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Spicy Southwest Salad


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  • Author: Emma
  • Total Time: 8 hours 27 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

A flavorful and vibrant salad featuring marinated chicken, fresh vegetables, and a spicy ranch dressing.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lime juiced and zested
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp avocado oil
  • 2 chicken breasts
  • ½ cup ranch dressing
  • 23 tbsp hot sauce of choice (e.g., Chipotle Cholula)
  • 1 head green leaf lettuce, chopped
  • 2 tomatoes, diced
  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 2 avocados, sliced
  • 1 cup corn
  • ½ red onion, sliced
  • ½ cup tortilla strips
  • Cilantro for garnish
  • Lime wedges

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl or gallon-sized zip lock, combine the chicken marinade ingredients. Add the chicken breasts, and toss until covered in the marinade. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours, up to 24 hours.
  2. Spray a grill pan with cooking spray, then heat on medium heat. Once the grill pan is hot, add the chicken breasts, and cook for 5-6 minutes. Flip the chicken breasts and cook on the other side for 5-6 minutes as well. Don’t flip the chicken back and forth, as you won’t get the perfect grill marks! Once the chicken is cooked, set aside to cool, then slice into thin strips.
  3. While the chicken is cooking, make the southwest ranch dressing. Add the ranch dressing and hot sauce to a small bowl, then stir until combined. Set aside.
  4. Assemble your salads with lettuce, sliced chicken, tomatoes, black beans, bell pepper, avocado, corn, red onion, tortilla strips, cilantro, and lime juice. Drizzle with the spicy ranch dressing and eat up!

Notes

  • For a vegetarian option, substitute chicken with grilled tofu or chickpeas.
  • Adjust the amount of hot sauce in the dressing to your spice preference.
  • This salad can be made ahead of time; just keep the dressing separate until serving.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Southwestern

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 salad
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 10g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg