Southwest Chicken Power Salad (Print version)

Grilled chicken combined with black beans, corn, and fresh vegetables tossed in a zesty lime-cilantro dressing.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken and Seasonings

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (14 oz)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
04 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Salad Components

08 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
09 - 1 cup corn kernels
10 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
11 - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
12 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
13 - 4 cups mixed salad greens
14 - 1 large avocado, sliced
15 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Lime-Cilantro Dressing

16 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
17 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
18 - 1 teaspoon honey
19 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
20 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
21 - Salt and black pepper to taste
22 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

# Directions:

01 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
02 - In a small bowl, combine olive oil, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Brush mixture evenly over both sides of chicken breasts.
03 - Grill chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Allow to rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - In a large bowl, combine salad greens, black beans, corn, red bell pepper, red onion, and cherry tomatoes.
05 - In a jar or small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, honey, minced garlic, cumin, salt, pepper, and cilantro until well combined.
06 - Drizzle half the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients.
07 - Arrange sliced chicken and avocado on top of salad. Drizzle with remaining dressing and sprinkle with fresh cilantro. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes, so you can actually make this on a weeknight without losing your mind.
  • The lime-cilantro dressing is bright enough that you forget you're eating something nutritious.
  • It tastes even better the next day, which makes it perfect for meal prepping without the depressing factor.
02 -
  • If your chicken is thicker than three-quarters of an inch, pound it down first—otherwise you'll have crunchy edges and a raw center.
  • Don't let the avocado near the dressing until you're actually eating it, because the acid will turn it sad and gray before you know what happened.
03 -
  • Slice the chicken while it's still slightly warm so it stays tender and juicy instead of drying out completely.
  • If you have time, let your dressing sit for fifteen minutes after you make it so the flavors get to know each other before they meet the salad.
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