Description
A vibrant and flavorful Southwest Chipotle Salad featuring grilled chicken, black beans, corn, and a creamy chipotle dressing. This fresh, gluten-free salad combines crisp romaine with zesty, smoky dressing and crunchy tortilla strips for a satisfying and healthy meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup cooked grilled chicken breast, diced
- 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen and thawed
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/4 cup tortilla strips
Dressing
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder or finely chopped chipotle pepper in adobo
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 to 3 tablespoons water, to thin the dressing if needed
Instructions
- Prepare the chipotle dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt, lime juice, chipotle powder, garlic powder, salt, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of water until smooth and creamy. Adjust water as needed to reach desired consistency.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large salad bowl, add chopped romaine lettuce, diced grilled chicken breast, drained black beans, corn kernels, halved cherry tomatoes, and finely chopped red onion. Toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Toss salad with dressing: Drizzle the prepared chipotle dressing over the salad mixture and toss thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Add toppings and serve: Just before serving, sprinkle shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese, diced avocado, and crunchy tortilla strips on top of the salad. Serve immediately to enjoy the freshness and texture.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and add extra black beans or roasted sweet potatoes for protein.
- Adjust the amount of chipotle powder or chipotle pepper depending on your preferred spice level.
- This salad is excellent for meal prep if the dressing is kept separate until ready to serve to maintain freshness and crunch.
