I will start this post by saying this is the best chicken taco salad and the most healthy AF Taco Salad! When you try this easy and healthy taco salad recipe, you’ll be making it every single week!
If you’re looking for more healthy salads, check out my Healthy Asian Salad with No Sugar, Easy Quinoa Salad, or my Roasted Cauliflower & Turkey Salad.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You guys are going to seriously love this Healthy AF Taco Salad! I have been making this for months and I literally make it almost every week, and it’s still insanely delicious. I love easy recipes that you never get sick of and this is definitely one of them!
This is the best chicken taco salad – even if you aren’t trying to eat healthy. So, let me just say that. But, most of us are trying to eat healthy haha. So, this Healthy AF Taco Salad starts with seasoned chicken. I use boneless and skinless chicken thighs here as the thighs will provide more flavor. You can use breasts if you prefer (and want more lean meat).
I add Romaine lettuce, kale, red pepper, yellow onion, avocado, cilantro, lime and salsa to this salad. It has no salad dressing, as the salsa acts as the dressing. Usually, I make my Homemade Salsa as most salsa has sugar in it (which is unnecessary I think). I like my sugar to be in things where it totally belongs, like cookies and cakes.
But, when I’m too lazy to make Homemade Salsa, then we buy this Hatch Organic Medium Salsa and it’s so good! This organic salsa has no sugar, it has just the right amount of heat, and it’s perfect on this salad as a dressing!
I use a mix of Romaine lettuce and kale for lots of good nutrients. I also use red pepper, which is the best color pepper to buy as it has the most health benefits! Plus it lends amazing flavor to this salad. I add the classic onion, cilantro, avocado, and lime – just like you would on tacos. And you have a Healthy AF Taco Salad that I believe is the best chicken taco salad!
Ingredients for Healthy AF Taco Salad
Frontier Co-Op Organic Veggie Grill Seasoning
Organic Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs (I got at Costco)
Organic Romaine Lettuce
Organic Kale (I buy the big bag of prewashed kale leaves for ease)
Organic Avocado
Organic Red Pepper (or red mini bell peppers)
Organic Yellow Onion
Organic Fresh Cilantro
How to Make Healthy AF Taco Salad
Step 1
Cook the chicken. I do this in a skillet over the stovetop. But, with grilling season coming up, you can also cook on the grill too. And if you’re feeling lazy, just bake it in your oven. Any way works!
Step 2
Chop your veggies.
Step 3
Assemble the salad: Add the chopped Romaine, kale, red pepper, onion, cilantro, avocado to a bowl. Add a big scoop of salsa, or two or three, and squeeze a wedge of lime over the top. That’s it!
FAQ’s
Can I use another seasoning on the chicken?
Yes of course. But, don’t let the name of this seasoning sway you. Yes, it’s called Veggie Grill Seasoning, but it is so insanely good on this taco salad! You could also use my Simple Taco Seasoning Recipe as well.
Can I use chicken breasts?
Absolutely! I make this with breasts sometimes too. It’s delicious either way! But you get a little more flavor and fat with the thighs and for a salad, I think that’s key.
Can I cook the chicken in the oven or on the grill?
Yes! If you want to cook the chicken in the oven I’d advise not cutting it and baking the whole thighs on a sheet pan at 425°F for about 20 to 25 minutes. Make sure the internal temperature is 165°F. You can also use the grill, same thing, I would cook them whole and then cut afterwards.
Can I use another lettuce?
Yes! Iceberg also works in place of Romaine. You could also add green cabbage as well, that would also be delicious. I chose Romaine and kale as I love this mix and it’s loaded with nutrients!
Can I use another salsa?
Yes! Use what salsa you like. I’m just obsessed with this Hatch Salsa, but if you have a favorite, use that.
Can I add other stuff?
Yes! Add sour cream or tortilla chips, both of these would be delicious with this salad!
Why go organic?
You may be wondering why I push organic ingredients for everything, even savory and healthy dishes. Organic ingredients go beyond just health and wellness, and contribute so much to the taste and flavor of a recipe. So, if you think that you’re making something healthy and buying fruits, veggies, or meats so maybe you don’t need to spend the extra to go organic here – let me sway your thinking.
Organic ingredients are made in a more pure way, therefore using no additives, no GMOs, and minimal ingredients. This really allows the true ingredients to shine – and because of that their flavor shines through. Therefore, organic ingredients are more flavorful than their non organic counterparts. So, just because it’s already a healthy recipe, or you’re already buying good for you ingredients – it doesn’t mean you can skip organic! Trust me here, and make the switch. Your body and your taste buds will thank you!
So, I highly recommend that you buy the best organic ingredients for this recipe! You can also shop my Amazon Storefront for all my favorite organic ingredients here. Tip – hover over each ingredient to see the name. And if you want to learn more about organic foods and the difference, read my post here on Food Labels and What They Mean.
Try this insanely easy and Healthy AF Taco Salad! This is the best chicken taco salad ever!
Ingredients
1 pound organic boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 tablespoon organic extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 tablespoon Frontier Co-Op Organic Veggie Grill Seasoning
2 hearts organic Romaine lettuce, chopped
2 cups organic kale, chopped
Half organic yellow onion, diced
1 organic red pepper, diced
1 organic avocado, cut into cubes
1 bunch organic fresh cilantro, diced
1 organic lime, cut into wedges
Organic salsa
Directions
- Chop the chicken into 1 inch cubes. Add the olive oil, salt and veggie grills seasoning to the chicken and coat completely.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the chicken and cook heat until lightly browned and fully cooked with an internal temperature of 165°F, about 20 minutes.
- Once the chicken is cooked and veggies are cut, assemble salads.
- In a large bowl, add romaine, kale, onion, red pepper, avocado, cilantro, and a big scoop of salsa. Squeeze lime juice over the salad and mix together.
Notes
- High Altitude – Follow the recipe as noted.
Did you make this recipe?
Make sure to tag @mimibakescookies and @mimibakesphotos on Instagram!
Did you like this post?
Make sure to check out my Pork & Peppers Lettuce Cups and share it with someone who think may enjoy it too!
