Chicken Taco Salad With Quesadilla Croutons Recipes

CHICKEN TACO SALAD WITH QUESADILLA "CROUTONS"

Steps:

• Combine the vinegar, sugar, 3 tablespoons water and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the mixture boils and the sugar dissolves, 2 to 3 minutes. (Alternatively, heat the ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl in a microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute.) Put the jalapeños in a small heatproof bowl. Pour the hot pickling liquid over the jalapeños and allow to cool to room temperature, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle both sides with the taco seasoning, salt and pepper.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until the taco seasoning is toasted and almost blackened and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the middle of each chicken breast registers 165 degrees F, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and allow to cool slightly. Wipe out the saute pan with a paper towel.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in the saute pan over medium-low heat until shimmering. Add 2 tortillas, top each with 1/2 cup cheese and a second tortilla and cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook until golden brown and the cheese melts, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board, allow to cool for 1 to 2 minutes, then cut into 1/2-inch squares.
• Put the greens and any crunchy toppings included in the salad kits in a large bowl. Add the chopped cilantro and pepitas if desired.
• Drain the jalapeños from the pickling liquid and add to the salad. Add the quesadilla croutons and avocado. Drizzle or toss with the dressing included in the salad kits. Slice the chicken into strips. Serve the salad topped with the chicken.

ROAST CHICKEN SALAD WITH CROUTONS AND SHALLOT DRESSING

Steps:

• Make the dressing: In a bowl, combine shallots and vinegar and set aside 10 to 30 minutes to soften. Add 2 big pinches of salt and a dozen grinds of black pepper. Whisk in the oil and then the parsley. Taste and add more oil, salt and pepper as needed.
• Make the croutons: Gently warm the olive oil in a skillet. When a piece of bread sizzles when dropped into the pan, add all the bread and cook slowly, stirring, until golden brown on all sides. Sprinkle with salt, transfer croutons to a bowl and wipe out the pan.
• In the same pan, add the cooled chicken juices (they may have jelled). Don't worry if your chicken doesn't have juices; the salad will still be excellent. Add a tablespoon of water to pan and heat juices until smooth and runny. Dice or tear the chicken into bite-size pieces.
• In a large bowl, toss the greens well with about 2/3 of the dressing. Taste and add more if needed. Divide greens among 3 or 4 bowls or plates. On top, divide the chicken, then the croutons, then the juices. Using a vegetable peeler, shave 3 or 4 thin, wide slices of cheese on top of each salad. Spoon a little more dressing on top and grind pepper over. Serve immediately.

SLOW-COOKER CHICKEN TACO SALAD

Steps:

• Mix seasonings; rub over chicken. Place in a 3-qt. slow cooker. Add broth. Cook, covered, on low 3-4 hours or until chicken is tender., Remove chicken; cool slightly. Shred with 2 forks. Serve over romaine; top as desired.

CHICKEN TACO SALAD

Steps:

• In a large nonstick skillet, bring water to a boil. Reduce heat; add chicken. Poach, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes or until no longer pink. Drain and cool slightly. Cut chicken into cubes., In a small bowl, combine the cilantro, onion, lime juice, oil, pepper sauce, lime peel, taco seasoning and chicken. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. , Just before serving, toss the chicken mixture with the lettuce, tomato, cheese and peanuts.

GRILLED CHICKEN TACO SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Mix black beans, salsa, 1/2 cup cilantro, and lime juice in a bowl; set aside.
• Stir chili powder, cumin, coriander, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, and olive oil in a bowl until smooth; rub mixture over chicken breasts.
• Cook chicken breasts on preheated grill until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 10 to 12 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). While the chicken is cooking, place tortillas on grill and grill until lightly brown on both sides, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Transfer chicken to a cutting board and slice into long thin strips. Divide chicken strips over tortillas and top with bean mixture, lettuce, and remaining 1/2 cup cilantro. Serve with avocado, lime wedges, and sour cream.

CHICKEN TACO SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Arrange chicken in a single layer in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Season chicken with 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder and salt. Stir together orange juice, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon oil, and half of the garlic; pour over chicken. Bake, basting occasionally, until chicken is cooked, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool slightly, 10 minutes; shred with two forks.
• Meanwhile, char corn over flame of a gas stove, turning with tongs, until blackened and blistering, about 3 minutes per cob. Transfer to a plate until cool enough to handle. Remove kernels: Working 1 ear at a time, stand corn in a wide shallow bowl; with a sharp knife, slice downward to remove kernels. Season with salt.
• Soak onion in remaining 3 tablespoons lime juice and pickling liquid, about 5 minutes. Whisk in 1/3 cup oil and remaining 1/8 teaspoon ancho chili powder. Season with salt. Set aside dressing.
• In a medium skillet, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil over medium. Add remaining garlic, cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add beans; toss to coat and heat through, about 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in 2 tablespoons lime dressing.
• In a mixing bowl, toss lettuce and chopped cilantro with 6 tablespoons dressing. Season with salt. Divide lettuce among 4 bowls. Line half of each bowl with 1/2 cup tortilla chips. Divide chicken, corn, beans, tomato, avocado, and cheese among 4 bowls. Top with cilantro leaves and pickled jalapenos. Drizzle with additional dressing, if desired. Serve immediately.