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A delicious Grilled Chicken Taco Salad with avocado, grilled corn and spicy homemade chips all dressed up with a cool cilantro-lime vinaigrette.
Don’t you love a recipe that you can’t mess up?  There’s no wrong way to prepare this salad and there’s plenty of shortcuts too so feel free to adapt to your preferences.  The one component you need to try however, is the homemade tortilla strips.  I made a my own taco seasoning and sprinkled it on the tortillas and the chicken but you can substitute your favorite package mix.  The great thing about homemade seasoning mix is being able to cut down on the salt while bringing up the heat.  The taco seasoning can be made ahead and stored in a jar until needed.  It’s great on ground beef for tacos or sprinkled on sautéed vegetables too.
Almost any tortilla (homemade, flour or corn) will work great here.  I went with a thicker flour tortilla called a Gordita.  Cut the tortilla into strips, toss with a little oil and some taco seasoning and bake until crisp.
Don’t scrimp on the seasonings – these little tasty nuggets really make this salad sing!
The bright and tart cilantro-lime vinaigrette tastes amazingly fresh and clean.
In addition to being great drizzled on the salad, the vinaigrette can also be combined with the onions, corn, tomatoes and black beans for a simple salsa.   I served our Grilled Chicken Taco Salad over hearty romaine lettuce because it holds up under the substantial toppings.  I also love the crunch factor of the lettuce especially when combined with the creamy avocado.
Finally, add your favorite shredded cheese and fresh sliced avocado; the salad is now a complete and satisfying meal.
Substitute shredded rotisserie chicken if you want. Â However, be sure to sprinkle it with the taco seasoning! Â For another shortcut, skip grilling the corn and use frozen kernels that have been cooked and cooled.
Grilled Chicken Taco Salad with a Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 2 ears of corn grilled then removed from the cob
- 1 can black beans (15 oz) rinsed and drained
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 small head romaine lettuce torn into bite size pieces
- 4 flour tortillas or corn tortillas, I used thick Gordita styled flour tortillas
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil plus extra for the corn
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning recipe below
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup shredded cheese sharp cheddar or your favorite
- 1 avocado peeled, pitted and sliced, drizzled with lime juice
- ½ cup red onions thin sliced
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh cilantro leaves
- Lime Vinaigrette for serving recipe below
- Lime wedges for serving
For the Taco Seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion salt
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika hot Hungarian if desired
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
For the Vinaigrette:
- Grated zest of 1 lime
- Juice of 2 limes
- 1 garlic cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- â…› teaspoon ground coriander
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro leaves
Instructions
For the Salad:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the tortilla strips, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon taco seasoning. Toss to coat. Spread the strips in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 5-10 minutes until crips and lightly browned. Set aside to cool.
- Preheat gas grill on high. Clean the grill grates then using long tongs, grease the grate with a paper towel soaked with vegetable oil.
- Drizzle the chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon oil, then sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of the taco seasoning. Grill until the juices run clear and the chicken is done through. Slice and set aside.
- Lightly oil the fresh corn and grill until lightly charred. Cut the kernels from the cob and set aside.
- To assemble the salad, layer the lettuce, onion, black beans, corn, sliced chicken, sliced avocado, black beans, tomatoes, and cheese. Add salt and fresh ground black pepper and a squeeze of lime on the avocado. Drizzle with the cilantro-lime vinaigrette and toss with the homemade tortilla strips. Serve garnished with cilantro leaves and fresh lime wedges if desires.
For the Taco Seasoning:
- Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.
For the Vinaigrette:
- In a small bowl add the zest, juice, garlic, sugar, salt and pepper. Whisk together to dissolve the sugar. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking until the mixture is blended and smooth. Stir in the cilantro and refrigerate until needed.
Recipe Notes
- Taco Seasoning adapted from a recipe on Allrecipes.
- Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette adapted from a recipe on Epicurious.
Nutrition
We LOVE this seasoning and have been making it for years.  It fits into all our Mexican inspired recipes and is less salty that the store bought pre-mixed package varieties.
Most of all I want to share our wonderful news! Â Our granddaughter Isabelle Taylor finally decided to make her appearance 8 days late! Â Isabelle was born on Monday, June 20th weighing in at 8 lbs 6 ounces and 21.5 Â inches long. Â Mother, father, and brother Isaac are all doing great! Â 3 million photos coming soon – haha – maybe just a few hundred! Â Our daughter Allie just turned 28 years old but I think she looks 16 in this photo. Â She is so happy and I bet Isabelle will be one of the frilliest, best dressed little girls ever! Â We are truly blessed.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and thanks so much for stopping by!
Tricia
Gerlinde @ Sunncovechef
Congratulations on your beautiful granddaughter, what a treasure and a happy looking family. You must be so happy and proud. Your taco salad looks wonderful, there is no such food here in Switzerland .
Tricia Buice
But … you are in Switzerland! Hope you’re having an amazing time. Please take a tons of pictures for me. I look forward to hearing about your adventure 🙂
Abbe@This is How I Cook
Congrats to all of you! Isabelle is so lucky to have a grandma like you! And this salad-this ought to nurse mama back! That and lactation cookies! Love this Tricia!
Tricia Buice
Thanks so much Abbe – you’re next! My daughter-in-law swears by these cookies – she said they really do work 🙂 Have a wonderful week!
Monica
What a beautiful baby girl and a lovely family! Congratulations, Tricia!!! I’m so happy for you and wish everyone all the best!
And you are so good and making the best of everything. This salad is so well thought out, so vibrant, and must be incredibly delicious. You make salads a treat!
Enjoy all the excitement…I know you must be super busy! : )
Tricia Buice
Thanks so much for the kind words Monica! Have a super week 🙂
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners
Oh my goodness, look at that gorgeous little babe! Congratulations to Mom, Dad ,Grandma and all the happy family !
I want to do a face plant in the plate, Tricia. All those beautiful ingredients and LOVE the tortilla strips! So perfect for these warm summer nights! Sharing 🙂
Tricia Buice
Thanks Robyn – she is a sweet one!
cheri
Congrats Grandma, She is beautiful! The babies is our family seem to take their time too.
Love this salad, has my favorite of all combos. Such a great idea to make your own seasoning. Wondering if the lettuce and tomatoes are from your garden?
Have a wonderful week-end, Cheri
Tricia Buice
Thank you so much Cheri! I’m afraid our garden is not ready yet. So much going on this year we were late getting it in, mostly due to the excessive rain and cool temperatures. But it’s coming along now! Can’t wait to see what you are harvesting!
Larry
Impressive presentation Tricia – I can imagine it was delicious.
Tricia Buice
Thanks so much Larry! Hope you’re having a great summer.
Elaine Cobb
Isabelle is beautiful. You will be such a great Grandma Tricia. Congratulations.
Your daughter does look 16.
The salad looks so good.
Tricia Buice
Thank you Elaine!
Mimi
I LOVE this salad! All of my favorite ingredients!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Mimi – have a lovely weekend!
Susan
Congratulations, Tricia! What an adorable baby ♥. She looks like she’s smiling in the bottom photo 🙂 Glad mother, baby, dad and brother are all doing well! What a gorgeous and delicious salad that I’m craving right now.
Tricia Buice
Thanks Susan! They are all very happy and she is a good baby. Life is great!
Becky Green
Isabelle is SMILING for the one photo!!!!! HOW SWEET!!!! 😉 Your daughter looks JUST LIKE YOU, TRICIA!!! 😉 They make a VERY HAPPY LOOKING FAMILY!!! CONGRATULATIONS TRICIA/GRANDMA! 😉 I think your recipe today looks WONDERFUL TOO!!! I will HAVE TO try it!!! We need some SPICING UP around here in meals! LOL CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN, TRICIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😉
P.S. Thank you for coming over to visit & leaving some love! You are SO SWEET!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Becky – she is a sweet little baby 🙂 Hope you have a very nice weekend!
Dom
hello baby! So cute! Also, I love this salad. I love how you’ve plated it like that. I do adore a salad that’s not too mixed and yet full of different things. Beautiful x
Tricia Buice
Thank you Dom!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
What a perfect summer salad and love the taco flavours (and that you made your own taco seasoning!). The dressing sounds delicious, too 🙂
Tricia Buice
Each part is great on it’s own Jennifer – but I love them combined too 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Angie@Angie's Recipes
Congratulations to you and the whole family, Tricia!
The salad looks so colourful and awesome, but the BABY has stolen the show..she is GORGEOUS!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Angie – we are so happy everyone is healthy and happy. Babies are a gift!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland
Tricia it wasn’t fair to this glorious salad to put that beautiful little face at the end, she totally takes the spotlight!! You truly are blessed, and everyone looks so content — I remember those exact moments so well. <3 As for your salad, it's amazing, I wish I could set it down in front of me tonight — pinning and sharing!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Sue – she is a sweet baby and we are thrilled everyone is happy and safe. Thanks for sharing!
Chris Scheuer
That baby!! So precious and the parents look so happy and so proud. I know it seemed like it was never going to happen but it looks like the timing was just perfect.
Now to the salad. This is a quintessential summer meal. I love everything about it and I agree, those tortilla chips take it over the top! I know they bring wonderful crunch and flavor to this pretty salad! Pinning and sharing!
Tricia Buice
Thanks so much Chris!