Garlic Lime Chicken Taco Salad With Avocado Dressing


Last Updated: Feb, 15, 2026 by Mimi Council | This post may contain affiliate links.

This mix of grilled onions and zesty lime chicken with fresh veggies makes taco night easy and healthy any day of the week! This vibrant and fresh Garlic Lime Chicken Taco Salad with Avocado Dressing is light and bursting with flavor, making it perfect for a healthier Taco Tuesday!

If you’re looking for more organic salad recipes, check out Kale Apple Salad with Honey Dijon Dressing, Gut Healthy Chicken Salad, Roasted Cauliflower Turkey Salad With Lemon Dressing, or Chicken Sausage Greek Salad.

garlic lime chicken taco salad in a big bowl on a gray countertop with fresh ingredients around.

A Quick Look At The Recipe

  • Recipe Name: Garlic Lime Chicken Taco Salad With Avocado Dressing
  • Ready In: 45 minutes
  • Makes: 4 servings
  • Main Ingredients: chicken breasts, Romaine, avocado, tomato
  • Flavor Profile: garlic, lime, creamy avocado
  • Dietary Info: gluten free, no seed oils,
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Why You’ll Love It: street tacos in salad form

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Bursting with Flavor: This Garlic Lime Chicken Taco Salad with Avocado Dressing combines the zesty tang of lime, the robust flavor of garlic, and the savory taste of seasoned chicken, making each bite a like biting into a taco without the tortilla!
  • Gluten Free: This Garlic Lime Chicken Taco Salad is naturally gluten free, no tortillas needed.
  • Avocado Dressing: Homemade avocado dressing without seed oils is quick and easy to make!
  • Healthy Option: This salad is loaded with fresh vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, and avocados.
  • Lunch or Dinner: Whether for a light lunch or a healthy dinner, this organic salad is both filling and versatile, offering a satisfying meal any time of day.
Jump to:

I created this recipe with my friends at Organic Prairie for a healthy taco salad that you can feel good about enjoying every Taco Tuesday. As someone who loves tacos, especially Garlic Lime Chicken Street Tacos, Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Street Tacos, Chili Lime Ahi Fish Tacos and Sweet Chili Chicken Soft Tacos, this salad really does measure up!

This easy taco salad is bursting with bold and zesty flavor. Rich and caramelized grilled onions compliment the lean and zesty chicken while the creamy homemade avocado dressing ties it all together! Try serving it with Organic Homemade Salsa With Fresh Tomatoes and 3 Ingredient Mango Guacamole.

Ingredients

individual ingredients for garlic lime chicken taco salad laid out against a white background.
  • Chicken Breasts: I use organic boneless skinless chicken breasts, but thighs also work if you prefer.
  • Lime: Using organic lime provides a zesty flavor in both the chicken and in the Avocado Lime Dressing!
  • Ghee: I use organic ghee for a little richer flavor in the chicken and grilled onions, but olive oil or avocado oil also work too.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: I love using Organic Apple Cider Vinegar in dressings as it gives a tang to dressings.
  • Romaine Lettuce: I love using Romaine lettuce as a base for a big salad. You can use any kind of lettuce or mixed greens you have on hand.

*For a full list of ingredients and measurements, visit the recipe card below.

Tips

  • I'm using chicken breasts for a leaner option, but chicken thighs also work too.
  • If you have leftover taco seasoned steak or pork, you can use this protein in this salad in place of chicken.
  • You can use store bought dressing if you prefer instead of making your own, but this homemade avocado lime dressing is totally worth the couple extra minutes!
  • If you have leftovers, store each ingredient separately in a tupperware in the fridge. Then assemble the salad with leftovers when you're ready to enjoy. This will keep veggies fresh and crisp!
  • This Avocado Lime Dressing is also great as a dip for chips if you'd like to serve corn chips on the side.

How to Make Garlic Lime Chicken Taco Salad with Avocado Dressing

raw chicken breasts marinating in a baking dish with spices and lime on a white marble countertop.
  1. In a large bowl, add the garlic powder, sea salt, black pepper, and lime juice and mix together. Cut chicken breast cross grain into 2-inch-wide strips and add to the bowl and coat in spice mix. Place bowl in fridge to marinate while you make the dressing.
creamy avocado lime dressing mixed together in a glass blender on a white marble countertop.
  1. Next, you’ll make the dressing by adding the avocado, olive oil, water, apple cider vinegar, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper to a high powered blender. Blend until smooth.
garlic lime chicken in a small bowl with lettuce, tomato and avocado getting prepped for salad.
  1. Next, it’s time to cook the chicken. In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ghee and melt completely to coat the pan. Place the chicken in the pan and cook over medium/high heat until lightly browned on both sides and fully cooked with an internal temperature of 165°F, about 20 minutes.
grilled onions in a cast iron skillet on a white marble countertop.
  1. The grilled onions are my favorite part of this salad! I make them as I am cooking the chicken as they don’t take long. Slice the onion into thin slices. Add the ghee into a small skillet and melt over high heat. Add the sliced onions and reduce heat to medium. Lightly salt the onions. Continue to cook until onions are translucent and golden brown.
garlic lime chicken taco salad with creamy avocado dressing in a bowl on a wood cutting board.
  1. Last step is to put it all together. Chop romaine lettuce and add to bowls. Dice the tomato and add evenly to bowls. Cut the avocado into cubes and add to bowls. Dice the chicken into small cubes and add to the bowl along with the grilled onions. Drizzle with dressing.

Make Ahead & Storage Tips

  • You can allow chicken to marinate for up to 24 hours if needed.
  • You can prep this salad by making the chicken and grilled onions ahead of time.
  • You can also make the Avocado Lime Dressing in advance, just store in an airtight container in the fridge (like a mason jar).
  • Then just chop veggies and assemble this easy taco salad!
  • If making ahead or you have leftovers, store each ingredient separately in an airtight container in the fridge. Then assemble salad when ready to enjoy.

Garlic Lime Chicken Taco Salad with Avocado Dressing FAQ's

Can I make this taco salad with steak?

Yes, this salad would be delicious with steak or even pork too. You can even use leftover taco meat to make up this easy taco salad.

Do I need to make the grilled onions?

No, if you prefer raw onions, you can simply dice onions and add to your salad.

How should I store leftovers?

If you have leftovers, store each ingredient in a separate airtight container in the fridge and you can put together another salad the next day.

More Organic Salad Recipes

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garlic lime chicken taco salad in a big bowl on a gray countertop with fresh ingredients around.

Garlic Lime Chicken Taco Salad with Avocado Dressing

Mimi Council
This Garlic Lime Chicken Taco Salad with Avocado Dressing is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines the zesty tang of lime and the bold taste of garlic with tender, seasoned chicken and grilled onions. This salad is a loaded with fresh ingredients that are both healthy and incredibly tasty!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Makes 4 servings
Calories 655 kcal

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Blender
  • Cast Iron Skillet

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken

  • 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 lime (juice)
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon ghee

For the Dressing

  • 1 avocado
  • 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 6 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro
  • 1 lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

For the Onions

  • 1 tablespoon ghee
  • 1 yellow onion
  • Fine sea salt

For the Salad

  • 2 hearts Romain lettuce
  • 2 avocados
  • 1 tomato

Instructions
 

  • To make the chicken: In a large bowl, add the garlic powder, sea salt, black pepper, and lime juice and mix together. Cut chicken breast cross grain into 2-inch-wide strips and add to the bowl and coat in spice mix. Place bowl in fridge to marinate while you make the dressing.
  • To make the dressing: In a high-powered blender, add the avocado, olive oil, water, apple cider vinegar, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
  • To make the chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ghee and melt completely to coat the pan. Place the chicken in the pan and cook over medium/high heat until lightly browned on both sides and fully cooked with an internal temperature of 165°F, about 20 minutes.
  • To make the grilled onions: Slice the onion into thin slices. Add the ghee into a small skillet and melt over high heat. Add the sliced onions and reduce heat to medium. Lightly salt the onions. Continue to cook until onions are translucent and golden brown.
  • To make the salad: Chop romaine lettuce and add to bowls. Dice the tomato and add evenly to bowls. Cut the avocado into cubes and add to bowls. Dice the chicken into small cubes and add to the bowl along with the grilled onions. Drizzle with dressing.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Tips
  • I'm using chicken breasts for a leaner option, but chicken thighs also work too.
  • If you have leftover taco seasoned steak or pork, you can use this protein in this salad in place of chicken.
  • You can use store bought dressing if you prefer instead of making your own, but this homemade avocado lime dressing is totally worth the couple extra minutes!
  • If you have leftovers, store each ingredient separately in a tupperware in the fridge. Then assemble the salad with leftovers when you're ready to enjoy. This will keep veggies fresh and crisp!
  • This Avocado Lime Dressing is also great as a dip for chips if you'd like to serve corn chips on the side.
High Altitude — Follow the recipe as noted.

Nutrition

Calories: 655kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 28gFat: 54gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 33gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 92mgSodium: 1311mgPotassium: 1327mgFiber: 12gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 589IUVitamin C: 33mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 2mg
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One response to “Garlic Lime Chicken Taco Salad With Avocado Dressing”

  1. Mimi Council says:

    5 stars
    Obsessed with this salad, it’s so good!

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