Zesty Chicken Fajita Salad with Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
Indulge in a vibrant and flavorful Zesty Chicken Fajita Salad that brings the taste of your favorite restaurant dish right to your kitchen. Tender strips of seasoned chicken are quickly sautéed to perfection and tossed with crisp romaine lettuce, colorful bell peppers, and fresh herbs. Drizzled with a creamy cilantro lime dressing, each bite is a delightful mix of tangy, savory, and a hint of spice. This one-dish meal is not only satisfying but also packed with nutrients, making it a perfect choice for a quick lunch or a hearty dinner. Pair it with warm tortillas or crunchy tortilla chips for an added touch of flavor!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fajita seasoning
(recipe below)
Boneless skinless chicken breast
1 lb (cut into thin strips)
Vegetable cooking spray
as needed
Fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon
Salt & fresh ground pepper
to taste
Chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons
Shredded romaine lettuce
6-8 cups
Green bell pepper
1/2 cup (thinly sliced)
Red bell pepper
1/2 cup (thinly sliced)
Red onion
1 small (sliced into rings)
Shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican blend cheese
1/2 cup
Pinto or black beans
1 (15 ounce) can (rinsed and drained (optional))
Roma tomato
1 (diced)
Black olives
4-8
Avocado
1 (sliced)
Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
(recipe below)
Instructions
1
In a small bowl, combine chili powder, ground cumin, Mexican oregano, and salt to create your fajita seasoning.
2
Coat a large skillet with vegetable cooking spray and place it over medium-high heat until hot.
3
Add the chicken strips to the skillet, sprinkle with the fajita seasoning, and sauté for about 8 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
4
Once cooked, drizzle the chicken with fresh lime juice, and season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.
5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded romaine lettuce, thinly sliced green and red bell peppers, shredded cheese, diced tomato, and pinto or black beans if desired.
6
Add the sautéed chicken to the mixing bowl and toss everything together with your creamy cilantro lime dressing.
7
Serve the salad individually, garnished with sliced avocado and black olives. Pair with warm tortillas or crispy tortilla chips and your choice of salsa or pico de gallo.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Zesty Chicken Fajita Salad?
It is a vibrant and flavorful salad featuring seasoned sautéed chicken, crisp romaine lettuce, bell peppers, and a creamy cilantro lime dressing.
What goes into the homemade fajita seasoning?
The seasoning is a blend of chili powder, ground cumin, Mexican oregano, and salt.
How should the chicken be prepared for this recipe?
One pound of boneless skinless chicken breast should be cut into thin strips before cooking.
How long does it take to cook the chicken?
The chicken strips should be sautéed for approximately 8 minutes, or until they are cooked through and no longer pink.
What heat setting should I use for the skillet?
The skillet should be placed over medium-high heat until hot before adding the chicken.
What type of lettuce is best for this salad?
The recipe calls for 6 to 8 cups of shredded romaine lettuce for a crisp base.
Can I add beans to the fajita salad?
Yes, you can add one 15-ounce can of rinsed and drained pinto or black beans if desired.
What kind of cheese is recommended?
Shredded Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend cheese works best for this dish.
How are the bell peppers prepared?
Both the green and red bell peppers should be thinly sliced.
What kind of onion is used in the salad?
One small red onion, sliced into rings, is included in the vegetable mix.
How do I add a citrus flavor to the chicken?
After cooking, drizzle the chicken strips with one tablespoon of fresh lime juice.
What are the suggested garnishes for this salad?
The salad is traditionally garnished with sliced avocado, black olives, and chopped fresh cilantro.
What type of dressing is used for this recipe?
A creamy cilantro lime dressing is used to toss the salad together.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is described as a perfect choice for a quick lunch or a hearty dinner.
What can I serve on the side with this salad?
You can pair it with warm tortillas, crunchy tortilla chips, and your choice of salsa or pico de gallo.
Is vegetable oil used for cooking the chicken?
The recipe suggests coating the skillet with vegetable cooking spray instead of liquid oil.
What type of tomato should I use?
One diced Roma tomato is recommended for the salad mix.
How many black olives are suggested?
The recipe suggests using between 4 to 8 black olives for garnish.
Is the salad spicy?
It has a hint of spice from the chili powder and cumin, but it is primarily tangy and savory.
Can I use a different type of chicken?
While the recipe specifies boneless skinless chicken breast, you could likely substitute with chicken thighs if preferred.
How is the salad assembled?
Combine the lettuce, peppers, cheese, tomatoes, and beans in a large bowl, add the chicken, and toss with dressing.
Is this a healthy recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy recipe that is packed with nutrients and fresh ingredients.
How much cilantro is needed for the garnish?
Two tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro are used to garnish the sautéed chicken.
Can I make this salad vegetarian?
You could omit the chicken and increase the amount of pinto or black beans to make it vegetarian.
What makes the salad 'zesty'?
The combination of lime juice, fajita seasoning, and the tangy cilantro lime dressing provides the zesty flavor.
Do I need to season the chicken with anything else?
In addition to the fajita seasoning, you should season with salt and fresh ground pepper to taste after cooking.
What is the serving suggestion for the avocado?
The avocado should be sliced and placed as a garnish on the individual servings.
Is this a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is considered a satisfying one-dish meal because it contains protein, vegetables, and fats.
How many bell peppers do I need?
You will need 1/2 cup each of thinly sliced green and red bell peppers.
Can I use pre-made fajita seasoning?
Yes, though the recipe provides instructions to make your own from chili powder, cumin, oregano, and salt.