Southwest Smoked Chicken Salad Recipes

SOUTHWEST GRILLED CHICKEN SALAD RECIPE

Steps:

• In a food processor or blender add the onion, garlic, oregano, cumin, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, smoked paprika, lime juice, fresh cilantro, salt, and pepper. Pulse a few times to liquefy. Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness. Place the chicken in a large zip-top plastic bag, pour the marinade over the chicken and massage a few times to distribute the marinade evenly over the chicken. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours to overnight.
• Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and allow to sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before grilling. Preheat the grill to 400ºF.Grill the chicken without turning for 5-7 minutes per side (this will depend on the thickness of your chicken breasts), or until a thermometer reads 165ºF degrees in the thickest part. Remove from the grill and let rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing.Grill the corn and jalapenos for 15-20 minutes, turning frequently, until lightly charred.
• Place the chopped lettuce on the bottom of a large platter or salad bowl. Top with the black beans, grilled corn, grilled jalapenos, tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, and sliced grilled chicken.
• Serve with our Fire Roasted Salsa or our Creamy Jalapeno Cilantro Dip.

SOUTHWESTERN SMOKED CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Brine the chicken: In a large saucepan or mixing bowl, combine the water and salt and stir until the salt crystals dissolve. Add the chicken breasts and thighs. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours. Drain, but do not dry the chicken: Smoke clings better to wet surfaces.
• When ready to cook, prepare your smoker for 325 degrees. Arrange the chicken on the grill grate and smoke the chicken until the juices run clear and the internal temperature when read on an instant-read meat thermometer is 165 degrees F, 45 to 50 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool.
• Dice the chicken, discarding any skin, bones, or gobbets of fat. Transfer to a mixing bowl. Add the red and green bell peppers, the scallions, and pickled jalapenos. Stir gently to distribute the ingredients.
• Make the dressing: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lime juice, cumin, black pepper, and garlic salt. Stir in the cilantro. Add the dressing to the chicken mixture and stir gently until well-combined. Transfer to a serving bowl. Dust with paprika. Serve immediately, or cover and chill for up to 3 days.

SOUTHWEST CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients; pour over chicken mixture and toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving. Serve as desired., Salads: Top salad greens with chicken salad; sprinkle with almonds., Pitas: Line pita halves with lettuce leaves; fill with chicken salad., Wraps: Place chicken salad off-center on tortillas; top with avocado. Roll up.

COSTCO CHICKEN SALAD COPYCAT

Steps:

• 1. Remove chicken from the bones - remove the skin as well (not great in this salad) 2. You will use about 1/2 of the chicken from a Costco rotisserie chicken. You want to chop it up finely - I used a food chopper, and it worked great. 3. Chop celery and sweet onion very finely - again, I used a food chopper. 4. In a separate bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, salt, sugar, lemon juice, parsley, and vinegar. 5. Combine chicken, celery, and onion in a large bowl. 6. Fold in the dressing and combine together. 7. Refrigerate a few hours for best results!