Description
A homemade version of the Chick Fil A Spicy Southwest Salad, featuring juicy chicken, crunchy vegetables, and creamy dressing.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar (or any vinegar)
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 medium chicken breasts (or 3 small)
- 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
- 6-8 cups chopped spinach (or romaine)
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, sliced
- 1/2 cup black beans
- 1/2 cup corn
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
- 1/4 cup pepitas
- 1 cup crumbled tortilla chips (or tortilla strips)
- 1/3 cup Southwest Salad Dressing
Instructions
- Mix the marinade ingredients together. In a small bowl, whisk together the white wine vinegar, orange juice, avocado oil, minced garlic, cayenne, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Place the chicken in an airtight container or freezer bag and pour the marinade over it. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight for maximum flavor.
- Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 350 degrees F. Once heated, place the marinated chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, add the chopped red bell pepper to the pan and continue baking for another 15 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Prepare the salad. While the chicken and bell peppers are baking, mix the salad dressing in a separate bowl and chop the spinach. In a large salad bowl, toss together the spinach, grape tomatoes, black beans, corn, and shredded cheese.
- Combine and serve. Once the chicken and bell peppers are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly. Then, slice the chicken and add it to the salad along with the bell peppers. Toss everything together gently. For serving, plate each salad, topping with pepitas, tortilla chips, and drizzling with the Southwest Salad Dressing. Enjoy!
Notes
For best flavor, marinate chicken overnight. Use fresh ingredients for better taste. Adjust spice levels to your preference.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American