Chicken Picadillo Taco Salad is a flavor packed twist on traditional tacos. This 30 minute meal features juicy ground chicken, vibrant tomatoes, and a handful of savory seasonings. Get ready to enjoy a fresh and satisfying salad that will keep everyone at the table asking for more!
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When it comes to easy and delicious meals, our Chicken Picadillo Taco Salad takes the crown. Packed with flavor and made with simple ingredients, this recipe is a game-changer for busy weeknights. With the perfect balance of tender ground chicken, fresh tomatoes, and briny olives, this salad offers a unique twist on traditional tacos.
If you’re looking for more Mexican chicken recipes, try these Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos, Tex Mex Chicken Puffs and Mexican Chicken Bake.
Why We Love This Chicken Taco Salad Recipe
This picadillo taco salad combines tender chicken, juicy tomatoes, and briny olives that create a harmonious blend of savory and tangy flavors. Whether you’re seeking an easy weeknight meal or a crowd-pleasing dish for gatherings, this recipe will delight your taste buds and solve your dinner dilemmas with ease.
- 30 Minute Meal: In just 30 minutes, you can have this satisfying and delicious picadillo taco salad on the table. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights when you need to whip up something tasty in a hurry.
- Adaptable: Whether you’re following a low-carb, meat-free, or dairy-free diet, this recipe can easily adjust to meet your dietary needs and preferences.
- Makes Great Leftovers: Leftovers from this recipe can transform into various dishes, such as filling for tacos, toppings for baked potatoes, or even a tasty filling for stuffed bell peppers.
Notes for Chicken Picadillo Ingredients
- Chicken: Ground chicken is a lean and versatile protein that forms the flavorful base of this taco salad. Its mild taste allows it to absorb the delicious seasonings and spices, making it a great choice for this recipe.
- Tomatoes: Using diced tomatoes adds a burst of freshness and enhances the overall flavor of the salad. Be sure not to drain the tomatoes to fully enjoy their juicy goodness.
- Olives: Olives provide a briny and tangy flavor that compliments the other ingredients in the salad. For the best results, use green olives with pimentos.
- Potatoes: Red potatoes add a delightful texture and earthy flavor to the salad. Leaving the skin on not only saves time but also provides additional nutrients and a rustic appeal to the dish.
See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
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Variations and Substitutions for Tacos de Picadillo
By making a few tweaks and substitutions, you can create unique flavor profiles and adapt the recipe to suit your dietary preferences or ingredient availability. Whether you’re looking to add a new twist or experiment with different ingredients, these suggestions will help you make the recipe truly your own.
- Salad Mix: For a convenient and flavorful twist, you can replace the traditional lettuce with a pre-packaged salad mix. It’s a great way to elevate the dish and introduce new flavors without the need for additional chopping or preparation.
- Cheese Blends: If you’re looking to enhance the cheesy goodness of your taco salad, consider using a Mexican cheese blend instead of the usual shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack.
How to Make Picadillo Chicken Taco Salad
This Chicken Picadillo Taco Salad recipe is incredibly easy to make! With just a few simple steps and minimal prep time, you can have a delicious and satisfying meal on the table in no time. This chicken taco salad recipe is truly amazing.
These are the basic steps for making picadillo chicken taco salad. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
Step 1: Cook Chicken
Place a skillet over medium heat and add in the ground chicken. Season the chicken with the spices and then add in the chopped onion. Cook meat and then drain.
Step 2: Add in Ingredients and Simmer
Add in the potatoes, tomatoes, plums, and olives to the skillet. Stir to combine all the ingredients. Bring mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.
Step 3: Finish Cooking and Make Salad
Cover the skillet and cook for 10 minutes until potatoes are soft and tender. Uncover the skillet and allow some of the liquids to evaporate. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Place you chopped lettuce on a plate and scatter the tostadas around the plate. Layer the chicken mixture, cheeses, green onion, and cilantro.
Recipe FAQs for Picadillo Taco
Expert Tips for Making Picadillo Chicken Taco Salad Recipe
Looking for an easy and delicious dinner option that’s full of flavor? This picadillo taco salad recipe is perfect for those who are short on time but still want a meal that’s both satisfying and tasty. We’ll guide you through each step of the process so that you can create a dish that’s sure to impress.
- Different Meats: While our recipe calls for ground chicken, feel free to get creative and try different meats to suit your taste preferences. Ground turkey or ground beef can be excellent alternatives.
- Taco Seasoning: For an extra burst of flavor, consider adding in some homemade taco seasoning to the chicken. It’s a simple process that allows you to adjust the spice level and tailor the flavors to your preference.
- Taco Bowls: If you want to switch things up and add a fun presentation element to your meal, consider making taco bowls instead of using tostada shells. The taco bowls provide a crunchy and edible vessel for your salad, adding a delightful twist.
What to Serve with Chicken Picadillo Taco Salad
Chicken Picadillo Taco Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground chicken
- ½ cup Red onion, chopped
- 2 teaspoons Coriander
- 2 teaspoons Cumin
- ½ teaspoon Salt flakes
- 14.5 ounces Diced tomatoes, can, not drained
- 1 cup Red potatoes, skin on, chopped small
- ¼ cup Dry plums, chopped
- ¼ cup Green olives, pimento stuffed, quartered
- Tostada shells, broken in quarters
- 1 Lettuce head, shredded
- ½ cup Monterey jack cheese, shredded
- Green onion, chopped, garnish
- Cilantro, chopped, garnish
Instructions
- Cook ground chicken with onion and seasonings in a skillet until the meat is fully cooked. Drain meat if needed.
- Add in potatoes, tomatoes, plums, and olives and stir to combine all ingredients.
- Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce to a simmer.
- Keep the skillet covered and cook for 10 minutes until the potatoes become tender.
- Uncover the skillet and let the liquids evaporate. Take off from the stove and let it cool down a bit.
- Arrange tostada pieces and lettuce on a serving platter, and place chicken mix, cheese, green onion, and cilantro on top of the lettuce.
Expert Tips
- Different Meats: While our recipe calls for ground chicken, feel free to get creative and try different meats to suit your taste preferences. Ground turkey or ground beef can be excellent alternatives.
- Taco Seasoning: For an extra burst of flavor, consider adding in some homemade taco seasoning to the chicken. It’s a simple process that allows you to adjust the spice level and tailor the flavors to your preference.
- Taco Bowls: If you want to switch things up and add a fun presentation element to your meal, consider making taco bowls instead of using tostada shells. The taco bowls provide a crunchy and edible vessel for your salad, adding a delightful twist.
Estimated Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
This recipe is my personal adaption of an ethnic-inspired recipe. It is not intended to be an authentic recipe. I’ve recreated this recipe because I enjoy the flavors and I want to encourage my readers to expand their tastes and try new flavor combinations. The recipe, ingredients, and processes may have been adapted to make the recipe accessible to the average American. I have provided links to authentic versions of the recipe in the post above. I encourage you to visit these pages and learn more about the traditional version(s) of this recipe.