Description
This vibrant Santa Fe Chicken Salad Recipe combines tender grilled chicken, black beans, corn, bell peppers, and avocado with a zesty lime dressing. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or meal prep, this colorful salad delivers Southwest flavors in every bite!
Ingredients
For the Salad Base:
- 6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 cups grilled chicken breast, diced (about 2 medium breasts)
- 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen and thawed, or canned)
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped (plus more for garnish)
- 1/3 cup tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips
For the Zesty Lime Dressing:
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
If you don’t have leftover chicken, season 2 chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of cumin. Grill for 6-7 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Let rest for 5 minutes before dicing into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2: Make the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, honey, cumin, chili powder, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined. For extra flavor, let the dressing sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad Base
In a large salad bowl, arrange the chopped romaine lettuce. For a restaurant-quality presentation, toss the lettuce with a small amount of the dressing first.
Step 4: Add the Toppings
Layer the diced chicken, black beans, corn, bell pepper, red onion, tomatoes, and avocado over the lettuce. The key to a beautiful Santa Fe Chicken Salad Recipe is arranging the ingredients in sections rather than mixing everything together immediately.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Drizzle with the prepared dressing, sprinkle with chopped cilantro and tortilla strips. Toss gently just before serving to maintain the vibrant colors and textures of each ingredient.
Notes
Pro Tips for Perfect Results:
- Season your chicken generously: For the most flavorful Santa Fe Chicken Salad Recipe, marinate your chicken in lime juice, cumin, and chili powder for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- Toast your corn: For enhanced nutty flavor, lightly char your corn kernels in a dry skillet before adding them to the salad.
- Make it creamier: Add a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream on top for extra richness.
- Control the heat level: Adjust the amount of chili powder in the dressing or add a diced jalapeño to the salad for extra kick.
- Save time with shortcuts: Use rotisserie chicken and pre-washed salad greens to cut preparation time in half.
Storage Instructions: Store dressing separately from salad ingredients for up to 5 days. The prepared salad (without dressing) will last 2-3 days in an airtight container. Add avocado, tortilla strips, and dressing just before serving.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Salad
- Method: Assembly
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 380
- Fat: 27
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 22
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 8
- Protein: 19
- Cholesterol: 45
Keywords: santa fe chicken salad recipe, southwest chicken salad, healthy chicken salad, mexican chicken salad, easy dinner salad, high protein salad