Southwestern Chopped Chicken Salad
I think I've mentioned before that I'm not the biggest fan of cleaning. I'm also pretty terrible at organizing things. I don't have files for important documents. I don't have certain drawers for certain things (except in the kitchen, of course). And I certainly don't remember where I put things like cords, extra buttons, keys, and most recently my camera charger. It's nowhere to be found. For the past 2 weeks I've been hanging on to the last little bit of life in my camera while hoping my charger would show up. Well, now my camera is dead and there's still no charger. It has to show up at some point, right?
So until the little fairy who snuck into my unorganized chaos and took my camera charger decides to come put it back, I'm fancy camera-less. Or until I cave in and buy a new charger. Hopefully this explains the Instagram pictures I'm using. Maybe fun filters will make up for the blurriness? We'll see.
I made this chopped chicken salad tonight for dinner and while I have quite a few recipes stocked up to blog about, I couldn't wait to share this with you. It. Is. So. Good. I love chopped salads because the lettuce doesn't overpower the salad. Instead of lettuce in big chunks or leaves with all of the little toppings, it's little too. It's just another component of the salad, not the main idea. And while I used a sub-par lettuce nutritional wise (iceberg) you could definitely use romaine or any other lettuce of your liking. I happen to love the crisp crunch of iceberg. I know, it's very un-foodie of me.
So in addition to the lettuce, we've got a lot going on in this southwestern chopped chicken salad. Like, a lot. There's black beans, corn, green peppers, tomatoes, cilantro, green onions, chicken, avocado aaaaaaaand tortilla chips. All tossed together with a taco ranch dressing that is way too good for how easy it is. Marc and I both went back for seconds because it is, after all, a salad and so seconds are allowed. I may have even eaten some of the leftovers with a spoon as I was cleaning up. Seriously, so good.
southwestern chopped chicken salad
Ingredients
for the salad:
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 1 can black beans rinsed
- 1 can sweet yellow corn or 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
- 2 roma tomatoes diced
- 4 green onions sliced
- 1 head ice berg lettuce washed and chopped
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- 2 ripe avocados diced
- 1 cup crushed tortilla chips
for the dressing:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ⅔ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all salad ingredients together, excluding the tortilla chips.
- In a small bowl stir all dressing ingredients together.
- Pour dressing over salad, starting with about half of the dressing.
- Toss to combine, then gradually add more dressing until it is dressed to your liking.
- Top with tortilla chips. Enjoy!
Do you know the serving size and calorie count ??
How many carbs are in a serving?
There was an Avacado dressing recipe on here the first time I made this recipe. Now I can't find it. Does anyone have it? It was so YUMMY! I love this recipe and recommend it any chance I get.
Shoot, I'm not sure which recipe you're looking for...was it in the comments or in this post? I haven't changed it since I posted...
There's an avocado dressing recipe made with one avocado, 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1tbsp + 2tsp lemon juice, 2 cloves garlic, 3/4 tsp salt and 1 tsp hot sauce. Blend all together, so good, tastes just like ranch. Don't leave out the hot sauce, I think that's what makes it! Hope this is the recipe that you were looking for, if not try it, it's delicious!
How long does it keep before lettuce gets nasty....or is it so good that noone has had to worry about it? 🙂
I've never had leftovers, but if you're worrying about making too much, I would add the dressing individually, or to as much as you think you'll need. Otherwise the leftover lettuce will probably get soggy overnight.
When you say ranch seasoning, do you mean the ranch DRESSING MIX in a packet? If not, what and where would I find it. Thanks. Am anxiously awaiting answer so I can go to store and get ingredients to make.
Nancy- yes ranch dressing mix. Hope I responded before you went to the store 🙂
This salad totally reminds me of the Fiesta Chopped Chicken salad from Applebees ! I used leftover chicken from this recipe: http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/02/crock-pot-santa-fe-chicken-425-pts.html
and added an additional 2 tomatoes, I also served it with salsa,shredded cheese and lime wedges...for those so inclined to use them 🙂
thanks for a fabulous recipe! I am linking it back to you on my blog http://mysunshine6.blogspot.com/2013/02/2-for-1.html
I'm so glad you enjoyed it Nicole! I love your adaptations 🙂
Sounds great. I love chopped so much better than regular salad. I usually use ranch dressing and salsa mixed on this type salad but can't wait to try this one
I used half the corn called for, will make this again. Lots of things you can add, I used black olives & lime. Yummy
Another dressing idea is to use 1 cup of salsa mixed with 1/4 cup low fat ranch dressing. I shake it up in a container with a lid until combined. It's like the dressing on the Applebee's Southwest Chicken Salad.
Thanks for sharing this recipe! Yum!
Made this tonight & my family loved it!! Added black olives & used a rotiserie chicken from the store . The dressing was wonderful & tasted better than the fattening bottled spicy ranch.
How did u do your chicken exactly? Was it previously cooked n cooled or did u buy chicken that was already cooked n shredded it up?
To anonymous... What's the cilantro lime ranch dressing recipe?? Sounds awesome!!
I use the shortcut chicken (grilled)
I cook boneless skinless chicken breasts in the crockpot on high for 3-4 hours (until cooked through) shred it, and then pop in the fridge once it's cooled. keeps a few days and is so handy.
I bet avocados would be so good on top of this! Yummy
this sounds really good,I'll be trying it...if you catch that tiny little charger thief hold'em for me 'cause they have mine too...lol
What are the nutrition facts?
I just made this salad and it is delicious! I used Romaine lettuce and added chopped jalapeños. I also used a cilantro lime ranch dressing I made for a recipe posted on Pinterest. This is one of the best salads I've ever eaten so I'm glad it makes a lot so I can have it for lunch tomorrow. Thanks for sharing!
Oh that sounds great...how do you make the cilantro lime dressing?
Yes, please share how you make that cilantro lime dressing
I don't like mayo, what would be a good substitute?
The first thing that comes to mind is sour cream...or you could just do all greek yogurt. Hope this helps!
Veganaise is similar to Mayo. I've used it for chicken salads.
Very similar to one of the Body For Life meals. Gotta try it
I bet this would b great wrapped in a tortilla
Cooked beans? Like hot?
I use uncooked, right from the can
I used cold ones rinsed from a can
Would you suggest that the chicken be warm or cold?
I used mine cold
I heated mine up a bit but you could do either!