Chipotle Lime Chicken Salad (Printable)
A vibrant salad with smoky chipotle-marinated chicken, crisp vegetables, and tangy lime dressing for a refreshing meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tbsp lime juice (freshly squeezed)
04 - 2 tsp chipotle chili powder
05 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1 garlic clove, minced
07 - 1 tsp honey
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ For the Salad
10 - 6 cups mixed salad greens (romaine, arugula, baby spinach)
11 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
13 - 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned and drained)
14 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced
15 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
16 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
→ For the Chipotle Lime Dressing
17 - 3 tbsp olive oil
18 - 2 tbsp lime juice
19 - 1 tsp chipotle chili powder
20 - 1 tsp honey
21 - 1/2 tsp salt
22 - 1/4 tsp cumin
23 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
# Directions:
01 - In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, chipotle chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined.
02 - Add chicken breasts to the bowl, turning to coat evenly. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
03 - Heat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.
04 - Place marinated chicken on the preheated grill or skillet. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the chicken is cooked through.
05 - Transfer cooked chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes to retain juices. Slice thinly against the grain for maximum tenderness.
06 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, chipotle chili powder, honey, salt, cumin, and minced garlic until fully emulsified and smooth.
07 - In a large serving bowl, combine mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, avocado slices, red onion, and cilantro. Toss gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
08 - Drizzle half of the chipotle lime dressing over the salad mixture. Toss gently to coat all vegetables without crushing delicate greens.
09 - Arrange sliced chicken over the dressed salad. Drizzle with remaining dressing and serve immediately while chicken is still warm and vegetables are crisp.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The chipotle marinade transforms ordinary chicken into something that tastes like it came from a restaurant kitchen
- Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, but the flavors taste like they've been developing all day
- Its the kind of meal that leaves you feeling satisfied and energized, not weighed down
02 -
- The marinade creates beautiful char marks on the chicken, which adds depth that you can't get from seasoning alone
- Cilantro stems pack more flavor than the leaves, so don't be afraid to toss a few into the dressing
- Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly than cold from the fridge, so let it sit out while you prep
03 -
- Pound your chicken to even thickness before marinating for the most consistent results
- Let the grilled chicken rest for the full 5 minutes, otherwise all those juices end up on your cutting board instead of in your salad