Honey Lime Chicken Taco Salad (Printable)

Vibrant salad with grilled honey-lime chicken, fresh veggies, beans, and creamy avocado drizzled with tangy dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Honey Lime Chicken

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

→ For the 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
18 - Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish

→ For the Honey Lime Dressing

19 - 2 tbsp honey
20 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
21 - 1/4 cup olive oil
22 - 1/2 tsp cumin
23 - 1/4 tsp chili powder
24 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# Step-by-Step:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together honey, lime juice, olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Place chicken breasts in a shallow dish or zip-top bag. Pour marinade over the chicken, turning to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 15 minutes, up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
04 - In a large bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, corn kernels, black beans, shredded cheese, diced avocado, and sliced red onion.
05 - Combine honey, lime juice, olive oil, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper in a small jar or bowl. Shake vigorously or whisk until fully emulsified and smooth.
06 - Drizzle honey lime dressing over the salad mixture. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly without damaging the lettuce or avocado.
07 - Top dressed salad with sliced grilled chicken, tortilla strips, and fresh cilantro leaves. Serve immediately while chicken is still warm and lettuce remains crisp.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The honey lime marinade creates this incredible caramelized crust on the chicken that you will want to eat straight off the tongs
  • Everything can be prepped ahead so you are just assembling when it is time to eat
  • The combination of sweet, tangy, and crispy hits every craving in one bowl
02 -
  • The honey in the marinade can burn over high heat so keep your grill at medium high, not nuclear
  • Letting the chicken rest after grilling is the difference between juicy and dry so do not skip this step
  • The dressing tastes better after it sits for 10 minutes so make it first
03 -
  • Grill extra chicken to use for salads or wraps throughout the week
  • Toast the tortilla strips in a dry pan for restaurant level crunch
  • Limes roll better on the counter before cutting to release more juice
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