Description
A vibrant and flavorful Tex-Mex chopped chicken salad featuring seasoned ranch dressing, fresh vegetables, black beans, sharp cheddar cheese, and crunchy tortilla chips. Perfect for a quick, satisfying meal with a delightful mix of textures and zesty flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 2 Tbsp taco seasoning (hot or mild)
Salad
- 3 cups chicken, cooked, cooled and diced
- 4 cups Romaine lettuce, chopped (about 1 head)
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 1 cucumber, seeded and diced
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 4-5 green onions, sliced
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 4 oz sharp cheddar cheese or pepper jack cheese, cut into ¼” cubes
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- Juice of ½ lime
- 1 cup tortilla chips, crushed
- Jalapeño, diced (optional)
- Toasted pumpkin seeds (optional)
- Diced avocado or jicama (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine the ranch dressing with the taco seasoning. Stir until fully blended. Refrigerate the dressing to allow the flavors to meld until you are ready to use it.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the diced chicken, chopped Romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes, cucumber, corn, sliced green onions, black beans, cubed cheese, and chopped cilantro. Squeeze the juice of half a lime over the mixture. Gently toss all ingredients together to evenly distribute the flavors.
- Add the Dressing: Gradually pour the prepared taco-seasoned ranch dressing over the salad, tossing gently after each addition until the salad is lightly coated. Add dressing to taste; you may not need to use it all.
- Finish & Serve: Season the salad with salt and pepper to your preference. Just before serving, fold in the crushed tortilla chips to add crunch. Garnish with diced jalapeño, toasted pumpkin seeds, or diced avocado or jicama if desired. Serve immediately for the best texture and taste.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of jalapeño or use hot taco seasoning.
- The salad is best served immediately after adding tortilla chips to maintain their crunch.
- Use grilled or rotisserie chicken for convenience and enhanced flavor.
- Substitute the ranch dressing with a dairy-free alternative to suit dietary needs.
- Add more lime juice if you prefer a tangier salad.
