Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad
1.1k
This is my copycat of the popular salad sold at McDonald's. It's the only thing I eat off their menu and I was anxious to replicate it at home.
Ingredients
| 4 | ounces |
chicken breast halves, boneless, skinless
one small chicken breast |
|
| Marinade | |||
| 1 | tablespoons |
canola oil
|
|
| 2 | tablespoons |
lime juice
fresh |
|
| 1 | tablespoon |
cilantro
fresh chopped |
* |
| 1 | pinch |
cumin
|
* |
| 1 | pinch |
cayenne pepper
|
* |
| 1 | pinch |
kosher salt
|
* |
| 1 | pinch |
black pepper
|
* |
| Salad | |||
| 1 ½ | cup |
romaine lettuce
salad blend, chopped |
* |
| 1 |
italian plum (roma) tomatoes
diced |
||
| 2 | tablespoons |
corn
sweet corn |
|
| 2 | tablespoons |
black beans
|
|
| 1 | tablespoon |
carrots
shredded |
|
| 1 | tablespoon |
scallions, spring or green onions
sliced |
|
| 1 | tablespoon |
pepper jack cheese
shredded Mexican cheese blend |
* |
| 1 | tablespoon |
black olives
sliced, optional |
|
| 1 | ounce |
tortilla chips
or crispy fried tortilla strips, for garnish |
|
|
cilantro
fresh for garnish |
* | ||
| Dressing | |||
| 2 | tablespoons |
salad dressing, creamy ranch
fat free |
|
| 1 | tablespoon |
sour cream, light
low fat or non-fat |
|
| ½ | teaspoons |
apple cider vinegar
|
|
| ½ | teaspoons |
lime juice
|
|
| ¼ | teaspoons |
chili powder
|
* |
| ¼ | teaspoons |
cumin
ground |
* |
| ¼ | teaspoons |
onion powder
|
* |
| ¼ | teaspoons |
garlic powder
|
* |
Directions
Mix together all marinade ingredients in a glass container. Add chicken breast and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours, turning periodically.
Mix all dressing ingredients together. Refrigerate at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.
Grill marinated breast over hot coals or broil for 5 to 6 minutes on each side, until no longer pink in middle. Let rest, tented with foil, 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.
Assemble salad components on serving plate. Arrange sliced grilled chicken breast atop salad. Garnish as desired and top with dressing.
North Oxford, United States
about 9 years ago
I think this is my new favorite salad, even topping Cobb...maybe. It is suitable for lunch or dinner and is very flavorful. Suitable for lunch OR dinner.
Denver
almost 5 years ago
I have made this several times now. It is truly one of our favorite recipes.
almost 3 years ago
You're missing a very crucial ingredient. Why does nobody seem to realize that the southwest salad specifically has like glaze on the chicken in addition to the dressing packet you're given?
over 2 years ago
I have problems with acidic, spicy and allium foods, I make something like this but put equal parts fresh lime juice with either honey or agave, so it doesn't bother my stomach. I also leave off the dressing. I have found some tortilla strips that has a hint of lime in it, that I use. I use a spring mix, and a Roma tomato that I have removed the seeds. I think it tastes just as good as McDonalds, but that doesn't stop me from going to McDonalds also and having it.