Best 3 Cilantro Lime Chicken Taco Salad With Creamy Baja Catalina Dressing Recipes

Looking for a refreshing and flavorful salad that's perfect for a light lunch or dinner? Look no further than this Cilantro Lime Chicken Taco Salad with Creamy Baja Catalina Dressing. This vibrant salad features tender grilled chicken, crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and a variety of other fresh vegetables, all tossed in a zesty cilantro lime dressing. The creamy Baja Catalina dressing adds a touch of sweetness and tang, while the crispy tortilla strips provide a satisfying crunch. If you're looking for a vegetarian option, simply omit the chicken and add some extra beans or tofu. You can also customize the salad to your liking by adding or removing any ingredients you don't care for. With its bright flavors and healthy ingredients, this salad is sure to become a favorite.

This article also includes recipes for the Cilantro Lime Dressing, Creamy Baja Catalina Dressing, and Crispy Tortilla Strips, so you can make the entire salad from scratch. The Cilantro Lime Dressing is a simple but flavorful vinaigrette that's perfect for any type of salad. The Creamy Baja Catalina Dressing is a bit more complex, but it's worth the effort. It's made with a combination of mayonnaise, sour cream, ketchup, mustard, and spices, and it has a slightly sweet and tangy flavor. The Crispy Tortilla Strips are a great way to add a crunchy texture to any salad or soup. They're also a fun and easy snack.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

CILANTRO LIME CHICKEN TACO SALAD WITH CREAMY BAJA CATALINA DRESSING

Cilantro Lime Chicken Taco Salad with Creamy Baja Catalina Dressing image

This Cilantro Lime Chicken Taco Salad is flavor/texture heaven! This Cilantro Lime Chicken Taco Salad is bursting with tender, juicy chicken, all your favorite fiestalicious salad fixings including crunchy, salty tortilla chips and the zesty, sweet and the tangy Creamy Baja Catalina Dressing is out of this world delicious! You won't be able to stop munching this Cilantro Lime Chicken Taco Salad!

Provided by Jen

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 Recipe Cilantro Lime Chicken
1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered ( (or 2 roma tomatoes, chopped))
1 cup black beans (drained and rinsed)
corn from 2 ears sweet corn ((raw))
1/2 cup finely grated sharp cheddar cheese (or more to taste)
2 avocados, chopped
Tortilla Chips, slightly crushed or tortilla strips (to taste (the more the better!))
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons sugar (more or less to taste (start with less))
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream ((may sub yogurt))
1 tablespoons reserved Cilantro Lime Marinade ((in directions))

Steps:

Prepare Cilantro Lime Chicken according to directions, reserving 1 tablespoon marinade for dressing. Slice or chop cooked chicken.
Meanwhile, whisk together all of the Dressing ingredients in a medium bowl, including the 1 tablespoon reserved Cilantro Lime Marinade. Store in the refrigerator. Best if chilled at least 30 minutes. May keep in an airtight container up to 7 days.
To assemble, add the Salad Ingredients to a large bowl and toss to combine. Drizzle individual servings with desired amount of dressing. Season with additional salt, pepper, hot sauce and/or lime juice to taste.

CILANTRO LIME CHICKEN TACOS

Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos image

A cilantro lime vinaigrette has two jobs in a weeknight taco recipe. First, it?s the marinade for the pan seared chicken filling. Then it turns sour cream into a special topping.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories main-dish

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2/3 cup Food Network Kitchen™ Inspirations Mexican Style Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
16 corn tortillas
Shredded lettuce, diced red onion, sliced radishes, guacamole and whole cilantro leaves, for serving

Steps:

Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper in a large bowl. Then toss with 1/2 cup of the Mexican Style Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette. Marinate for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, stir together the sour cream with the remaining 2 tablespoons vinaigrette.
Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken along with the marinade and cook until slightly browned and cooked through, about 7 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and chop. Season with salt.
Warm the tortillas as the label directs. Using 2 stacked tortillas per taco, fill with the chicken, top with the cilantro-lime sour cream and the toppings of your choice.

CILANTRO LIME CHICKEN TACO SALAD WITH CREAMY BAJA CATALINA DRESSING RECIPE

Cilantro Lime Chicken Taco Salad with Creamy Baja Catalina Dressing Recipe image

Provided by á-5080

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1 Recipe Cilantro Lime Chicken
1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered (or 2 roma tomatoes, chopped)
1 cup black beans drained and rinsed
corn from 2 ears sweet corn (raw)
1/2 cup finely grated sharp cheddar cheese or more to taste
2 avocados, chopped
Tortilla Chips, slightly crushed or tortilla strips to taste (the more the better!)
Creamy Baja Catalina Dressing
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons sugar more or less to taste (start with less)
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream (may sub yogurt)
1 tablespoons reserved Cilantro Lime Marinade (in directions)

Steps:

Prepare Cilantro Lime Chicken according to directions, reserving 1 tablespoon marinade for dressing. Slice or chop cooked chicken. Meanwhile, whisk together all of the Dressing ingredients in a medium bowl, including the 1 tablespoon reserved Cilantro Lime Marinade. Store in the refrigerator. Best if chilled at least 30 minutes. May keep in an airtight container up to 7 days. To assemble, add the Salad Ingredients to a large bowl and toss to combine. Drizzle individual servings with desired amount of dressing. Season with additional salt, pepper, hot sauce and/or lime juice to taste. Recipe Notes *For more of a vinaigrette, you may sub the mayo and sour cream for canola oil

Tips:

Use fresh ingredients: Fresh cilantro, lime juice, and avocado add a burst of flavor to this salad. If you can, try to use them when they are in season for the best flavor.
Don't overcook the chicken: The chicken should be cooked through but still juicy. Overcooked chicken will be tough and dry.
Make sure the dressing is well blended: The dressing should be smooth and creamy. If it is too thick, add a little more lime juice or water. If it is too thin, add a little more sour cream.
Serve the salad immediately: This salad is best served fresh. The longer it sits, the more the dressing will wilt the lettuce.

Conclusion:

This cilantro lime chicken taco salad with creamy Baja Catalina dressing is a delicious and healthy meal that is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. It is packed with flavor and nutrients, and it is sure to please everyone at your table. So next time you are looking for a healthy and satisfying meal, give this salad a try!