Chipotle Lime Chicken Salad Recipe

Introduction

This Chipotle Lime Chicken Salad is a zesty, flavorful dish perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner. Creamy chipotle dressing combines with tender chicken and fresh veggies for a vibrant and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (optional or add more yogurt)
• Juice from 1 lime
• 2 Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 clove garlic (finely minced)
• ½ teaspoon chipotle chili powder
• 4 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
• ½ cup canned sweet corn (drained)
• 1 red bell pepper (finely diced)
• 1 orange bell pepper (finely diced)
• ¼ cup romaine lettuce (thinly sliced)
• ¼ cup red onion (finely diced)
• ¼ cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro (plus more for garnish)
• ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Add the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, kosher salt, minced garlic, and chipotle chili powder to a food processor or high-speed blender. Blend until the dressing is smooth and creamy.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded cooked chicken, black beans, corn, red and orange bell peppers, romaine lettuce, red onion, cilantro, and freshly cracked black pepper.
3. Step 3: Pour the chipotle dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
4. Step 4: Serve the salad immediately with extra romaine lettuce leaves or tortilla chips for scooping.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, add an additional chipotle pepper or a dash of cayenne pepper to the dressing.
• Substitute cooked turkey or rotisserie chicken if preferred.
• Add diced avocado for creaminess and extra nutrition.
• Serve wrapped in large lettuce leaves for a low-carb option.
• Use fresh corn off the cob instead of canned for a sweeter flavor.

Storage

Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The dressing may thicken as it chills; stir in a little water or lime juice to loosen before serving. This salad is best enjoyed fresh but can be served cold or at room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the salad and dressing separately and combine them just before serving to keep the vegetables crisp.

Is this salad gluten-free?

Yes, all the ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Just be sure to serve with gluten-free tortilla chips if needed.

Chipotle Lime Chicken Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 52 reviews

This Chipotle Lime Chicken Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish, combining shredded cooked chicken with a smoky, tangy chipotle lime dressing. Loaded with black beans, sweet corn, colorful bell peppers, and fresh cilantro, it’s perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner. The creamy dressing is made with Greek yogurt and a touch of mayonnaise, blended with spicy chipotle peppers and zesty lime juice, delivering a balanced heat and freshness in every bite.

• Author: Mia
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dressing

• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (optional or add more yogurt)
• Juice from 1 lime
• 2 Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 clove garlic (finely minced)
• ½ teaspoon chipotle chili powder

Salad

• 4 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
• ½ cup canned sweet corn (drained)
• 1 red bell pepper (finely diced)
• 1 orange bell pepper (finely diced)
• ¼ cup romaine lettuce (thinly sliced)
• ¼ cup red onion (finely diced)
• ¼ cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro (plus more for garnish)
• ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. Prepare the dressing: Add the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, kosher salt, minced garlic, and chipotle chili powder to a food processor or high-speed blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and well combined.
2. Mix the salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken, rinsed black beans, drained sweet corn, finely diced red and orange bell peppers, thinly sliced romaine lettuce, diced red onion, roughly chopped fresh cilantro, and freshly cracked black pepper. Stir together to distribute ingredients evenly.
3. Combine salad and dressing: Pour the prepared chipotle lime dressing over the mixed salad ingredients. Toss gently but thoroughly until everything is evenly coated with the dressing. Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with additional salt or black pepper if desired.
4. Serve: Serve the chipotle lime chicken salad immediately, either on its own or accompanied by romaine lettuce leaves and crunchy tortilla chips for added texture and flavor contrast.

Notes

• You can omit the mayonnaise if you prefer a lighter dressing or keep it fully Greek yogurt-based.
• For a spicier salad, add an extra chipotle pepper or a pinch more chipotle chili powder.
• This salad can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours; flavors will meld and intensify.
• Substitute shredded rotisserie chicken if short on time.
• Serve as a filling for wraps or tacos for a delicious variation.

Keywords: chipotle lime chicken salad, chicken salad, chipotle dressing, Mexican chicken salad, healthy chicken salad, black bean salad