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Spicy Southwest Salad Recipe

Spicy Southwest Salad Recipe


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4.8 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Savor southwest spicy salad’s zesty charm, blending bold flavors with fresh ingredients. Crisp greens and smoky proteins create a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 1 can black beans drained and rinsed

Vegetables and Produce:

  • 1 head green leaf lettuce chopped
  • 2 tomatoes diced
  • 1 red bell pepper sliced
  • 2 avocados sliced
  • 1 cup corn
  • 1/2 red onion sliced
  • cilantro for garnish
  • 1 lime juiced and zested
  • lime wedges

Dressing and Seasonings:

  • 1/2 cup ranch dressing
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons hot sauce of choice
  • 1/2 cup tortilla strips

Instructions

  1. Craft a zesty marinade by combining lime zest, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, salt, honey, and avocado oil in a large bowl or ziplock bag, whisking until smooth and well-integrated.
  2. Thoroughly coat chicken breasts in the prepared marinade, seal container, and refrigerate for 8-24 hours to allow flavors to intensify.
  3. Preheat a grill pan over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, testing readiness by sprinkling water droplets that should sizzle immediately upon contact.
  4. Transfer marinated chicken to the heated grill pan, cooking 5-6 minutes per side until achieving a golden exterior and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. Remove chicken from heat, let rest for 3-5 minutes, then slice into thin, uniform strips.
  6. Prepare spicy ranch dressing by blending ranch with hot sauce until thoroughly combined and creamy.
  7. Construct salad foundation using chopped green leaf lettuce as the base layer.
  8. Strategically arrange sliced chicken, tomatoes, black beans, red bell pepper, avocado, corn, and red onion atop lettuce.
  9. Sprinkle tortilla strips across the salad for added texture and crunch.
  10. Drizzle spicy ranch dressing over salad, gently tossing to distribute ingredients evenly.
  11. Finish by garnishing with fresh cilantro and a lime juice squeeze, serving with additional lime wedges on the side.

Notes

  • Marinate chicken longer for deeper, more intense flavor profiles that’ll make your taste buds dance with excitement.
  • Swap chicken for tofu or grilled portobello mushrooms to create a delicious vegetarian version of this southwest sensation.
  • Reduce heat by using mild hot sauce or omitting it entirely for a family-friendly spice level that everyone can enjoy.
  • Prep ingredients ahead of time to streamline the cooking process and make mealtime a breeze, especially during busy weeknights.
  • Prep Time: 8 hours (or up to 24 hours)
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Southwestern American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Fiber: 10 g
  • Protein: 20 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg