Chicken Taco Salad With Quesadilla Croutons Recipes

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the onions, red bell peppers, garlic and jalapeno and saute until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the chicken and saute until browned, breaking it up with the back of a wooden spoon as you cook. Stir in the chili powder and cumin and let toast for a few stirs. Add the beans and let cook until warmed through.
• Mix the yogurt and salsa together in a small bowl.
• Toss the chopped lettuce, cherry tomatoes, tortilla chips, cheese, cilantro, sauteed chicken and bean mixture all in a large bowl and dress with the yogurt and salsa.

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.

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.