Mexican Chicken Salad
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- Chicken breast – 2 cups grilled and shredded
- Black beans – 1 cup rinsed and drained
- Corn – 1 cup fresh or canned
- Red onion – ½ cup diced finely
- Bell peppers red, yellow, or green – 1 cup, diced
- Avocado – 1 large diced
- Cherry tomatoes – 1 cup halved
- Fresh cilantro – ¼ cup chopped
- Jalapeño optional – 1, seeded and finely chopped
- Romaine or mixed greens – 2 cups chopped (optional for serving)
- Tortilla chips optional for serving
For the Cilantro Lime Dressing:
- Olive oil – ¼ cup
- Fresh lime juice – 3 tablespoons
- Garlic – 1 clove minced
- Ground cumin – ½ teaspoon
- Salt and pepper – to taste
- Fresh cilantro – 2 tablespoons chopped finely
- Greek yogurt or sour cream – 2 tablespoons optional for creaminess
Instructions
Step 1: Cook and Prepare Chicken
- Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and cumin.
- Grill or pan-sear until fully cooked (about 5 minutes per side).
- Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes, then shred or dice into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2: Prepare Vegetables
- Dice bell peppers, red onion, and avocado into even-sized pieces.
- Halve cherry tomatoes.
- Rinse and drain black beans and corn thoroughly.
Step 3: Mix the Salad
- In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, black beans, corn, bell peppers, red onion, avocado, cherry tomatoes, and jalapeño (if using).
- Gently toss to mix evenly.
Step 4: Prepare Cilantro Lime Dressing
- In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lime juice, minced garlic, cumin, salt, pepper, chopped cilantro, and Greek yogurt or sour cream if using.
- Adjust seasonings to your taste.
Step 5: Combine and Chill
- Pour dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss to coat evenly.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 15–20 minutes to let flavors blend.
Step 6: Serve
- Serve salad chilled over chopped romaine or mixed greens.
- Optional: Garnish with extra cilantro, avocado slices, lime wedges, and serve with tortilla chips or wrap in tortillas.
Notes
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Calories | 350 kcal |
| Total Fat | 18g |
| Saturated Fat | 3g |
| Cholesterol | 70mg |
| Sodium | 400mg |
| Carbohydrates | 20g |
| Fiber | 6g |
| Sugar | 4g |
| Protein | 30g |