Honey Lime Chicken Taco Salad (Print View)

Refreshing salad with marinated grilled chicken, romaine, corn, black beans, and honey-lime dressing.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Honey Lime Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 3 tablespoons honey
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 garlic clove, minced
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Salad

10 - 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
11 - 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
12 - 1 cup cooked corn kernels
13 - 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
14 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
15 - 1 ripe avocado, diced
16 - 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
17 - 1/2 cup tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips, optional
18 - Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish

→ Honey Lime Dressing

19 - 2 tablespoons honey
20 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
21 - 1/4 cup olive oil
22 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
23 - 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
24 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together honey, lime juice, olive oil, chili powder, cumin, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined.
02 - Place chicken breasts in a shallow dish or zip-top bag and pour marinade over them, turning to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor.
03 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill marinated chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
04 - In a large bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, corn kernels, drained black beans, shredded cheese, diced avocado, and thinly sliced red onion.
05 - In a small jar with a lid or bowl, combine honey, lime juice, olive oil, cumin, and chili powder. Shake vigorously or whisk until emulsified.
06 - Drizzle dressing over salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
07 - Top salad with sliced grilled chicken, tortilla strips if desired, and fresh cilantro leaves. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like you spent all day planning something special
  • The honey lime dressing doubles as both marinade and salad topping, meaning less mess and more flavor
  • You can prep all the components ahead and assemble right before serving, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining
02 -
  • Do not marinate the chicken longer than 2 hours or the acid in the lime juice will start to break down the meat texture
  • Let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes after grilling, otherwise all those delicious juices will end up on your cutting board instead of in your salad
  • Wait to dress the salad until right before serving or the lettuce will wilt and lose that satisfying crunch
03 -
  • Pound your chicken breasts to an even thickness before marinating to ensure they cook at the same rate and stay juicy throughout
  • Make double the dressing and keep it in a jar in the refrigerator, it keeps for a week and is fantastic on simple green salads or as a marinade for other proteins
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