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Salad | February 19, 2022

Quick and Easy Chicken and Black Bean Taco Salad

Our Quick and Easy Chicken and Black Bean Taco Salad is the perfect blend of crisp lettuce, chicken, black beans, cheese and an easy homemade dressing!

Quick and Easy Chicken and Black Bean Taco Salad

We are a taco loving family. If you’ve been here a while, you’ve probably tried some of our favorites: Tacos al Pastor, Lone Star Taqueria Fish Tacos, Navajo Tacos, and South of the Border Taco Platter to name a few!

Easy Navajo Tacos with Indian Fry Bread
Easy Navajo Tacos with Indian Fry Bread

Tacos are one of my regular rotation dinners because they are quick, easy and who doesn’t love a good taco (or taco salad)?! Our Chicken and Black Bean Taco Salad is so good for meal prep as well. Mix up early in the week, portion into containers, then grab and you’re ready to go all week long!

Quick and Easy Chicken and Black Bean Taco Salad

If you are trying to eat more healthy, this recipe is a great option. I know the drive-thru is tempting, you may have even wondered “what is really in a Taco Bell taco salad?” or looked it up while waiting in the drive thru line. I can tell you this: If you take a few minutes to whip up a batch of this salad at home, it will cost loads less per serving and can feed you for most of the week! AND you’ll recognize every ingredient in every bite. Doesn’t that feel better already?!

Chicken Taco Salad

I love this recipe, which was inspired by an old Cooking Light recipe years ago. I list two options for the dressing (one more health conscious). Here’s a bonus, this recipe is easily adaptable to your taste! The options are endless when choosing veggies and other toppings. I love chicken in my taco salad, but have also added ground beef seasoned with cumin, chili powder, garlic and onion as well if I have it on hand. Salmon, shrimp or pork also works in this recipe or go meatless!

ingredients for taco salad

Here’s what you need to make Chicken and Black Bean Taco Salad:

  • chicken breast halves or 4 cups cooked chicken 
  • Romaine lettuce
  • black beans
  • tomatoes
  • red onion
  • cilantro
  • Cheddar or Jack cheese
  • lime
  • tortilla chips
  • buttermilk
  • plain Greek yogurt
  • taco seasoning
  • garlic salt
5 from 4 votes
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Quick and Easy Chicken and Black Bean Taco Salad

Easy to make and perfect for food prep! Chicken, black beans, crisp Romaine, cheese, veggies and topped with an option of two dressings!

Course Dinner, lunch
Cuisine American, Mexican, southwest
Keyword chicken, green salad, taco bowl, Tacos
Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients

for taco salad:

  • 3 chicken breast halves or about 4 cups cooked chicken, seasoned generously with garlic salt and pepper chopped or shredded
  • 10 cups washed and chopped Romaine lettuce
  • 15 oz can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 2-3 tomatoes, or one pint grape tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 medium red onion chopped about 1 cup
  • 1 bunch cilantro chopped and divided
  • 1 1/2 cups Cheddar or Jack cheese grated
  • 1 lime
  • tortilla chips

Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing:

  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
  • 1/2 bunch cilantro washed and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon prepared taco seasoning
  • 1 lime, juiced add 2 tablespoons, then more if needed
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • fresh ground pepper, salt to taste

Lime Vinaigrette Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup chopped seeded tomatillo
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons Cider Vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons lime rind grated
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 garlic clove chopped
  • 4 tablespoons mayo or plain Greek yogurt, optional

Instructions

  1. Squeeze the juice of one lime over the cooked and chopped chicken. Set aside.

  2. Combine all dressing ingredients in blender or bowl, and whisk or blend until smooth. Set aside in refrigerator until ready to dress salad. This may be done up to three days ahead.

  3. Combine remaining salad ingredients including chicken into large bowl. Add desired amount of cheese and tortilla chips. Serve with prepared dressing.

Recipe Notes

  • Unless the salad is being served and eaten all at one sitting, I toss the chips, cheese and dressing with each individual serving.
  •  Variations include using a half bag of frozen corn; thawed, chopped bell peppers or sliced olives.
  • Substitutions for buttermilk and mayonnaise: for buttermilk- add 1/2 cup plain unsweetened Greek yogurt and 1/2 cup milk and stir. For mayo use plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt, sour cream (regular or light) or 4 oz softened cream cheese. 
  • If preparing the chicken ahead, cook and place in fridge after chopping. On the day of serving, toss with fresh lime juice. 

8 thoughts on “Quick and Easy Chicken and Black Bean Taco Salad

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Recipe Rating




  1. 5 stars
    This Taco Salad is delicious! I made the recipe exactly as written along with both dressings and everyone in my house loved it 🙂 Thanks for another great recipe.

    1. Hi Fernando,
      I’m so glad you liked this taco salad. Thank you for your positive comments and thank you for reading ABK.
      Si

  2. This sounds amazing! I just wanted to make sure Im reading this correctly. For the Vinaigrette it calls for 1/2 cup tomato? Does this go into the blender too? I havent seen a lime vinaigrette recipe with a red tomato before so just wanted to make sure before I make it.

    1. Hi Kels,
      Thanks for asking about the tomato. It’s actually a tomatillo! Not sure if that was spellcheck “helping” me or my own mistake. Thank you for pointing that out. I’ve updated the recipe!
      Thank you for reading ABK.
      xo,
      Si

  3. 5 stars
    I know this sounds crazy, but these 5 stars are for the dressing alone!! I love the hint of lime that really makes the salad seem lighter overall. I now use this dressing every time I make taco salad. Delicious! Thank you, Si!