Irresistible Tex Mex Chopped Salad: A Burst of Flavors in Every Bite!

Tex Mex Chopped Salad – Welcome to a tantalizing adventure of flavors with our Tex Mex Chopped Salad recipe. This vibrant and refreshing salad combines the best of Tex-Mex cuisine with a delightful mix of fresh ingredients. Get ready to indulge in a colorful medley of seasoned chicken, crisp vegetables, zesty dressing, and crunchy tortilla chips. This recipe is perfect for those looking to add a burst of excitement to their meals. Join us on this culinary journey and discover why this Tex Mex Chopped Salad is an absolute crowd-pleaser!

This Tex Mex Chopped Salad has become a cherished favorite in our household. Every time I prepare this dish, my husband’s eyes light up with anticipation. It all started when we had our first taste of this salad at a local Tex-Mex restaurant during a summer vacation. The explosion of flavors and the perfect balance of textures left an everlasting impression on our palates. Determined to recreate this culinary masterpiece at home, I experimented tirelessly until I achieved the perfect recipe. Now, our family gathers around the table, eagerly piling our plates high with this mouthwatering salad. It’s become a symbol of togetherness, celebration, and the joy of good food shared with loved ones.

Why This Salad Is a Must-Try?

• Bursting with Flavors: The combination of tender chicken, crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, refreshing cucumber, sweet corn, zesty dressing, and crunchy tortilla chips creates an explosion of flavors in every bite.
• Versatile Dressing: Our homemade ranch dressing infused with spicy taco seasoning adds a tangy kick to the salad. The dressing perfectly complements the ingredients, taking the taste to a whole new level.
• Fresh and Wholesome Ingredients: This salad is packed with nutritious ingredients like Romaine lettuce, black beans, and colorful vegetables, making it a guilt-free indulgence that’s as good for your body as it is for your taste buds.
• Customizable Garnishes: Elevate your Tex Mex Chopped Salad with optional garnishes like diced jalapeños, toasted pumpkin seeds, avocado, or jicama. These add-ons provide an extra layer of texture and flavor, allowing you to tailor the salad to your preferences.

Ingredients:

Dressing:

• 1 cup (240g) ranch dressing
• 2 tbsp. (30g) hot or mild taco seasoning

Salad:

• 3 cups (420g) cooked, cooled, and diced chicken
• 4 cups (240g) chopped Romaine lettuce (about 1 head)
• 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1 cucumber, seeded and diced
• 1 cup (150g) corn kernels, fresh or frozen
• 4-5 green onions, sliced
• 1 can (15 oz./425g) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 4 oz. (115g) sharp cheddar cheese or pepper jack, cut into ¼” cubes
• 1/4 cup (15g) chopped cilantro
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• 1 cup (30g) crushed tortilla chips
• Optional garnishes: diced jalapeño, toasted pumpkin seeds, diced avocado, or jicama

Directions:

In a small bowl, combine the ranch dressing and taco seasoning. Stir well until fully mixed. Place the bowl in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the salad.

In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, chopped Romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced cucumber, corn kernels, sliced green onions, drained black beans, cubed cheese, chopped cilantro, and lime juice.

Gradually add the chilled dressing to the salad, tossing gently until all the ingredients are lightly coated. Be careful not to over-pour the dressing, as it may make the salad soggy.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately and sprinkle the crushed tortilla chips on top for a satisfying crunch.

If desired, garnish with diced jalapeños, toasted pumpkin seeds, diced avocado, or jicama for an extra burst of flavor and texture.

Notes:

• You can customize this Tex Mex Chopped Salad by adding or substituting ingredients according to your preferences. Feel free to include additional vegetables such as bell peppers or red onions for more variety.
• To make it a complete meal, consider adding grilled shrimp, beef, or tofu for added protein.
• This salad is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. However, keep in mind that the tortilla chips may lose their crunchiness.
• Experiment with different levels of spiciness by adjusting the amount of taco seasoning in the dressing.
• Nutritional information: This recipe provides a balanced mix of protein, fiber, and vitamins. The exact nutritional values may vary depending on specific ingredient brands and quantities used.

FAQs

Can I make this salad in advance?
While it’s best to enjoy this salad immediately after preparing it to retain its freshness and crunch, you can prepare the ingredients and dressing ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator and combine them just before serving to maintain optimal flavor and texture.

Can I make this salad vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can easily make this salad vegetarian-friendly by omitting the chicken or replacing it with a plant-based protein alternative like tofu or tempeh. Ensure all other ingredients, including the dressing, are vegetarian as well.

Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes, feel free to get creative with the cheese! While the recipe suggests using sharp cheddar or pepper jack, you can use your favorite cheese or try something new like crumbled feta or queso fresco. The choice is yours!

Is this salad spicy?
The level of spiciness in this Tex Mex Chopped Salad depends on the type and amount of taco seasoning you use. If you prefer a milder version, opt for mild taco seasoning or reduce the amount. Conversely, if you enjoy a spicy kick, choose hot taco seasoning or increase the quantity to suit your taste buds.

Can I make this salad gluten-free?
Yes, you can easily make this salad gluten-free. Ensure that the taco seasoning you use is gluten-free, or make your own blend using gluten-free spices. Additionally, choose gluten-free tortilla chips or omit them altogether and replace with gluten-free alternatives like crushed gluten-free corn tortilla chips.

Tex Mex Chopped Salad

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This vibrant and refreshing salad combines the best of Tex-Mex cuisine with a delightful mix of fresh ingredients. Get ready to indulge in a colorful medley of seasoned chicken, crisp vegetables, zesty dressing, and crunchy tortilla chips. This recipe is perfect for those looking to add a burst of excitement to their meals.

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Course Salad

Ingredients

  

Dressing:

• 1 cup 240g ranch dressing
• 2 tbsp. 30g hot or mild taco seasoning

Salad:

• 3 cups 420g cooked, cooled, and diced chicken
• 4 cups 240g chopped Romaine lettuce (about 1 head)
• 2 Roma tomatoes diced
• 1 cucumber seeded and diced
• 1 cup 150g corn kernels, fresh or frozen
• 4-5 green onions sliced
• 1 can 15 oz./425g black beans, drained and rinsed
• 4 oz. 115g sharp cheddar cheese or pepper jack, cut into ¼” cubes
• 1/4 cup 15g chopped cilantro
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• 1 cup 30g crushed tortilla chips
• Optional garnishes: diced jalapeño toasted pumpkin seeds, diced avocado, or jicama

Instructions

 

• In a small bowl, combine the ranch dressing and taco seasoning. Stir well until fully mixed. Place the bowl in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the salad.
• In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, chopped Romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced cucumber, corn kernels, sliced green onions, drained black beans, cubed cheese, chopped cilantro, and lime juice.
• Gradually add the chilled dressing to the salad, tossing gently until all the ingredients are lightly coated. Be careful not to over-pour the dressing, as it may make the salad soggy.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately and sprinkle the crushed tortilla chips on top for a satisfying crunch.
• If desired, garnish with diced jalapeños, toasted pumpkin seeds, diced avocado, or jicama for an extra burst of flavor and texture.

Notes

You can customize this Tex Mex Chopped Salad by adding or substituting ingredients according to your preferences. Feel free to include additional vegetables such as bell peppers or red onions for more variety.

To make it a complete meal, consider adding grilled shrimp, beef, or tofu for added protein.

This salad is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. However, keep in mind that the tortilla chips may lose their crunchiness.

Experiment with different levels of spiciness by adjusting the amount of taco seasoning in the dressing.

Nutritional information: This recipe provides a balanced mix of protein, fiber, and vitamins. The exact nutritional values may vary depending on specific ingredient brands and quantities used.

Keyword Tex Mex Chopped Salad