Description
This Chick-fil-A–inspired Spicy Southwest Salad is bold, colorful, and packed with flavor. Grilled, chili-lime chicken tops a vibrant mix of greens, roasted corn, sautéed peppers, beans, cheese, and crunchy tortilla strips. Drizzled with a creamy salsa dressing, this crave-worthy copycat delivers everything you love—no drive-thru needed.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp olive oil (30 ml)
2 tbsp lime juice (30 ml)
4 stems cilantro
3 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp cumin seeds or 1/2 tsp ground cumin
Chicken Seasoning:
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp dried parsley
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp ground cumin
Salad Fixings:
1 ear corn
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
2 poblano peppers, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
3 cups mixed greens
3 oz shredded Monterey Jack cheese (85 g)
3 oz shredded cheddar cheese (85 g)
1 cup tortilla strips
1/4 cup chili lime pepitas (60 ml)
Creamy Salsa Dressing:
1/2 cup salsa (120 ml)
1/4 cup mayonnaise (60 ml)
1/4 cup sour cream (60 ml)
2 tbsp lime juice (30 ml)
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Marinate Chicken: In a ziplock bag, mix olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, and cumin. Add chicken and refrigerate 1 hour.
Make Dressing: Blend salsa, mayo, sour cream, lime juice, cumin, salt, and pepper until smooth. Chill.
Roast Corn: Brush with oil, season, and roast over high heat 2 minutes per side. Cut kernels off.
Sauté Veggies: Cook tomatoes, poblanos, and bell pepper for 5 minutes. Add corn and cook 2 more minutes.
Grill Chicken: Mix seasoning spices. Coat chicken, flatten slightly, and grill 5 minutes per side. Let rest and slice.
Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, layer greens, beans, sautéed veggies, cheeses, and grilled chicken.
Top & Serve: Add tortilla strips and pepitas. Drizzle with creamy salsa dressing or serve on the side.
Notes
Use pre-cooked grilled chicken and canned corn to save time.
Swap cotija, queso fresco, or another cheese for variety.
Make extra dressing—it doubles as a great dip or taco sauce.
Keep salad components separate for best storage results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Salad
- Method: Grilling, Sautéing, Assembling
- Cuisine: Southwest / Tex-Mex
