Chick-fil-A Southwest Salad Recipe
This Chick-fil-A Southwest Salad combines juicy, spicy grilled chicken marinated in dill pickle juice with a fresh blend of mixed greens, black beans, fire-roasted corn, tomatoes, and roasted red peppers. Topped with crunchy tortilla strips and paired with a creamy, zesty cilantro salsa dressing, this salad offers a flavorful, satisfying meal perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 large thinly-sliced boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 4 ounces each)
- ½ cup dill pickle juice (optional but encouraged)
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (more or less to taste)
Creamy Salsa Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise (full-fat preferred)
- ½ cup sour cream (full-fat preferred)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
- 1 squeeze fresh lime juice (plus more to taste)
Salad
- 8–9 cups mixed greens (spinach, red lettuce, green lettuce, arugula, baby romaine, etc.)
- ¼ cup cooked black beans (drained and rinsed if canned)
- ¼ cup fire-roasted corn kernels (drained and rinsed if canned, defrosted if frozen)
- 12 grape tomatoes
- ¼ cup roasted red peppers (diced)
- ½ cup tortilla strips
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the thinly-sliced chicken breasts in an airtight container and pour in the dill pickle juice to fully cover the chicken. Seal the container and refrigerate for 1 hour, but do not marinate for more than 8 hours to avoid texture changes.
- Prepare the Creamy Salsa Dressing: In a blender, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, fresh cilantro, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Blend until smooth and well incorporated, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. Taste and add fresh lime juice, blending or stirring again. Adjust lime juice and salt to your preference. Transfer the dressing to a jar or bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high, aiming for about 375° to 400° Fahrenheit.
- Make the Chicken Spice Rub: In a small bowl, whisk together cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until uniformly blended.
- Season the Chicken: Remove the chicken from marinade and thoroughly pat dry with paper towels. Place the chicken on a large plate and rub the spice blend generously over all sides to ensure even coverage.
- Grill the Chicken: Lightly spray the grill rack with a neutral oil spray to prevent sticking. Place the chicken breasts over indirect heat on the grill. Cook for 5 minutes, then flip and grill for another 5 to 8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 158° to 160° Fahrenheit.
- Rest and Slice the Chicken: Remove the grilled chicken from the grill and transfer to a cutting board. Let it rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, then slice into strips or bite-sized pieces.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine mixed greens, black beans, fire-roasted corn, grape tomatoes, and roasted red peppers. Toss gently to mix everything evenly.
- Serve the Salad: Divide the salad mixture between two bowls. Top each with sliced grilled chicken and garnish with tortilla strips. Serve immediately with the prepared creamy salsa dressing on the side.
Notes
- Marinating chicken in dill pickle juice tenderizes and adds a subtle tangy flavor—do not skip for best taste.
- Use fresh lime juice in the dressing for brightness; adjust seasoning to your preference.
- To ensure juicy grilled chicken, avoid overcooking and allow proper resting time.
- Feel free to swap out tortilla strips for crunchy nuts or seeds for a different texture.
- This salad pairs perfectly with iced tea or a light sparkling water.
Keywords: Chick-fil-A Southwest Salad, grilled chicken salad, creamy salsa dressing, healthy salad recipe, Southwest salad with chicken
Find it online: https://miarosetti.com/chick-fil-a-southwest-salad-recipe/
