Description
This Spicy Southwest Salad is a vibrant and flavorful main course that’s perfect for a quick, satisfying meal. Featuring marinated grilled chicken, fresh vegetables, black beans, and a zesty spicy ranch dressing with avocado, it combines a variety of textures and bold flavors inspired by American southwestern cuisine. Ready in just 20 minutes (plus marinating time), it’s a nutritious and colorful salad that will quickly become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 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
Spicy Ranch Dressing
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- 2-3 tbsp hot sauce (Chipotle Cholula recommended)
Salad
- 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 for serving
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl or gallon-sized zip lock bag, combine lime juice and zest, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, salt, honey, and avocado oil to create the marinade. Add the chicken breasts and toss well to coat evenly. Seal and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours to infuse the flavors.
- Grill the chicken: Preheat a grill pan over medium heat and spray with cooking spray. Once hot, place the marinated chicken breasts on the grill pan. Cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes to develop grill marks, then flip carefully and cook the other side for another 5-6 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Remove from heat and let cool before slicing thinly.
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, mix the ranch dressing with 2-3 tablespoons of your preferred hot sauce (Chipotle Cholula recommended) until well combined. Set aside.
- Assemble the salad: On serving plates or in bowls, layer chopped lettuce, sliced grilled chicken, diced tomatoes, black beans, sliced red bell pepper, sliced avocado, corn, sliced red onion, and tortilla strips. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges. Drizzle each salad generously with the spicy ranch dressing before eating.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight enhances the flavor and tenderness.
- Use fresh lime juice for the best tangy flavor in the marinade.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce in the dressing to your preferred spice level.
- Grill marks improve the texture and presentation but avoid flipping chicken repeatedly to achieve them.
- Tortilla strips add a delightful crunch; substitute with crushed tortilla chips if unavailable.
- For a lower calorie version, use a light ranch dressing or Greek yogurt-based dressing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
