Chicken Fajita Salad
Marinated and pan roasted chicken is the star in this Chicken Fajita Salad.
I LOVE taco salads. I could eat taco salad every week. Yes, I hear you, “This isn’t taco salad.” I know. It’s the next best thing! Fajita Salad with Pan Roasted Chicken!! Because what’s better than tacos? FAJITAS! You’ll see, I’m on a fajita kick.
And why not? They’re quick and tasty for a weeknight meal. And to make them a salad? HEALTHY!
So, here’s how this went down. I bought the chicken in my regular grocery trip. I whipped up the marinade and then put it and the chicken in the vacuum seal bag, sealed and froze the chicken…
WITH THE MARINADE! Crazy! I KNOW!
Then, on the day I made the salad, I crisped up some corn tortilla strips in the oven for some nice crunch, roasted the onions and peppers, pan roasted the chicken, assembled the salad, sliced the chicken, and placed it on top. YUM! Grab a fork, it’s that good.
And yes, there’s that Fiesta Ranch stuff again. Honestly, I’d drink it like milk if I could get away with it. It is my new favorite dressing that I want to pour over everything.
EVERYTHING!
Roasting the vegetables gives it that fajita feel in this salad. They’re usually broiled or grilled with the meat and served together. I wanted that crisp tender taste you get when you order fajitas out, including the tomatoes. I LOVE the broiled/grilled tomato in fajitas. It gets that caramelized layer with the tender sweet flesh. Is it dinner time yet? Cause I’m getting HUNGRY!
Chicken Fajita Salad
Tired of plain old salads? Spice things up with this Chicken Fajita Salad! Filled with juicy chicken, colorful veggies, and topped with a creamy avocado dressing, it's a party for your taste buds.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
For the Marinade:
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon tequila
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
For the Dressing:
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- Fiesta Ranch Dip Mix
For the Salad:
- 6 cups romaine lettuce
- 2 cups thinly sliced bell peppers
- 1 cup thinly sliced onion
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup fat free cheddar cheese
- 4 whole corn tortillas
Instructions
- Place the chicken in a zip top plastic bag.
- Combine the next six ingredients (lime juice through garlic powder) in a small bowl. Pour into the zip top bag with the chicken and marinate 10 to 30 minutes.
- Heat a large skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken 7 minutes, turn and then cook 5 to 8 minutes more until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the middle.
- While the chicken is cooking, preheat the oven to 400. Cut the tortillas into thin strips and place on a baking sheet covered with aluminum foil and coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400 for 5 minutes, stir, and then an additional 5 to 10 minutes or until the tortillas are crispy. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Place the peppers, onions and tomatoes on a baking sheeting covered with aluminum foil coated with cooking spray. Roast in a 400 oven for 5 to 10 minutes or until the vegetables are slightly tender. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- To make the dressing, combine 1/4 cup lime juice, 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1 tablespoon ground cumin, and one package Fiesta Ranch Dip Mix. Using a whisk, stir well to combine and set aside.
- Remove from heat and allow to rest.
- Place 1 1/2 cups lettuce on each of four plates. Top with bell peppers, onions, cherry tomatoes, cheese, and tortillas strips.
- Thinly slice the chicken breasts, and place 4 ounces of chicken on each salad. Drizzle with salad dressing and serve.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 447Total Fat 10gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 106mgSodium 588mgCarbohydrates 37gFiber 7gSugar 11gProtein 54g
this looks delicious! yum. Hugs!
I love taco salads and pan-fried chicken too and your post reminds me that it has been too long since I have made it in our kitchen!
Well, what are you waiting for? LOL Thanks for dropping by and commenting.