Honey Lime Chicken Taco Salad (Print Version)

Grilled honey-lime chicken atop crisp romaine with corn, black beans, tomatoes, and avocado. Zesty and refreshing.

# 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 cumin
07 - 1 garlic clove, minced
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Salad

10 - 6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
11 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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 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 cumin
23 - 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
24 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How To:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until well combined.
02 - Place chicken breasts in a shallow dish or zip-top bag. Pour marinade over chicken, turning to coat all sides. Marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor.
03 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through with internal temperature reaching 165°F. Allow to rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - In a large bowl, combine 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup corn kernels, 1 cup drained black beans, 1/2 cup shredded cheese, diced avocado, and thinly sliced red onion.
05 - In a small jar or bowl, combine 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon chili powder, salt, and pepper. Shake or whisk until emulsified.
06 - Drizzle dressing over salad and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
07 - Top salad with grilled chicken slices, tortilla strips if desired, and fresh cilantro leaves. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The honey-lime marinade transforms ordinary chicken into something that feels like it came from a restaurant
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, even on busy weeknights
02 -
  • Dont skip the resting time for the chicken after grilling or the juices will run out onto your cutting board instead of staying in the meat
  • The dressing makes more than you need but thats intentional because you will want extra tomorrow
03 -
  • Pound the chicken to even thickness before marinating so every bite finishes cooking at the same time
  • The honey in the marinade can burn quickly, so watch your heat and move the chicken if needed
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