Description
A flavorful Southwest Salad featuring seasoned chicken, fresh vegetables, black beans, corn, guacamole, sour cream, and shredded Mexican cheese, all topped with crunchy tortilla strips and drizzled with a zesty homemade Cilantro Lime Dressing. Perfect for a quick, satisfying, and vibrant meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 0.5 small chicken breast
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
Salad
- 1.5 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 4 cherry tomatoes
- 0.25 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 0.25 cup corn
- 0.125 cup black olives
- 4 slices bell peppers (any color)
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced
- 2 tablespoons guacamole
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 sprigs fresh cilantro
- 0.25 cup tortilla strips
- 0.5 cup shredded Mexican cheese
- 2 tablespoons Cilantro Lime Dressing
- 2 lime wedges, optional
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Warm 1 tablespoon of avocado oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
- Season the chicken: Generously coat both sides of half a small chicken breast with 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning to add bold flavor.
- Sear the chicken: Place the seasoned chicken in the hot skillet and let it cook undisturbed for 5 minutes until you see it releases easily and turns a deep golden brown color.
- Flip and cook the other side: Using kitchen tongs, carefully flip the chicken and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, lowering the heat slightly if needed to avoid burning.
- Rest the chicken: Remove the chicken from heat and allow it to rest for at least 5 minutes so the juices redistribute for moist, tender slices.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl or a pie dish, layer 1.5 cups chopped romaine lettuce, then top with cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, black olives, bell peppers, diced jalapeno, guacamole, sour cream, fresh cilantro sprigs, tortilla strips, shredded Mexican cheese, and sliced chicken.
- Dress and serve: Drizzle the salad with 2 tablespoons of Cilantro Lime Dressing and optionally squeeze fresh lime wedges on top. Serve immediately for best freshness and crunch.
Notes
- This salad is loaded with a variety of fresh and seasoned ingredients that create a satisfying and balanced Southwest-style meal.
- You can substitute avocado oil with vegetable, canola, or olive oil for cooking the chicken.
- For a milder spice level, remove the seeds from the jalapeno or omit it entirely.
- If desired, add extra lime juice or Cilantro Lime Dressing for more tangy flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 929 kcal
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 1473 mg
- Fat: 55 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 37 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 18 g
- Protein: 52 g
- Cholesterol: 139 mg
