6 Salad Sins Most Home Cooks Make

Ingredients

• 8 cups Romaine Lettuce (torn into bite‑size pieces, whole head preferred)
• 2 cups Chicken Breast (grilled, sliced; seasoned with taco seasoning)
• 6 strips Bacon Strips (cooked crisp and crumbled)
• 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes (halved)
• 0.5 cup Red Onion (thinly sliced)
• 0.5 cup Corn Kernels (optional, fresh or frozen)
• 1 Avocado (diced, ripe)
• 0.5 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (sharp, optional)
• 60 g Sour Cream (room temperature)
• 40 g Buttermilk (room temperature)
• 50 g Mayonnaise (full‑fat for best texture)
• 5 g Worcestershire Sauce (about 1 tsp)
• 1 tbsp Lime Juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 tsp Fresh Mint Leaves (finely chopped)
• 1 tsp Fresh Cilantro (finely chopped)
• 0.5 tsp Serrano Pepper (minced, seeds removed for less heat)
• 1 tsp Fresh Parsley (finely chopped)
• 1 tsp Chives (finely chopped)
• 0.5 tsp Toasted Cumin Seeds (lightly toasted for aroma)
• to taste Salt (prefer sea salt)

Instructions

1. Make Lime Ranch Dressing

   In a small bowl combine sour cream, buttermilk, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, and lime juice. Whisk until smooth. Add chopped mint, cilantro, serrano pepper, parsley, chives, toasted cumin seeds, and salt. Whisk again until fully emulsified.

   Time: PT5M

2. Cook Bacon

   Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add bacon strips and cook, turning occasionally, until crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: medium heat

3. Grill Chicken

   Season chicken breast with taco seasoning (cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper). Grill or pan‑sear over medium‑high heat 6‑7 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest 2 minutes, then slice into strips.

   Time: PT10M

   Temperature: medium‑high heat

4. Prepare Vegetables

   Wash all greens and veggies. Spin the lettuce dry or pat with towels. Halve cherry tomatoes, thinly slice red onion, dice avocado, and measure corn kernels. Set aside in separate bowls.

   Time: PT5M

5. Assemble Salad Base

   In a large mixing bowl combine the torn romaine, sliced chicken, crumbled bacon, cherry tomatoes, red onion, corn, avocado, and shredded cheddar.

   Time: PT2M

6. Dress and Toss

   Pour the lime ranch dressing over the salad. Using your hands (clean) or salad tongs, toss vigorously until every bite is evenly coated.

   Time: PT3M

7. Serve

   Divide the tossed salad into four bowls or plates. Serve immediately while the greens stay crisp.

   Time: PT1M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

460

Protein

30g

Carbohydrates

22g

Fat

28g

Fiber

6g