Chipotle-Spiced Southwestern Chicken Caesar Salad
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the Southwest with this Chipotle-Spiced Southwestern Chicken Caesar Salad. Featuring tender, seasoned grilled chicken and a rich, creamy chipotle dressing, this salad is a delightful fusion of classic Caesar and southwestern flair. I highly recommend preparing the dressing up to 24 hours in advance to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. You can also grill the chicken a day ahead and refrigerate it, making this dish perfect for meal prep or entertaining. If black beans aren't your favorite, feel free to substitute them with sweet corn niblets. Adjust seasoning and dressing ingredients to suit your taste buds, and elevate your salad experience with this refreshing treat!
4
Servings
600
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breasts
5 (trimmed)
olive oil
as needed (for brushing)
fajita seasoning mix
1 (1 1/3 ounce) package (seasoning for chicken)
romaine lettuce
1 small head (torn into bite-size pieces (about 7-8 cups))
black beans
3/4-1 cup (rinsed and well drained (or corn niblets))
garlic-flavored croutons
1 1/2 cups (or to taste)
grated parmesan cheese
1/3 cup (for topping)
red bell pepper
1-2 (seeded and sliced into rings)
mayonnaise
1 cup (for dressing)
sour cream
1/2 cup (for dressing)
cumin
1/2 teaspoon (for dressing)
anchovy fillets
2 (for dressing)
green onions
3 (chopped for dressing)
Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon (for dressing)
chipotle pepper
1 (from a jar or can, for dressing)
minced fresh garlic
2 teaspoons (for dressing)
Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons (for dressing)
black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (or to taste)
salt
to taste (optional for dressing)
Instructions
1
Preheat a grill or broiler to medium-high heat.
2
Brush olive oil generously over the chicken breasts, then evenly sprinkle the fajita seasoning on both sides.
3
Grill the chicken for about 6 minutes on each side or until fully cooked. Once done, set aside to cool, then slice into strips.
4
For the chipotle dressing, combine the mayonnaise, 2/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, sour cream, cumin, anchovy fillets, chopped green onions, Dijon mustard, chipotle pepper, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper in a blender or food processor.
5
Blend until smooth. Taste and season with salt if desired, then store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
6
In a large glass bowl, place the torn romaine lettuce and gently toss in the rinsed black beans (or corn niblets).
7
Layer the grilled chicken strips on top.
8
Add croutons and sliced red bell pepper rings to the salad.
9
Sprinkle with about 1/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
10
Drizzle the prepared chipotle dressing over the salad just before serving, or serve on the side.
Nutrition Information
35
Fat
37.5
Carbs
40
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is for Chipotle-Spiced Southwestern Chicken Caesar Salad.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains 600 calories.
How much protein is in each serving?
There are 40 grams of protein per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 35 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
Each serving contains 37.5 grams of carbohydrates.
How should the chicken be prepared for grilling?
Brush the chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle evenly with fajita seasoning mix on both sides.
How long should the chicken be grilled?
Grill the chicken for about 6 minutes on each side or until fully cooked.
Can I substitute the black beans in this salad?
Yes, you can substitute the black beans with sweet corn niblets if preferred.
What type of lettuce is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses one small head of romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces.
What ingredients are needed for the chipotle dressing?
The dressing requires mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, sour cream, cumin, anchovy fillets, green onions, Dijon mustard, chipotle pepper, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper.
How do I make the dressing smooth?
Combine all dressing ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
Can the dressing be made in advance?
Yes, it is recommended to prepare the dressing up to 24 hours in advance to allow flavors to meld.
Can I prepare the chicken ahead of time?
Yes, you can grill the chicken a day ahead and refrigerate it for meal prep.
What kind of croutons are recommended?
The recipe suggests using garlic-flavored croutons.
How much Parmesan cheese is needed for the topping?
You will need about 1/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese for the topping.
How much Parmesan cheese goes into the dressing?
The dressing requires 2/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
What cooking temperature should the grill be?
Preheat the grill or broiler to medium-high heat.
How should the red bell pepper be prepared?
The red bell pepper should be seeded and sliced into rings.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
The recipe contains 19 ingredients.
Is there anchovy in the dressing?
Yes, the dressing contains 2 anchovy fillets.
How many chicken breasts are used?
The recipe uses 5 trimmed boneless skinless chicken breasts.
What kind of mustard is in the dressing?
The dressing uses 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard.
How much garlic is in the dressing?
The dressing includes 2 teaspoons of minced fresh garlic.
When should the dressing be added to the salad?
Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving, or serve it on the side.
What type of seasoning is used for the chicken?
A 1 1/3 ounce package of fajita seasoning mix is used.
How many green onions are used?
The recipe calls for 3 chopped green onions for the dressing.
What are the tags for this recipe?
Tags include salad, chicken, southwestern, caesar, chipotle, healthy, meal prep, dressing, and grilled chicken.
How much sour cream is in the dressing?
The dressing uses 1/2 cup of sour cream.
Is salt required for the dressing?
Salt is optional and can be added to the dressing to taste.