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An overhead shot of two tostada shells topped with grilled chicken and tostada salad on a blue speckled plate atop a blue surface. Guacamole, sour cream and pico de gallo sit on the plate alongside the tostadas.

Zesty Lime Chicken Tostada Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

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  • Author: Jess Larson
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: serves 4
  • Category: Entrée Salads & Bowl Recipes, Main Dishes
  • Method: Grilling & Smoking
  • Cuisine: Tex-Mex and Mexican-Inspired, American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Inspired by my go-to order at The Cheesecake Factory, this Zesty Lime Chicken Tostada Salad is layered with crunchy tostadas, creamy refried black beans, juicy grilled lime chicken, and loads of fresh, feel-good veggies—all tossed in a zippy cilantro lime vinaigrette. An instant favorite!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4-8 tostada shells
  • one 14-ounce can refried black beans
  • zesty lime chicken (below)
  • tossed salad (below)
  • cilantro lime vinaigrette (below)
  • for serving, as desired: salsa of choice, sour cream, guacamole, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, etc.

for the zesty lime chicken:

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced in half lengthwise (approx. 1 ½2 pounds total)
  • 1 large, juicy lime, zested and juiced (approx. 3 tablespoons)
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil or high smoke point oil of choice
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • kosher salt and ground black pepper, to season

for the cilantro lime vinaigrette:

  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon agave nectar (can sub honey or pure maple syrup)
  • 1 large, juicy lime, zested and juiced (approx. 3 tablespoons)
  • 6-8 sprigs cilantro (approx. ¼ cup packed leaves and tender stems)
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • kosher salt and ground black pepper, to season

for the tossed salad:

  • 4 cups chopped lettuce or greens of choice
  • handful cilantro leaves and tender stems (1 cup lightly packed)
  • 4 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 ears sweet corn, husked and kernels sliced off of cob
  • 1 Hass avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, de-seeded as desired and finely diced
  • 1 Roma tomato, deseeded and finely diced
  • ¼ red onion, finely diced
  • ½ lime, juiced
  • kosher salt and ground black pepper, to season


Instructions

  1. Preheat the grill: Prepare the grill for medium-high direct heat grilling, about 450-500 degrees F. Once preheated, clean the cooking surface with a wire brush. (If you do not have access to an outdoor grill, you can also preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat.)Weber Genesis II Propane Grill on a deck.
  2. Season the chicken breasts: As the grill preheats, prep the chicken for the grill. Place the halved chicken breasts in a large bowl or baking dish. Drizzle avocado oil over top, then season with lime zest and juice, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, and ground black pepper as desired. Toss to combine, coating the chicken well. Set aside.An overhead shot of marinated chicken breasts in a white casserole dish atop a light blue surface alongside a dish of cumin and pepper.
  3. Grill the zesty lime chicken: Place the seasoned chicken on the preheated grill, close the lid, and grill 4-5 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through. Transfer the zesty lime chicken to a plate or small baking sheet and set aside.An overhead shot of grilled chicken in a white casserole dish atop a blue surface. The dish is surrounded by spices and juiced limes.
  4. Blend the cilantro lime vinaigrette: Add all listed ingredients to a small blender. Season with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and ground black pepper as desired. Blend until the vinaigrette is smooth and emulsified. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Set aside, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Learn More! 5-Minute Zippy Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette.An overhead shot of a large salad bowl filled with corn, lettuce, cilantro, avocado, tomato, red onion, jalapeno and green onion atop a blue surface. The bowl is surrounded by dishes of salt and pepper, red onion, a juice lime, cilantro and vinaigrette.
  5. Toss the salad: Place the salad greens in a large bowl, topping with the cilantro, green onions, sweet corn, avocado, jalapeno, tomato, and onion. Spritz with fresh lime juice and season with a hefty pinch of kosher salt. Drizzle cilantro lime vinaigrette over top, reserving some dressing for serving. Toss to combine well. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Set aside.An overhead shot of a large salad bowl filled with mixed corn, lettuce, cilantro, avocado, tomato, red onion, jalapeno and green onion atop a blue surface. The bowl is surrounded by dishes of salt and pepper, red onion, a juice lime, cilantro and vinaigrette.
  6. Chicken tostada salad assembly: Warm the tostada shells and beans according to package directions as desired. Slice the zesty lime chicken into thin strips or bite-sized pieces. Build the chicken tostada salad by spreading beans over the tostada shells, topping with zesty lime chicken, piling the tossed salad over top. Serve immediately with additional toppings like sour cream, salsa, or guacamole as desired. Enjoy!A side shot of two tostada shells piled high with grilled chicken and tostada salad on a white and blue plate atop a blue surface. A jar of cilantro lime vinaigrette can be seen in the background.

Notes

Jess’ Tips and Tricks:

  • Tostada shells: For convenience, I typically use store-bought tostadas, which you can find near tortillas in the grocery store. If you feel inspired to make homemade tostadas, my friend Isabel has a great homemade, oven-baked tostada shell recipe.
  • Simple Recipe Variations: The beauty of a big, fresh salad is its flexibility—feel free to swap ingredients in to suit your cravings—bell pepper is a fun swap for sweet corn, add shredded pepperjack or grated cotija cheese in place of avocado, or swap the creamy beans with a batch of guacamole. You really can’t go wrong—get creative and have fun with it!

Make-Ahead and Storage:

  • Prepared chicken tostada salad components will keep, stored in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator, for up to 4 days. If desired, reheat the zesty lime chicken in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through, then assemble tostada salads as desired.