Southwest Chicken Salad

Way too much lettuce in the garden! This salad also contains an excellent chicken marinade recipe.

Southwest Chicken Salad

Ingredients

For chicken and marinade:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 lime, juiced, and zested
1/4 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

For Salad:

4 cups packed romaine lettuce or 1 large head, chopped
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
8 ounces black beans, one can, rinsed and drained
8 ounces corn, one can, rinsed and drained
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1 large avocado, chopped
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

Dressing:

1/4 cup olive oil
1 lime, juiced and zest
2 cloves garlic, minced
kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

Place the 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts in a shallow dish and add 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 lime juice plus zest, 3-4 cloves garlic, and seasonings (1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper). Rub the chicken well, then cover the dish and allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes over the counter. If time allows, you can marinate in the fridge overnight.

Meanwhile, combine all dressing ingredients (1/4 cup olive oil, 1 lime, 2 cloves garlic, and kosher salt and ground black pepper) into a small bowl and whisk until smooth.

Pat the chicken dry. Heat a cast iron pan over medium-high heat and add the other 1 tbsp of oil. Add the chicken and cook for 5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Allow the chicken to slightly cool, then slice it.

While the chicken cools, add all the salad ingredients to a bowl. 

Top with juicy chicken and drizzle the dressing over.  Toss to combine then serve. Enjoy!



Original link:

https://healthyfitnessmeals.com/southwest-chicken-salad/#wprm-recipe-container-53710