Spiced Chicken Taco Salad with Creamy Chipotle Dressing

This chicken taco salad is a fiesta of textures and flavors. Crisp romaine lettuce is topped with juicy seared chicken, tender sautéed bell peppers and onions, fresh tomato, tangy pickled red onions, and crunchy crushed tortilla chips. Everything is drizzled with a creamy chipotle vinaigrette that ties it all together.

It’s a satisfying, carb-conscious meal that comes together quickly. Perfect for a weeknight dinner when you’re craving something bold and fresh.

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Ingredients

1 unit Green Bell PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Baby LettuceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Red OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Chipotle PowderView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1.5 ounce Blue Corn Tortilla ChipsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit TomatoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LimeView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Chicken CutletsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1.5 ounce Buttermilk Ranch DressingView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Southwest Spice BlendView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon (tsp) SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 teaspoon (tsp) Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Pickle the onion: Thinly slice the red onion. In a small bowl, combine the sliced onion, juice of half the lime, 1 teaspoon sugar, and a pinch of salt. Set aside to quick-pickle.
2. Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, buttermilk ranch dressing, chipotle powder, and a squeeze of lime juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Cook the chicken: Pat the chicken cutlets dry and season with the Southwest spice blend, salt, and pepper. Heat 1 teaspoon cooking oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Let rest, then slice.
4. Sauté the veggies: While the chicken rests, heat 1 teaspoon oil in the same skillet. Add the bell pepper (seeded and sliced) and remaining red onion (not pickled). Cook for 3-4 minutes until tender and lightly charred. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Assemble the salad: Chop the baby lettuce and divide between plates. Top with the sautéed veggies, sliced chicken, diced tomato, pickled onions, and crushed tortilla chips.
6. Finish: Drizzle the creamy chipotle dressing over the salad. Serve with remaining lime wedges.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Skillet

AmazonShop popular Skillet on AmazonView on Amazon

Small bowl

Kaytee Stoneware Ceramic Pet Hamster Bowl, Brown, 3-InchView on AmazonDipping Bowls, Soy Sauce Dish Ceramic, 3 OZ Small Serving Bowls for Side Dishes Vintage Blue Stylish Design, Set of 6 Mini Appetizer Plates for Condiment Sushi Ketchup BBQ Party, 4 InchView on AmazonFarielyn-X 3.5in 4oz Small Glass Bowls, Mini Glass Containers, Ramekins, Prep, Pinch Bowl, Stackable Condiment Containers, for Prep, Dips, Nuts, Snacks, Candy Meal Prep Bowls, Dessert BowlsView on Amazon

Knife

Legal Pocket Knife with 2.95” Serrated Blade, Glass Breaker, Seat Belt Cutter - EDC Sharp Folding Knives with Portable Clip - Small Tool for Tactical Camping Survival Hiking - Gifts for Men 6680View on AmazonSmith & Wesson Accessories Extreme Ops SWA24S 7.1in S.S. Folding Knife with 3.1in Serrated Clip Point Blade and Aluminum Handle for Outdoor, Tactical, Survival and EDCView on AmazonAmazon Basics Classic 8-inch Full Tang High Carbon Stainless Steel Chef's Knife, Multipurpose Kitchen Knife with Three Rivets, SilverView on Amazon

Cutting board

Astercook Deep-Carbonized Bamboo Cutting Boards for Kitchen with Wood Storage Stand, Reversible Charcuterie & Chopping Boards with Juice Grooves and Easy-Grip Handles, Fathers Day Gift for MenView on AmazonZeawec 3-Piece Set Bamboo Cutting Board for Kitchen - Crack-Resistant Wood Chopping Boards with Deep Juice Grooves, Pre-Oiled Butcher Block for Meat, Vegetables & Cheese, CarbonizedView on AmazonTitanium Cutting Board for Kitchen, Cutting Board Double Sided Food Grade, Pure Titanium/PP, Easy to Clean Large Size 15”×10.3”View on Amazon

Measuring spoons

Measuring Spoons, Premium Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons Cups Set, Small Tablespoon with Metric and US Measurements, Set of 6 for Measuring Dry and Liquid IngredientsView on AmazonTILUCK Measuring Cups & Spoons Set, Stackable Cups and Spoons, Nesting Measure Cups with Stainless Steel Handle, Kitchen Gadgets for Cooking & Baking (Black)View on AmazonSpring Chef Stainless Steel Magnetic Measuring Spoons Set with Strong N45 Magnets, Heavy Duty Metal Kitchen Gadgets for Baking & Cooking, Fits in Most Kitchen Spice Jars, Set of 8 with Leveler, BlackView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different protein?

Yes, ground beef, turkey, or black beans work well in place of chicken.

How do I make this salad ahead?

Prep the components separately and assemble just before serving to keep the lettuce crisp.

Is this salad gluten-free?

Yes, as long as you use certified gluten-free tortilla chips and ranch dressing.