Taco Salad and Cilantro Lime Ranch

I think this is the ultimate taco salad recipe. We eat a lot of Mexican/Southwestern food in my home because I love the delicious flavors in it. This taco salad is full of exciting flavors that all blend so perfectly together. Anyone who tries this salad will like the recipe. It is so simple and easy to make! I love a good slow cooker recipe once in a while. Try it and enjoy healthy food.

Yield: Serves 6

Ingredients

·         2 large skinless boneless chicken breast halves

·         1 1/2 cups fresh salsa  

·         1 1/2 tbsp taco seasoning mix, homemade or store bought

·         1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

·         1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

·         1 cup frozen corn kernels

·         1 head green leaf or iceberg lettuce, cut or torn into bite size pieces

·         1 1/2 cups shredded Monterrey Jack cheese or Cheddar cheese (I use a blend of both)

·         3 Roma tomatoes, diced

·         2 avocados, diced if you like

·         1 recipe cilantro lime ranch, recipe follows

·         6 taco salad bowls or fried flour tortilla chips

·         Sour cream, for serving

Cilantro Lime Ranch

·         1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp mayonnaise

·         1/4 cup sour cream

·         1/4 cup milk

·         1 Tbsp buttermilk ranch seasoning mix

·         1/4 cup cilantro (about a small handful)

·         1 small clove garlic

·         Juice of 1/2 - 1 lime

Directions

• Place chicken in a slow cooker, pour salsa over chicken and sprinkle with taco seasoning. Place lid over slow cooker and cook on low heat for 5 hours. Remove chicken from slow cooker (leaving salsa broth in slow cooker), shred chicken and set aside. Pour black beans, pinto beans and corn kernels into salsa broth in slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Gently stir in chicken and cook on low heat for about 15 minutes until all ingredients are heated through. To prepare each salad, layer flour tortilla chips, lettuce, chicken mixture (scoop chicken mixture out of slow cooker with a slotted spoon), cheese, avocados, tomatoes, sour cream and drizzle with cilantro lime ranch. Serve immediately.

Cilantro Lime Ranch

• Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until all ingredients are finely chopped. Store in refrigerator.