Southwest Chicken Lime Salad (Printable)
A colorful salad featuring grilled chicken, black beans, corn, and fresh vegetables with lime dressing.
# What You Need:
→ For the Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp chili powder
04 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
05 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1/4 tsp garlic powder
07 - 1/4 tsp onion powder
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ For the Salad
10 - 6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
11 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
13 - 1 cup canned corn kernels, drained
14 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
15 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
16 - 1 avocado, diced
17 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
→ For the Lime Dressing
18 - 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
19 - 2 tbsp olive oil
20 - 1 tbsp honey
21 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
22 - 1 clove garlic, minced
23 - 1/2 tsp salt
24 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
# How To Make It:
01 - Combine olive oil, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Rub spice mixture evenly over chicken breasts.
02 - Heat grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 6 to 7 minutes per side until thoroughly cooked and juices run clear. Let rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
03 - Combine romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, bell pepper, red onion, avocado, and cilantro in a large salad bowl.
04 - Whisk together lime juice, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
05 - Add sliced chicken to the salad. Drizzle with lime dressing and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately, garnished with extra cilantro if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- That lime dressing makes everything taste restaurant special but takes literally two minutes to whisk together
- You get all those satisfying Southwest flavors without the heavy post-meal slump
02 -
- Overcooked chicken makes me sad, so invest in a good meat thermometer or learn the touch method to keep it juicy
- The dressing tastes infinitely better if you let it sit for 15 minutes so the garlic has time to mellow out
03 -
- Pound your chicken breasts to even thickness so they cook at the same rate
- Add a splash of the lime juice to your chicken while it rests for an extra flavor boost