Tex-Mex Chopped Chicken Salad Recipe
Tex-Mex cuisine is a delightful fusion of flavors and ingredients that brings a burst of excitement to your taste buds. If you’re in the mood for a satisfying and refreshing dish, our Tex-Mex Chopped Chicken Salad is just what you need. Packed with vibrant colors, bold flavors, and a tantalizing mix of ingredients, this salad is a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re preparing it for a family dinner or a potluck, this recipe is a surefire hit.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to create a Tex-Mex Chopped Chicken Salad that will leave you craving for more. From the zesty dressing to the crispy tortilla chips, every element of this salad plays a crucial role in making it a Tex-Mex delight. Let’s dive in!
Ingredients:
Dressing Ingredients
| INGREDIENT | QUANTITY |
|---|---|
| Ranch dressing | 1 cup |
| Taco seasoning (hot or mild) | 2 Tbsp |
Salad Ingredients
| INGREDIENT | QUANTITY |
|---|---|
| Chicken, cooked, cooled, diced | 3 cups |
| Romaine lettuce, chopped | 4 cups (about 1 head) |
| Roma tomatoes, diced | 2 |
| Cucumber, seeded and diced | 1 |
| Corn kernels, fresh or frozen | 1 cup |
| Green onions, sliced | 4-5 |
| Black beans, drained and rinsed | 1 15 oz can |
| Cheddar cheese (or pepper jack), cut into ¼” cubes | 4 oz |
| Cilantro, chopped | 1/4 cup |
| Juice of 1/2 of a lime | – |
| Tortilla chips, crushed | 1 cup |
| Jalapeño, diced, toasted pumpkin seeds, diced avocado or jicama for garnish (optional) | – |
Instructions:
1. Dressing
The dressing is the soul of this Tex-Mex Chopped Chicken Salad. It brings together the elements and infuses them with the bold Tex-Mex flavors. Here’s how to prepare it:
- In a small bowl, stir together 1 cup of ranch dressing and 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning (hot or mild).
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly and refrigerate the dressing until you’re ready to use it.
2. Salad
Now, let’s assemble the salad:
- In a large bowl, toss together the following salad ingredients: 3 cups of cooked, cooled, and diced chicken, 4 cups of chopped Romaine lettuce, 2 diced Roma tomatoes, 1 seeded and diced cucumber, 1 cup of fresh or frozen corn kernels, 4-5 sliced green onions, 1 drained 15 oz can of black beans, 4 oz of sharp cheddar cheese, and 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro.
- Squeeze the juice of half a lime over the salad mixture.
- Gradually add the prepared dressing a little at a time and toss until the salad is lightly coated.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Serving
Your Tex-Mex Chopped Chicken Salad is ready to be served. For an extra Tex-Mex twist, consider garnishing it with diced jalapeño, toasted pumpkin seeds, diced avocado, or jicama (optional). Enjoy the explosion of flavors and textures in every bite!
