Southwest Chicken Salad

Southwest Chicken Salad

I LOVE a good salad as much as anyone, but if I had to choose just one as my favorite, go-to, and most craved, it would undoubtedly be this Southwest Chicken Salad recipe. The combination of flavors and textures is absolutely perfect, and what truly ties it all together is the irresistible Chipotle Ranch dressing. I could put it on anything!

Made with simple pantry ingredients, this easy southwest chicken salad recipe is super easy to make and easily customizable.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs0845RUiMVdGzM0-PPhtNnEzcx8uyLiS&si=OcoaCi52tt2rwicM

Making a homemade southwest dressing is super easy. Just add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Adjust the spice level by adding more chipotle sauce.

From start to finish this easy salad recipe takes about 45 minutes to make.

STEP 1

Add the chicken and seasonings to a bowl, mixing until the chicken is fully coated.

STEP 2

Heat a skillet or cast-iron griddle over medium heat, add the oil, and cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

STEP 3

To assemble the salad, start with a base of lettuce, then add the vegetables, sliced chicken, tortilla strips, and finish with a drizzle of chipotle ranch dressing. Enjoy!

When meal prepping this salad: Fully cook, cool and slice the chicken. Store in an airtight container. Make the southwest dressing and store in an airtight container. All of the other salad ingredients, except the avocado and tortilla strips, can be stored in an airtight container together.

Storing: Store in airtight containers in the refrigerator up to 5 days.

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Cooking Method
Categories ,
Difficulty Beginner
Time
Prep Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Rest Time: 10 mins Total Time: 45 mins
Servings 2
Description

This Southwest Chicken Salad has it all! Packed with juicy grilled chicken, black beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado and a zesty homemade Southwest dressing, it’s perfect for lunch, dinner and meal prep.

Ingredients
  • 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup corn (drained and rinsed)
  • 1 cup black beans (drained and rinsed)
  • 1/4 cup red onion (diced)
  • 1/2 cup bell pepper (diced)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
  • 4-6 heads romaine lettuce (chopped)
  • 1 avocado sliced
  • as needed tortilla strips
  • as needed cheddar cheese (shredded)
    • Southwest Dressing: Chipotle Ranch
  • 1/2 cup mayo
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tablespoon ranch dressing seasoning mix
  • 1/4-1/2 cup fresh cilantro
  • 4 teaspoons chipotle sauce (or 1-2 chipotle peppers with 1-2 teaspoons of adobo sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons milk (more if the dressing needs to be thinned out)
Instructions

  1. Add the chicken 2 teaspoons of olive oil and seasonings to a bowl, mixing until the chicken is fully coated.

  2. Heat a skillet or cast-iron griddle over medium heat, add the oil, and cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side. Squeeze some fresh lime juice on the chicken if desired. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

  3. To make the dressing, add all of the dressing ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Add more chipotle sauce if you want the dressing to be spicier. 

  4. To assemble the salad, start with a base of lettuce, then add the vegetables, sliced chicken, tortilla strips, cheese, and finish with a drizzle of chipotle ranch dressing. Enjoy!

Read it online: https://simplyscratchmade.com/recipe/southwest-chicken-salad/

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