Chicken & Kale Taco Salad with Jalapeño-Avocado Ranch

5.0
(6)
6 Reviews

This healthy, super-fast salad recipe swaps out romaine for kale, giving you more than 10 times the vitamin C. Easy flavor hacks like store-bought ranch and pickled jalapeños help make a creamy, tangy and spicy dressing you'll want to drizzle on everything from salad to sliced veggies and shredded poached chicken.

By
Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD
A portrait of Breana Killeen, M.P.H., RD
Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD

Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H, RD, is a Chinese and Jewish chef and dietitian who has worked in all facets of the food world. She is a recipe developer, culinary nutritionist and marketing specialist with more than 15 years of experience creating editorial and digital content for top food and kitchen brands.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on April 22, 2024
Tested by
EatingWell Test Kitchen
Eating Well Bio Page
Tested by EatingWell Test Kitchen

The EatingWell Test Kitchen is comprised of a group of culinary professionals who develop and test our recipes. Our recipes go through a rigorous process, which includes testing by trained recipe testers, using different equipment (e.g., gas and electric stoves) and a variety of tools and techniques to make sure that it will really work when you make it at home. Testers shop major supermarkets to research availability of ingredients. Finally, a Registered Dietitian reviews each recipe to ensure that we deliver food that's not only delicious, but adheres to our nutrition guidelines as well. Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters.

Meet the EatingWell Test Kitchen
Reviewed by Dietitian
Jill Cerreta, M.S., RD
Reviewed by Dietitian Jill Cerreta, M.S., RD
Jill Cerreta was a nutrition consultant for EatingWell for a number of years, reviewing our content for factual accuracy and ensuring recipes fit our nutrition parameters. As a registered dietitian, she meets with clients at her private practice, Live Well Nutrition, based in Rutland Town, Vermont.
EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
5486621.jpg
Prep Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
25 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings
Nutrition Profile:
Nut-Free Healthy Aging Healthy Immunity Low-Sodium Low Added Sugar Soy-Free High-Fiber Egg-Free Gluten-Free Low-Calorie
Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

  • 1 ripe avocado

  • ⅓ cup ranch dressing

  • 2 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapeños

  • 1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar

  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

  • 8 cups shredded kale

  • 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast

  • 1 ½ cups tortilla chips

  • 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed

  • ½ cup chopped mango

  • ¼ cup shredded Cheddar cheese

  • ¼ cup diced red onion

  • Lime wedges & crushed red pepper for serving

Directions

  1. Combine avocado, ranch dressing, jalapeños, vinegar and pepper in a food processor. Pulse until smooth.

  2. Toss kale, chicken, tortilla chips, beans, mango, cheese and onion with the avocado mixture in a large bowl. Serve with lime wedges and crushed red pepper, if desired.

Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, July/August 2018

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

429 Calories
23g Fat
27g Carbs
30g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 2 cups
Calories 429
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 27g 10%
Dietary Fiber 8g 30%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 30g 59%
Total Fat 23g 30%
Saturated Fat 5g 24%
Cholesterol 72mg 24%
Vitamin A 3622IU 72%
Vitamin C 53mg 59%
Folate 8mcg 2%
Sodium 407mg 18%
Calcium 153mg 12%
Iron 3mg 15%
Magnesium 62mg 15%
Potassium 818mg 17%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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