Description
A vibrant Southwest Salad featuring seasoned chicken, fresh vegetables, black beans, corn, and creamy guacamole, all tossed with a zesty Cilantro Lime Dressing for a flavorful and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- ½ small chicken breast
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
Salad
- 1½ cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 4 cherry tomatoes
- ¼ cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup corn
- ⅛ 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
- ¼ cup tortilla strips
- ½ cup Mexican cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons Cilantro Lime Dressing
- 2 lime wedges, optional
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Heat the avocado oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breast generously on each side with taco seasoning.
- Cook the chicken: Add the chicken to the heated skillet and let it sear on the first side, untouched, for five minutes until it develops a deep golden brown and easily releases from the skillet.
- Flip and continue cooking: Use kitchen tongs to carefully flip the chicken and sear the other side for 4-5 minutes, reducing the heat slightly if necessary to avoid burning.
- Rest the chicken: Remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for at least 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute before slicing.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl or pie dish, place the chopped romaine lettuce and top with sliced chicken, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, black olives, bell peppers, diced jalapeno, guacamole, sour cream, fresh cilantro, tortilla strips, shredded Mexican cheese, and drizzle with Cilantro Lime Dressing. Serve immediately with lime wedges if desired.
Notes
- This salad is rich in protein and fiber, making it both filling and nutritious.
- Feel free to use vegetable, canola, or olive oil as alternatives to avocado oil.
- Adjust the jalapeno amount according to your spice preference or omit for a milder flavor.
- Serve with additional lime wedges for an extra burst of citrus brightness.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator but keep tortilla strips separate to maintain crispness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 929 kcal
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 1473 mg
- Fat: 55 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 38 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 18 g
- Protein: 52 g
- Cholesterol: 139 mg
