Description
Fresh lime chicken elevates this zesty salad with Mexican-inspired flavors. Crisp greens, tangy dressing, and seasoned chicken create a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 bunches romaine lettuce, thinly sliced (about 4–5 cups)
- 1 pound (454 g) ground chicken
- ½ cup (120 ml) shredded Mexican blend or cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, sliced
- 1 large ripe avocado, peeled and diced into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup (150 g) corn, fresh from the cob
- ½ large red onion, thinly sliced (about ½ cup)
- 2 to 4 tbsps taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 cups packed fresh cilantro
- ½ ripe avocado, peeled and sliced in half
- ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh squeezed lime juice
- Zest of 1 lime
- ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
- 2 tbsps apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Tortilla chips
- Salsa
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Chicken Preparation: Sauté ground chicken in olive oil over medium heat, breaking it down into fine crumbles until achieving a golden-brown texture. Incorporate taco seasoning, stirring thoroughly to ensure even spice distribution and complete cooking.
- Cilantro Lime Dressing Creation: Blend cilantro, avocado, lime juice and zest, olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a food processor until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Salad Assembly: Construct a vibrant base using romaine lettuce, then strategically layer cherry tomatoes, avocado, corn kernels, and red onion for a dynamic visual and textural foundation.
- Final Composition: Distribute seasoned chicken across the salad, generously sprinkle monterey jack or cheddar cheese, and gently toss to integrate flavors. Cascade cilantro lime dressing over the entire composition, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Serving Suggestion: Present immediately alongside crispy tortilla chips, optional salsa, and sour cream for a refreshing, customizable dining experience.
Notes
- Meat Texture Tip: Crumble ground chicken into small, uniform pieces for even cooking and better seasoning absorption.
- Seasoning Technique: Stir taco seasoning constantly to prevent burning and ensure complete flavor distribution throughout the meat.
- Dressing Emulsion Secret: Blend cilantro lime dressing ingredients until completely smooth for a creamy, well-integrated sauce that coats ingredients perfectly.
- Salad Assembly Trick: Layer ingredients gently to maintain individual ingredient integrity and prevent bruising of delicate vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg