Mexican Inspired Creamy Chicken Salad Recipes

MEXICAN CHICKEN SALAD (CHIPOTLE COPYCAT RECIPE)

Steps:

• Marinate the chicken: In a bowl or sealable plastic bag, combine the chicken, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic, vinegar, and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or as long as overnight.
• Cook the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the chicken pieces for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan.
• Prepare the fajita veggies: To the same pan, add in the olive oil, peppers, onion, oregano, and salt. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened and caramelized.
• Prepare the beans: Add the beans, chili powder, cumin, and lime juice to a saucepan over medium heat. Cook the beans for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated. Taste and add salt if needed.
• Make the dressing: Whisk together all dressing ingredients in a jar or bowl.
• Assemble the salad: Place 2 heaping cups of salad greens on each plate. Top with chicken, black beans, fajita veggies, and additional toppings like salsa, sour cream, guacamole, pico, and cheese. Drizzle dressing over each salad.

MEXICAN CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Place the cooked and shredded chicken, potatoes, carrots, celery, sweet peas and apple into a large bowl.
• Mix gently and stir in the mayonnaise (carefully, to avoid breaking or mashing the cooked vegetables).
• Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate for about 4 hours to allow the flavors to blend. Believe me, it is worth the wait, as it will definitely taste better.

MEXICAN CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• For the dressing, in a small bowl combine the apple cider vinegar, honey, cumin, chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and cayenne pepper, and mix well with a wire whisk; set aside.
• If you are making the salad components ahead of time, refrigerate this dressing.
• Heat the olive oil in a 12" skillet. Sprinkle the chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt, then saute it in the skillet with the minced garlic, stirring frequently, until it is cooked through to 165 F , about 5 to 7 minutes.
• Combine the cooked chicken, corn, red onion, tomatoes, black beans, and red bell peppers in a large bowl.
• Stir in the apple cider vinegar dressing.
• Cover and chill this mixture for at least 1 hour. (we usually prepare the chicken and vegetable mixture up to this point and chill it until the next day.)
• When you are ready to eat, combine the chicken mixture with the lettuce in a pretty salad bowl.
• Serve the salad along with the avocados, cheese, tortilla chips, sour cream, and salsa. Each diner garnishes his own salad as desired.

MEXICAN CHICKEN SALAD WITH GUACAMOLE

Steps:

• Marinade/Dressing: Heat the oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and chile, and cook until the garlic is soft and lightly browned, 2-3 minutes. Cool, reserving the oil.
• In a blender, add the lime juice, cilantro, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and the garlic and chile oil. Purée until smooth. Lay the chicken breasts into a large baking dish; pour a third of the marinade on top, then use tongs to evenly coat the thicken. Marinate in the refrigerator for up to 1 hour.
• Heat a grill pan or gas grill to medium to medium-high heat. (Alternatively, start a charcoal fire and let it burn until the coals are medium-hot and covered with white ash.) Lightly brush the onion slices with oil and season with salt. Grill the onion slices and the chicken until the chicken is cooked through and the onion is well-browned, 5-6 minutes per side.
• Guacamole: Chop the grilled onion into small pieces and set aside in a bowl. Pit and peel the avocados; add the flesh to the onion. Add half the remaining Marinade/Dressing; then coarsely mash everything together with a potato masher, large fork, or the back of a spoon. Taste and season with salt, about ½ teaspoon.
• Salad: Put sliced romaine into a large bowl. Add about half the remaining Marinade/Dressing, and toss to combine.
• Assembly: Divide the dressed romaine among four plates. Dollop a portion of the guacamole into the center of each plate. Cut the grilled chicken into cubes and arrange over the guacamole. Sprinkle with cheese and drizzle with remaining Marinade/Dressing before serving.

MEXICAN-INSPIRED CREAMY CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Mix margarita mix, cumin and zest. Pour over chicken in shallow dish; turn to coat. Refrigerate 2 hours to marinate.
• Heat grill to medium heat. Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade. Grill chicken 6 to 8 min. on each side or until done (165ºF). Cool 10 min.; coarsely chop.
• Mix mayo, yogurt, cilantro, lime juice and pepper; toss with chicken.
• Arrange tomatoes, avocados and onions on serving plates; top with chicken mixture.