If you’re in the mood for a vibrant and satisfying salad that combines a fusion of flavors, look no further than the Santa Fe Chicken Salad with Creamy Chipotle Dressing. This salad is a delightful blend of fresh ingredients, tender chicken, and a creamy chipotle dressing that adds a kick of spice.
With each bite, you’ll experience the bold and spicy essence of the Southwest, as the creamy chipotle dressing tantalizes your taste buds. Get ready to elevate your salad game with this mouthwatering creation that embodies the spirit of Santa Fe’s culinary scene. It’s a perfect balance of freshness, spice, and satisfaction, making it an irresistible choice for any salad lover.
This salad was always a favorite of mine growing up and it still is to this day. Let’s dive into the details and discover how to create this delicious salad!
Vibrant and Flavorful
Why You Will Love This Recipe
There are several reasons why you’ll love the Santa Fe Chicken Salad with Creamy Chipotle Dressing:
Bursting with Flavor: This salad is a flavor explosion! The combination of tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and zesty chipotle dressing creates a harmonious blend of tastes.
Colorful and Vibrant: This salad is visually appealing with its colorful assortment of ingredients. The vibrant greens, reds, yellows, and purples make for an enticing presentation, making it perfect for gatherings or impressing your family and friends.
Easy to Prepare: This salad is relatively easy to make, making it ideal for quick weeknight dinners or lunches. With minimal cooking involved, you can have a delicious and nutritious meal on the table in no time.
Santa Fe Chicken Salad With Creamy Chipotle Dressing is one of my-all time favorites. Well, I grew up loving salad, but not any salad. I loved only flavorful ones and thanks to my mom, who is also a salad lover, always made sure that the salad she served is more than just leafy greens. She always added vibrant, tasty ingredients that made the bowl of salad a joy to eat.
An Irresistible Taste
Ingredients
Chicken breast, seasoned with taco seasoning
Lettuce
Black beans
Kidney beans
Corn
Avocado
Cherry tomatoes
Cucumber
White cheese
For the Dressing:
Chipotle peppers in adobo
Plain yogurt
White vinegar
Salt
Water
Dried oregano
Dried basil
Olive oil
Honey
Steps to Prep
First, cook your chicken breast in a skillet.
Then, season it with taco seasoning and a bit of oil.
It needs about 15 minutes of cooking, depending on how thick your chicken breast is. You can cut it in half to reduce cooking time.
Alternatively, air fry it at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
Next, layer the salad, adding the beans and corn on top of your finely chopped lettuce.
Now, add your cubed tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese, and avocado.
After that, top with the cooked, cooled, and cut chicken.
For the dressing, combine everything in a food processor until creamy and blended. Pour into your salad and enjoy!
Savor the Spice
Variations for Santa Fe Chicken Salad With Creamy Chipotle Dressing
The Santa Fe Chicken Salad is highly versatile. You can customize it based on your preferences and ingredient availability. Feel free to add or substitute ingredients for added texture and flavor.
Protein options: You can swap chicken for grilled shrimp for a seafood twist. You can also use sliced steak or beef strips for a heartier taste.
Additional veggies: Adding sliced red, yellow, or orange peppers gives an extra crunch and more color variation to your salad. For a bit of tangy sweetness, you can add sliced red onion. If you like smoky flavor, you can use roasted or charred corn.
Extra crunch: Toss some tortilla strips or chips or try crushed pecans or almonds for a different crunch.
Different greens: Bored of traditional lettuce? Swap it out for spinach or arugula for a peppery, nutrient-rich base.
Southwestern Sensation
Pro Tips
Grill Alternatives: If there is no grill, cook chicken on the stovetop or in the oven.
Marinate Chicken: Add flavor by marinating chicken with lime juice, oil, and spices.
Adjust Spice Level: Control heat by adjusting the amount of chipotle pepper.
Customize Salad: Add or substitute veggies and herbs to suit your taste.
Make-Ahead Prep: Grill chicken and chop veggies in advance.
Double the Dressing: Make extra dressing for drizzling or dipping.
Storage Tips
Prep ahead and store: Grill the chicken, let them cool, and store it in the refrigerator. Wash and chop the vegetables, keeping them separate until ready to assemble. Make sure they are dry and wrap them in paper towels before placing them in the container to keep them crisp. The dressing can also be prepared ahead of time in an airtight jar and refrigerated. Assemble upon serving.
Storing leftovers: You can store the leftovers of the Santa Fe Chicken Salad with Creamy Chipotle Dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
Freezing: It is not recommended to freeze the Santa Fe Chicken Salad as freezing may affect the texture and freshness of the ingredients. It is best enjoyed fresh and refrigerated for short-term storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! To make it vegetarian, you can substitute the chicken with grilled tofu or tempeh. For a vegan version, use plant-based proteins like grilled tofu, tempeh, or vegan chicken alternatives. Omit the cheese or use vegan cheese alternatives, and choose a dairy-free or vegan-friendly dressing.
If you are short on time, it is fine to buy Chipotle dressing. Make sure to choose high-quality dressing to keep the salad’s distinct taste.
Yes, it is. But consider reducing the spice level and cutting the ingredients into bite-sized pieces.
While it’s best to dress the salad just before serving to maintain its freshness, you can prepare certain components in advance.
A Vibrant Salad Creation
Must Try Salad Recipes
Mediterranean Style Chicken Salad with Creamy Yogurt Dressing
Arabic Chopped Salad (Salata Arabiyeh)
Cucumber Yogurt Salad | Khiyar Bi Laban
Tabbouli Salad Recipe (Tabbouleh)
If you’ve tried this recipe, don’t forget to rate it and leave a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience. You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Santa Fe Chicken Salad with Creamy Chipotle Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 chicken breast seasoned with taco seasoning
- 2 cups lettuce cut into small pieces
- ½ cup black beans drained and rinsed
- ½ cup kidney beans drained and rinsed
- ½ cup corn drained and rinsed
- 1 avocado sliced or cubed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup cucumber sliced into half moons
- ⅓ cup white cheese crumbled (like queso fresco)
For the Dressing:
- 1 tablespoon chipotle peppers in adobo
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Cook your chicken breast on a skillet.
- Season it with taco seasoning and a bit of oil.
- It needs about 15 minutes of cooking, depending on how thick your chicken breast is.
- You can cut it in half to reduce cooking time.
- Alternatively, air fry it at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, flipping half way.
- Layer the salad, adding the beans and corn on top of your finely chopped lettuce.
- Add your cubed tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese and avocado.
- Top with the cooked, cooled and cut chicken.
- For the dressing, combine everything in a food processor until creamy and blended.
- Pour onto your salad and enjoy.
Notes
- If no grill, cook chicken on stovetop or in oven.
- Add flavor by marinating chicken with lime juice, oil, and spices.
- Control heat by adjusting chipotle pepper amount.
- Add or substitute veggies and herbs to suit your taste.
- Grill chicken and chop veggies in advance.
I made this salad for dinner and it is delicious. I wish the dressing was creamier but it still tastes great!
This was such a refreshing salad for summer!