Santa Fe Chicken Salad: A Flavorful Fiesta in a Bowl
Santa Fe Chicken Salad is a fiesta of flavor in a bowl! This is a vibrant and flexible dish with flavors and ingredients inspired by the Southwest. It’s a popular item in restaurants, and it’s also a delicious meal to make at home.
In this article, we’ll give you a complete guide to making the perfect Santa Fe Chicken Salad in your own kitchen. We’ll go over some recipe variations, different dressing options, and some helpful tips for preparing and storing it.
We’ll cover the key ingredients, including the grilled chicken, the colorful vegetables, and the tangy or smoky dressing.
The building blocks of a Santa Fe masterpiece
The best thing about making a Santa Fe chicken salad is that you can customize it to your liking. However, there are a few core elements you won’t want to skip.
The chicken
I think it’s crucial to start with well-seasoned chicken. Taco seasoning is a common choice. You can use store-bought taco seasoning or make your own.
You can cook your chicken in a variety of ways. Grilling it gives it a smoky flavor. Pan-frying is quick and easy. Using a rotisserie chicken is the most convenient of all.
The vegetables
Romaine lettuce, corn, black beans, tomatoes, and avocado are the cornerstones of a good Santa Fe salad. If you want to add other veggies, bell peppers, red onion, green onion, and jalapenos are all great choices.
Other additions
For extra creaminess, you can add cheese. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, cotija, and queso fresco are all good options.
If you want to add some extra texture and nutrition, consider adding a grain like quinoa, bulgar wheat, or rice.
Dressing it up: Tangy, smoky, and sweet options
The dressing can really make or break a salad, so let’s talk about some options for your Santa Fe chicken salad.
Tangy lime dressing: A classic choice
For a bright, fresh flavor, you can’t go wrong with a simple lime dressing. You’ll need:
- Olive oil
- Fresh lime juice
- Cilantro
- Maple syrup or honey
Fresh lime juice is key here. Bottled juice just won’t give you the same vibrant flavor.
Chipotle honey dressing: Adding a smoky kick
If you like a little smoke with your sweet and tangy, try this chipotle honey dressing. The ingredients are:
- Olive oil
- Lime juice
- Chipotle peppers in adobo
- Honey
- Cilantro
- Garlic
The blend of acidic lime, smoky chipotle, and sweet honey is fantastic. Make sure you mince the chipotle peppers and garlic really finely so the flavor is evenly distributed.
Santa Fe sauce: A restaurant copycat option
Some recipes try to replicate the Santa Fe chicken salad you might find at Chili’s. If that’s your jam, you can find recipes online for a creamy, spiced Santa Fe sauce.
RECIPE: Step-by-step to Santa Fe salad perfection
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Prepare the Chicken:
I like to season chicken breasts with taco seasoning before cooking for an extra kick. You can grill them, pan-fry them, or even use rotisserie chicken to make it easy. Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing – this keeps it juicy!
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Make the Dressing:
Whisk all the dressing ingredients together in a bowl. Taste it and adjust the seasonings to your liking. I usually add a little extra lime juice, but that’s just me!
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Assemble the Salad:
Grab a big bowl and combine your lettuce, all those colorful veggies, and the cooked chicken. Drizzle the dressing over everything and toss gently to coat. Don’t overdo it with the dressing; you can always add more later.
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Serve immediately and enjoy!
Top it with cheese, tortilla strips, or avocado. Then dig in!
Variations and substitutions: Customize your salad
One of the best things about a salad is that you can easily change it up to suit your tastes or use what you have on hand.
Vegetarian options
If you’d like to make this a vegetarian salad, you can easily substitute the chicken with black beans, quinoa, chickpeas, crispy tofu, or even hard-boiled eggs.
Ingredient swaps
Don’t be afraid to swap out ingredients based on your preferences. For example, you can use pinto beans instead of black beans, or spinach, kale, or arugula instead of romaine.
Dietary considerations
This salad is naturally gluten-free. If you need to make it dairy-free, just be sure to use a dairy-free dressing or make your own with olive oil and lime juice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What salad dressing comes with the Santa Fe Crisper salad?
The Santa Fe Crisper salad typically comes with a creamy ranch dressing that has a bit of a kick. It’s often a southwestern-style ranch, sometimes with a hint of chili or lime to complement the other flavors.
Is Santa Fe chicken healthy?
Whether Santa Fe chicken is “healthy” depends on the ingredients and portion size. Grilled chicken is a lean protein, but the addition of creamy dressings, cheese, and fried tortilla strips can increase the calorie and fat content. Opting for lighter dressings and smaller portions can make it a healthier choice.
What dressing is the Santa Fe chicken salad served with at Chili’s?
The Santa Fe chicken salad at Chili’s is served with a citrus-balsamic vinaigrette. This dressing provides a tangy and slightly sweet contrast to the savory chicken and other southwestern-inspired ingredients.
Is Santa Fe salad healthy?
Like Santa Fe chicken, the healthiness of a Santa Fe salad depends on its ingredients and preparation. A salad with grilled chicken, lots of vegetables, and a light vinaigrette can be a nutritious option. However, watch out for high-calorie additions like fried toppings, excessive cheese, and creamy dressings, which can quickly turn it into an unhealthy choice.
Putting It All Together
Here are some tips to make assembling your Santa Fe chicken salad even easier:
- Grill the chicken and corn ahead of time.
- Use a salad spinner to get your greens nice and dry.
- Wait until just before serving to slice your avocado. This will keep it from turning brown.
If you want to make this salad ahead of time, store all the parts separately in airtight containers in the fridge. Keep the dressing in a separate container as well. You can even prep individual salad bowls ahead of time and have them ready for lunch!