed some Italian cooking, yes?) But within the U.S., I think it’s safe to say that Southwestern food has a fan base far beyond its region.

The lines between Southwestern and Tex-Mex cuisines are a little blurry. There are beans and chilis and tomatoes and corn and similar spices in both. When I was a kid and a budding cook, Jane Butel’s books made a big impact on me. She was one of the first people to write extensively about the food and cooking of the Southwest, and that was my intro to this amazing cuisine.

For more Southwestern flavors, try Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas, Southwestern Vegan Black Bean Burgers, and Southwest Quinoa Casserole.

Table of Contents

Colorful Southwestern Chicken Taco Salad in a Bowl.

Chicken Taco Salad: This Southwestern main dish salad is a full-on festival of color and texture and flavor — a joy to look at and a joy to eat.

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Ingredients

  • Radishes – A zesty, crunchy element with a slight kick.
  • Black beans – More protein, more texture.
  • Cucumber – Crunchy, crisp, fresh.
  • Red onion – Slice it as thinly as you can (and use another color onion if that’s what you have!).
  • Pepper – Red, orange, or yellow pepper will all work perfectly.
  • Fresh lime juice – Lime juice is a staple ingredient in Southwestern cooking. This adds some citrusy zing to the salad (and yes, you can use lemon juice if that’s what you have — fresh makes a big difference).
  • Oil and vinegar – The dressing for this salad is simply oil and vinegar, plus salt and pepper, because the seasonings come in when you’re pulling together the different components. Canola or vegetable oil works, as do cider or rice vinegar — it’s up to you! Once everything is combined into one taco bowl, the flavors all meld together and turn a simple dressing into a flavor bomb.
  • Ground cumin and chili powder – The seasonings that you use to cook the chicken, chili powder, cumin, and garlic blend into the dressing, coating all of the ingredients with tons of flavor.
  • Chicken cutlets – These robustly seasoned cutlets lend loads of flavor to the salad. Cut into bite-sized pieces for the perfect ratio of vegetable to protein.
  • Minced garlic
  • Romaine hearts – A refreshing and crispy lettuce for the base of this salad.
Spoon adding cooked chicken to a bed of lettuce.

How to Make Chicken Taco Salad

  1. Make veggie mix: In a medium bowl, combine the black beans, radishes, cucumbers, red onion, peppers, 1 tablespoon of the lime juice, and 1 tablespoon of the oil.
  2. Mix chicken seasoning: Mix together the cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle it over the chicken.
  3. Cook the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, swish it around, then add the chicken without crowding (in batches if necessary), and sauté until cooked through, about 4 minutes on each side. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and sprinkle with lime juice.
  4. Dress the lettuce.
  5. Plate and serve: Pile the lettuce into 4 individual shallow bowls. Divide the chicken over the lettuce. Spoon the vegetable mixture in equal amounts over the chicken, then top with avocado and cilantro, if desired, and serve with tortilla chips or Fritos on the side or crumbled on top.
Spoon topping a bowl of colorful vegetables, beans, and chicken with avocado.

Make-Ahead and Storage

You can cut up all of the salad components and day ahead of time and store them in the fridge. You can also make the chicken a few days ahead and keep that refrigerated. Bring the chicken to room temp before tossing together the salad for the best flavor.

FAQs

Is taco salad an American thing?

Taco salad is a Tex-Mex-style salad that combines both American and Mexican elements. Sometimes, it’s served in a tortilla shell bowl, but at home, it’s much easier to sprinkle tortilla chips or corn chips on top of the salad.

What is Southwestern flavor?

Southwestern flavors are strong and smoky, inspired by both American and Mexican flavors. Cumin, garlic, chili powder, ground coriander, and fresh cilantro are common herbs and spices used in Southwestern cooking.

What to Serve With Chicken Taco Salad

Agua Fresca

Cheddar Cornbread

Salsa Ranchera

Bowls of Southwestern Chicken Taco Salad on table.

More Chicken Salad Recipes

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Chicken Taco Salad

5 from 4 votes
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Total: 28 minutes
Servings: 4 people
This Southwestern main dish salad is a full-on festival of color, texture, and flavor — a joy to look at and a joy to eat.
Southwestern Chicken Taco Salad Bowl
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Ingredients 

  • 1 cup black beans (drained and rinsed)
  • 8 radishes (thinly sliced)
  • ½ cucumber (halved lengthwise, seeded, and cut into thin half moons)
  • ½ red onion (cut into wedges, then slivered)
  • ½ cup thinly sliced red or yellow pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (divided)
  • 4 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil (divided)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)
  • 1 ½ pounds thin chicken cutlets
  • 1 clove garlic (finely minced)
  • 8 cups thinly shredded romaine hearts
  • 2 tablespoons cider or rice wine vinegar

To Serve (Pick and Choose)

Instructions 

  • In a medium bowl, combine the black beans, radishes, cucumbers, red onion, peppers, 1 tablespoon of the lime juice, and 1 tablespoon of the oil. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Mix together the cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle it over the chicken.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, swish it around, then add the chicken without crowding (in batches if necessary), and sauté until cooked through, about 4 minutes on each side. Remove the cutlets to a cutting board and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Sprinkle them with the remaining tablespoon od lime juice.
  • Meanwhile toss the lettuce with the vinegar and remaining 2 tablespoons oil, and season generously with salt and pepper.
  • Pile the lettuce into 4 individual shallow bowls. Divide the chicken evenly between the bowls, piling it onto the lettuce. Spoon the vegetable mixture in equal amounts over the chicken, then top with avocado and cilantro, if desired, and serve with tortilla chips or Fritos on the side or crumbled on top.

Notes

You can cut up all of the salad components and day ahead of time and store them in the fridge. You can also make the chicken a few days ahead of time and keep that refrigerated. Bring the chicken to room temp before tossing together the salad for best flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 424kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 43g, Fat: 19g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 109mg, Sodium: 224mg, Potassium: 1303mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 13365IU, Vitamin C: 38mg, Calcium: 89mg, Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Comments

  1. This was fabulous and easy to make. I appreciated that it was a healthy meal without sacrificing flavor.

    Reply

  2. Perfect spring taco salad, a hit all the way around the table. I even shared some with my parents. They were also fans.

    Reply

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