Best Southwest Taco Salad Recipes

SOUTHWEST SALAD TACO CUPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Warm tortillas so they are pliable. Lightly spray six, 8-ounce custard cups with nonstick cooking spray and gently press tortilla into each cup. Bake 10 minutes or until brown and crisp. Carefully remove tortillas from cups and cool on rack. Repeat for remaining tortillas.
• Stir together Taco Ranch Dressing and salsa. Moisten chicken with 1 tablespoon prepared taco dressing mixture. Combine cheeses in small bowl, set aside. Coarsely chop salad blend and combine with dressing mixture. Toss with cheeses and chicken.
• Fill each tortilla cup with heaping 1/3 cup salad mixture. Garnish with black olives, tortilla strips and one small dollop sour-cream.

SOUTHWEST CHICKEN TACO SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Stir paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, white pepper, cumin, oregano, thyme, and salt together in a bowl.
• Rub spice mixture into each chicken breast to coat thoroughly.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Cook chicken breasts in hot oil until browned, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a baking dish. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until chicken breasts are no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 20 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Slice chicken into strips.
• Fill each tostada shell with 1/2 cup lettuce. Divide chicken, salsa, avocados, Cheddar cheese, and olives between the tostada shells. Top each salad with ranch dressing.

SOUTHWEST TACO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• 1. In a large bowl, whisk together oil, lime juice, chili powders, cumin, salt and garlic. Add chicken and place into the refrigerator to allow to sit while pasta cooks, cans are opened and veggies are chopped.
• 2. Cook pasta 8-10 min and drain well. Rinse under cool water to stop cooking process and leave in strainer to completely drain and cool while gathering ingredients.
• 3. To the bowl with the chicken, add pasta and toss to coat. Add in olives, corn, kidney beans, green bell pepper and 1/4c of the cilantro. Refrigerate or serve immediately. Add cheese and give a quick stir right before serving. Garnish with remaining 1/4c cilantro right before service. This is best making a day prior and tossing in the cheese and topping with the cilantro at the last minute.
• 4. Per 1 cup serving: Calories 292 Total Fat 11.46g Saturated Fat 2.8g Cholesterol 12mg Sodium 275.97mg Total Carbohydrate 30.34g Dietary Fiber 4.2g Sugars 4.24g Protein 15.52g

SOUTHWEST TACO SALAD

Steps:

• Toss romaine with next 4 ingredients.
• Drizzle with dressing; sprinkle with cilantro.
• Stand chips around edge of bowl.