Southwest Chicken Lime Salad (Printable version)
Juicy grilled chicken combined with black beans, fresh veggies, and lime dressing for a fresh, flavorful salad.
# Ingredient List:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
04 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
05 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
07 - ½ teaspoon salt
08 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
→ Salad
09 - 6 cups mixed salad greens (romaine, spinach, or spring mix)
10 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
11 - 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
12 - 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned and drained)
13 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
14 - ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
15 - 1 avocado, diced
16 - ½ cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
17 - ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
→ Lime Dressing
18 - ¼ cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
19 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
20 - 1 tablespoon honey
21 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
22 - 1 clove garlic, minced
23 - ½ teaspoon salt
24 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
02 - Combine olive oil, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Rub evenly over chicken breasts.
03 - Grill chicken breasts for 6 to 7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
04 - In a large bowl, mix salad greens, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, red bell pepper, red onion, avocado, shredded cheese, and chopped cilantro.
05 - Whisk together lime juice, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
06 - Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine evenly.
07 - Top the salad with sliced grilled chicken and serve immediately.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It tastes like summer even when it's gray outside, thanks to that punchy lime dressing.
- You can prep most of it ahead and toss it together in under five minutes when hunger strikes.
- It's filling enough to carry you through a long afternoon without feeling heavy.
02 -
- Let the chicken rest after grilling or you'll lose all the moisture when you cut into it.
- Rinse your black beans thoroughly, canned liquid makes everything taste metallic.
- Don't overdress the salad, you can always add more but you can't take it back.
03 -
- Marinate the chicken in the spice rub for an hour or two if you have time, it makes the flavors go deeper.
- Use a hot grill and don't flip the chicken more than once, patience gives you better char and juicier meat.
- Taste your dressing before you pour it, every lime is different and you might need a little more honey or salt.