Honey Lime Chicken Taco Salad (Printable View)

Zesty salad with honey-lime grilled chicken, corn, black beans, fresh avocado, and crispy tortilla strips tossed in lime dressing.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ 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 Components

10 - 6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
11 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - 1 cup fresh or thawed frozen 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 red onion, thinly sliced
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 pepper to taste

# Directions:

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

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The honey lime marinade transforms ordinary chicken into something that feels restaurant special but comes together in under 40 minutes
  • Every forkful delivers that perfect crunch to creaminess ratio that makes salads actually satisfying
02 -
  • Pat the chicken dry before adding the marinade, excess water prevents the marinade from adhering properly
  • Let the grilled chicken rest for the full 5 minutes, slicing too early lets all those delicious juices escape onto the cutting board
03 -
  • Invest in a good instant read thermometer, taking the chicken off exactly at 165 degrees prevents it from drying out
  • Toast your tortilla strips in a dry pan for 2 minutes instead of using store bought, the difference in flavor is remarkable
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