Southwest Chicken with Chipotle Dressing (Printable)
Grilled chicken paired with mixed greens, black beans, corn, and a smoky chipotle dressing for bold Southwestern flavor.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
04 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Salad
09 - 6 cups mixed salad greens (romaine, spinach, or spring mix)
10 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
11 - 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
12 - 1 cup canned corn kernels, drained
13 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
14 - 1 avocado, sliced
15 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
16 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
→ Chipotle Dressing
17 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
18 - 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
19 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
20 - 1 tablespoon adobo sauce from canned chipotles in adobo
21 - 1 chipotle pepper in adobo, minced
22 - 1 teaspoon honey
23 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
24 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
# Directions:
01 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
02 - In a small bowl, combine olive oil, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Rub mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.
03 - Grill the chicken for 6–7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and juices run clear. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - In a large bowl, combine salad greens, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, red bell pepper, avocado, red onion, and cilantro.
05 - In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice, adobo sauce, chipotle pepper, honey, salt, and cumin until smooth.
06 - Arrange salad on plates, top with sliced chicken, and drizzle generously with chipotle dressing. Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The chipotle dressing keeps in the fridge for a week, meaning you can drizzle that smoky goodness on practically everything you eat until its gone.
- The balance of protein, fiber, and healthy fats keeps you satisfied for hours, unlike those sad desk salads that leave you hunting for snacks by 3pm.
02 -
- The dressing will thicken considerably in the refrigerator, so whisk in a teaspoon of water if youre making it ahead of time.
- Slicing the chicken against the grain makes every bite tender, even if you accidentally cooked it a minute too long.
03 -
- Save the leftover adobo sauce from your can of chipotles by freezing it in an ice cube tray - pop out a cube whenever you want to add instant smoky heat to soups, sauces, or marinades.
- If feeding spice-sensitive eaters, serve the dressing on the side and offer a milder alternative like a simple lime vinaigrette for those who prefer less heat.