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Spicy Southwest Chicken Salad with Creamy Chipotle-Lime Dressing

Close-up of a vibrant spicy southwest salad featuring grilled chicken, corn, black beans, avocado, and tomatoes on lettuce.
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Make this satisfying Spicy Southwest Salad featuring grilled chicken, black beans, corn, and a zesty, smoky chipotle-lime dressing. It is an easy, flavor-packed meal.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup frozen or canned corn, drained
  • 1 large avocado, diced
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional, for extra heat)
  • For the Dressing:
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon adobo sauce from canned chipotles in adobo (use 2 peppers for more spice)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken breasts with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Grill or pan-fry the chicken over medium-high heat until cooked through (about 6-8 minutes per side). Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then dice or shred it.
  2. Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, adobo sauce, minced garlic, and salt until smooth. Taste and adjust spice or lime as desired.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, black beans, corn, diced avocado, red onion, cilantro, and minced jalapeño (if using).
  4. Add the diced cooked chicken to the salad mixture.
  5. Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently until everything is lightly coated.
  6. Serve immediately for a fresh summer salad with kick.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian option, skip the chicken and add 1 cup of crumbled cotija cheese or toasted pepitas for crunch.
  • If you prefer a thinner dressing, add 1-2 tablespoons of water or milk until you reach your desired consistency.
  • You can prepare the chicken and the dressing up to two days ahead of time to make assembly quick.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.purecookingjoy.com/spicy-southwest-salad-recipe/

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