Tex-Mex Chopped Chicken Salad

           Allow me to introduce you to an out of this world chicken salad! I love eating it so much that it has become a part of my routine. It’s a chicken salad that’s filling, so good for you, and just all sorts of yummy! In this recipe you’ll find some classic salad components, but also a little spicy twist. There’s the crispy lettuce, luscious beans, corn, crisp tomatoes, and of course chicken. You can modify the chicken aspect how you like. I have fried some tenders and cut them into chunks before for a little added indulgence. One of the best things about this recipe, is it’s very easy to modify and make your own if you like.

          For this exact way I have made it though, I have shared this recipe for this chicken-based salad with family and friends. I always get the comment that they can’t believe it’s a salad! It’s everything you don’t think of when you make a salad, because let’s face it, a lot of salads are boring. In this salad, you’ll find all the good for you stuff and a delicious bit of spice and crunch. Go ahead and save this recipe, because it’s going to be one you go back to.

           In this salad you will find rich fiber from the lettuce, hearty protein from the chicken, and a perfect blend of spice and southwest. The spice is achieved through a creamy sauce and heat combination. For this recipe, I used jalapeno peppers, but if that’s too much heat for you (or not enough) then adjust to your palette. I know some friends who don’t like a whole lot of spice or heat, so I’ve modified this recipe with just a small splash of jalapeno pepper juice to keep the pepper flavor while still being comfortable for them to eat.

          Another component of this amazing salad is the crunch. The crunch is achieved through the dynamics of tortillas, seeds, and of course the crispy fresh lettuce. Finally, we have the flavorful beans, fresh avocado, tart lime, delicious cheese, and cilantro. You’ll find that this salad is versatile enough to be a perfect side dish but also a great dish all its own!

Helpful Tips

How you use the cheese component of this recipe is up to you! I personally do not like chunks of cheese in my salad, but you might. You can cube the cheese, grate it (like I did), or little crumbles. It’s totally up to you!

You can make this salad in a rush with your ingredients separated into baggies in the fridge for a quick throw together. I like to use rotisserie and chop it up beforehand. You can also buy bagged salad mix or prechopped romaine.

What do you need to make Tex-Mex Chopped Chicken Salad

½-1 cup of ranch dressing

1-2 tablespoons taco mix, mild

1 bag of salad mix

2-3cups rotisserie chicken, small chunks

3 1/2cups Romaine lettuce, chopped

1 large vine fresh tomato, chopped

1/2cucumber, peeled and chopped

1/2cup fresh corn

3green onions, sliced

1drained can black beans

5oz cheddar cheese, shredded

2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped

¼ teaspoon fresh lime juice

1 1/2cup tortilla chips, broken into small pieces

Optional: avocado, pumpkin or sesame seeds, and avocado chunks.

How to make Tex-Mex Chopped Chicken Salad

FIRST STEP:

Add ranch dressing, taco seasoning, cilantro, and lime juice into a small bowl.

Stir to combine well.

SECOND STEP:

Place in the fridge while you prepare the next step.

In a large bowl, toss salad ingredients together. Add dressing a little at a time then toss until lightly coated.

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THIRD STEP:

Add salad mix and romaine lettuce into a bowl.

Add cucumbers, corn, black beans, cheese, and green onions.

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Fold to combine.

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FOURTH STEP:

Fold in chicken, tomato, and other optional ingredients.

Pour the dressing into the salad.

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FIFTH STEP:

Add tortilla chips in as a final step or serve on the side to prevent soggy chips if you think you may have leftovers.

Add salt and pepper to taste and serve!

Enjoy!

YUM!