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 CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Place tortilla strips on a baking sheet; spritz both sides of strips with butter-flavored cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 4-5 minutes or until crisp. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, cook chicken in oil over medium heat until no longer pink; set aside. , Combine the salad greens, corn, beans, 1 cup tomatoes, green pepper, jicama and onions; arrange on a serving platter. Place chicken in center of salad; sprinkle with cheese and remaining tomatoes. Arrange tortilla strips around chicken. , In a small bowl, combine the ranch dressing and barbecue sauce; serve with salad.

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.

SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Fill a large skillet with 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water. Add lemon slices, bay leaf, peppercorns and 2/3 of the thyme, and bring to boiling over high heat. Add chicken, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-18 minutes, turning chicken once, until juices run clear and chicken is no longer pink. Remove chicken from liquid and set aside to cool.
• In a small skillet, stir together the paprika and remaining thyme over medium-low heat for 2 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk together the toasted paprika mixture, mayonnaise, sour cream, salt, ground pepper and nutmeg until evenly blended.
• Cube cooled chicken and transfer to a medium bowl. Add prepared dressing, corn, cilantro, orange pepper and jalapeno and toss until evenly coated. Serve warm, or refrigerate until ready to serve.

SOUTHWEST CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Place the chicken in a shallow dish and add 1 tbsp of the oil, lime juice plus zest, garlic, and seasonings. Rub the chicken well, then cover the dish and allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes over the counter. If time allows, you can marinate in the fridge overnight.
• Meanwhile, combine all dressing ingredients into a small bowl and whisk until smooth.
• Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat and add the other 1 tbsp of oil. Add the chicken and cook for 5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Allow the chicken to slightly cool, then slice it.
• While the chicken cools, add all the salad ingredients to a bowl.
• Top with juicy chicken and drizzle the dressing over.
• Toss to combine then serve. Enjoy!

SOUTHWEST SMOKED CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Smoke the chicken in a stove-top smoker according to the instructions with the smoker, using mesquite chips. In the meantime, toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet on the stove over medium heat. Be sure to keep an eye on them so they don't burn. Cook the bacon to a crisp consistency and drain on a paper towel. Chop when cool. Save drippings for another use. (Cornbread is a good pairing, so the drippings can be used in a cast iron skillet for that preparation.) When the chicken is done, debone the meat, remove the skin and cut the meat into bite-size chunks. Combine in a large bowl with all other ingredients and chill completely - overnight is best. Serve with a drizzle of the BBQ sauce.

SOUTHWESTERN SHREDDED CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Combine lettuce, chicken, corn, beans, bell pepper, avocados, tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro for salad in a large bowl.
• Stir yogurt, mayonnaise, taco seasoning, and ranch dressing mix for dressing together in a small bowl.
• Pour 1/2 of the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Gradually add more dressing until it is dressed to your liking. Top with tortilla chips before serving.

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.