Best 3 Cafe Rio Chicken Salad Recipes

**Café Rio Chicken Salad: A Delightful Blend of Mexican and American Flavors**

Café Rio Chicken Salad is a culinary masterpiece that seamlessly blends the zesty flavors of Mexican cuisine with the comforting ingredients of American comfort food. This tantalizing salad boasts tender, shredded chicken, a symphony of crisp vegetables, a creamy and tangy dressing, and a sprinkle of crunchy tortilla strips, all harmoniously arranged atop a bed of fresh greens. With its vibrant colors, enticing aromas, and explosion of flavors, Café Rio Chicken Salad is a feast for the senses and a delightful treat for lunch or dinner. Whether you're a fan of Mexican-inspired dishes or simply seeking a refreshing and flavorful salad, this recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings.

**Unveiling the Culinary Treasures Within:**

1. **Classic Café Rio Chicken Salad Recipe:** Embark on a culinary journey with this authentic recipe that captures the essence of Café Rio's signature salad. Perfectly seasoned chicken, a medley of crisp vegetables, and a delectable dressing come together to create a dish that will transport your taste buds to a Mexican fiesta.

2. **Easy Café Rio Chicken Salad Recipe:** Experience the flavors of Café Rio without sacrificing convenience. This simplified recipe streamlines the cooking process, allowing you to savor the same delectable salad in less time. Enjoy the perfect balance of flavors without compromising on taste.

3. **Healthy Café Rio Chicken Salad Recipe:** Indulge in a guilt-free version of Café Rio Chicken Salad without sacrificing flavor. This recipe incorporates wholesome ingredients and a lighter dressing, making it a nutritious and satisfying meal option. Enjoy a vibrant and flavorful salad that nourishes your body and tantalizes your taste buds.

4. **Chicken Salad Dressing Recipe:** Elevate your salad-making skills with this versatile dressing recipe. Master the art of creating the signature Café Rio dressing, a creamy and tangy concoction that perfectly complements the salad's ingredients. Experiment with different herbs and spices to tailor the dressing to your personal preferences.

5. **Copycat Café Rio Chicken Salad Recipe:** Recreate the magic of Café Rio's chicken salad in the comfort of your own kitchen. This recipe meticulously replicates the flavors and textures of the original dish, offering an authentic culinary experience. Impress your family and friends with your newfound culinary prowess.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CAFE RIO CHICKEN SALAD

Cafe Rio Chicken Salad image

I wanted to keep this recipe safe, where my three toddlers couldn't write all over it. This is extremely time consuming, but well worth all of your efforts. You can find all these ingredients at Walmart. If you have never cooked with tomatillos before try to pick ones that have the "paper wrapper" still attached. Remove this wrapper once home and throughly rinse the tomatillo. They usually are a little sticky, this is normal. Cut out the top of the tomatillo like you would a tomato. I hope you enjoy these recipes!

Provided by Elisa

Categories Greens

Time 6h

Yield 8 salads, 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 35

Ingredients

2 1/2 lbs chicken, fat trimmed
1 (2/3 ounce) package Italian salad dressing mix
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup green enchilada sauce
1 cup rice
2 cups water
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules or 2 chicken bouillon cubes
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cilantro, finely chopped
2 (15 1/4 ounce) cans black beans, undrained
1 cup green enchilada sauce
1/8 cup diced green chilis
1 1/2 teaspoons lime juice
2 cups flour tortilla mix
1/2 cup warm water
2 large tomatoes
1 small red onion
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon lime juice
1 (1/2 ounce) package hidden valley buttermilk salad dressing mix
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tomatillos
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro
2 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/2 jalapeno, finely chopped, seeds removed
queso fresco
corn tortilla strips
lettuce

Steps:

FOR THE CHICKEN:.
Add all ingredients to a crockpot and cook on high 3 hours.
Shred chicken with two forks and cook an additional 30 minutes.
FOR THE RICE:.
Bring the water to a boil.
Add rice, bouillon, salt, lime juice, and cilantro. Cover.
Simmer on low for 20 minutes.
Remove from heat and fluff with fork. Allow to cool to room temperature.
FOR THE BEANS:.
Add all ingredients to a pot and simmer for 30 minutes.
FOR THE SALSA FRESCA:.
Finely chop the tomatoes and onion.
Add the cilantro and lime juice and toss to evenly coat.
FOR THE TORTILLAS:.
Combine tortilla mix and water.
Let rest, covered with a damp towel, at room temp for 15 minute.
Heat a cast iron skillet to 400 degrees or medium heat.
Roll out tortillas as thin as you can get them.
Heat until bubbles form and the tortilla looks dry.
Turn. The tortillas should have golden brown spots on each side when they are done.
FOR THE TOMATILLO DRESSING:.
Add all ingredients to a blender and mix until well combined.
TO PUT IT ALL TOGETHER:.
Line a large bowl with one of the tortillas. Top in layers with rice, beans, chicken, lettuce, salsa fresca, queso, tortilla strips, and the dressing.
ENJOY!

CAFE RIO CHICKEN

Cafe Rio Chicken image

Make and share this Cafe Rio Chicken recipe from Food.com.

Provided by JLBurnell

Categories Chicken Breast

Time 5h10m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

Ingredients

1 (8 ounce) bottle kraft zesty Italian dressing
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
3 garlic cloves, minced
5 lbs chicken breasts

Steps:

Cook all together in a crock pot for 4 hours on low.
Shred meat.
cook 1 additional hour.
Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 770.5, Fat 46.1, SaturatedFat 11.8, Cholesterol 242.1, Sodium 647, Carbohydrate 5.5, Fiber 0.6, Sugar 3.3, Protein 79.5

HEALTHY MEALS MONDAY: CAFE RIO SLOW COOKER CHICKEN AND CILANTRO RICE

Healthy Meals Monday: Cafe Rio Slow Cooker Chicken and Cilantro Rice image

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

Chicken
8 oz (light or fat free) Italian dressing - about half a bottle
1 Tablespoon cumin
1 Tablespoon chili powder
3lbs frozen chicken breasts
Rice
2 cups uncooked brown rice
2 cups chopped cilantro
1 cup salsa verde (green salsa)
1 bunch green onions
4 cups of water
A pinch of salt

Steps:

Mix cumin, chili powder & dressing in bowl
Place frozen chicken breasts in crock pot
Pour mixture over chicken & cover
Cook on high for 5 hrs or on low for 7 to 8. Shred chicken in the crockpot and mix it well.
Wash and chop the cilantro. Mix the cilantro with 2 cups of water and pour in the pan for cooking the rice. Add two more cups of water, the salt, Salsa Verde, and onion. Bring to a boil. Stir in the rice in the boiling water. Cover and turn down heat to very low; steam for 30 minutes. Makes about 10 servings.
Put it all together with Toppings:
Cook whole wheat burrito tortillas on non-greased skillet 10-15 seconds on each side
Put Chicken, Cilantro Rice, black beans, avocado, lowfat cheese, cilantro, tomatoes, (I also added red pepper, green onions and spinach) inside of tortilla.
Add anything else you like (fat free sour cream, salsa, etc.)
Roll up your tortilla and eat your delicious and healthy Cafe Rio Burrito!

Nutrition Facts : Servingsize 1 serving, Calories 3045 kcal, Fat 132 g, SaturatedFat 37 g, Cholesterol 871 mg, Sodium 4881 mg, Carbohydrate 149 g, Sugar 25 g, Protein 298 mg

Tips:

Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
If you don't have a rotisserie chicken, you can boil or bake chicken breasts and shred them.
To save time, you can use store-bought dressing or salsa.
Add other vegetables to the salad, such as shredded carrots, celery, or bell peppers.
For a spicier salad, use a spicy dressing or salsa.
Serve the salad immediately or store it in the refrigerator for later.

Conclusion:

Café Rio chicken salad is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. It is also a great way to use up leftover chicken. With its fresh, flavorful ingredients, this salad is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.