Chipotle Lime Chicken Salad (Printer-friendly)
A zesty, protein-packed dish featuring smoky chipotle-marinated chicken with crisp vegetables and tangy lime dressing.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
04 - 2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder
05 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1 garlic clove, minced
07 - 1 teaspoon honey
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ For the Salad
10 - 6 cups mixed salad greens (romaine, arugula, baby spinach)
11 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
13 - 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned and drained)
14 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced
15 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
16 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
→ For the Chipotle Lime Dressing
17 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
18 - 2 tablespoons lime juice
19 - 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
20 - 1 teaspoon honey
21 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
22 - 1/4 teaspoon cumin
23 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
# How To Make It:
01 - In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, chipotle chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic, honey, salt, and pepper. Add chicken breasts and toss to coat. Marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.
02 - Preheat grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until fully cooked, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, chipotle chili powder, honey, salt, cumin, and garlic until emulsified.
04 - In a large bowl, combine salad greens, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, avocado, red onion, and cilantro. Drizzle with half the dressing and toss gently to coat.
05 - Arrange sliced chicken over the salad. Drizzle with remaining dressing and serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything comes together in under 45 minutes but tastes like you put real thought into it
- The chipotle and honey create this perfect balance of sweet and heat that keeps you coming back for another bite
02 -
- The chicken needs those 5 minutes of resting time or all the juices will run out onto your cutting board instead of staying where they belong
- Don't dress the salad more than 10 minutes before serving or the greens will start to wilt and lose their crunch
03 -
- Pat the chicken dry before adding it to the marinade for better adherence of those spices
- Taste the dressing before adding it to the salad, lime intensity can vary and you might want to adjust the honey