Best 3 Chipotle Southwest Salad Recipes

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the Southwest with our tantalizing Chipotle Southwest Salad. This delectable dish combines a medley of textures and tastes that will leave you craving for more. Featuring a bed of crisp mixed greens, juicy grilled chicken, roasted corn, black beans, avocado, and a zesty chipotle dressing, this salad is a symphony of flavors that will ignite your taste buds. Accompanying this main recipe are two additional variations to cater to diverse preferences: a vegetarian version with roasted sweet potatoes instead of chicken, and a vegan version that omits both chicken and cheese, while adding roasted chickpeas for a protein boost. Whether you're a meat lover, vegetarian, or vegan, we've got you covered with our versatile Chipotle Southwest Salad.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

SIMPLE SOUTHWEST SALAD WITH CREAMY CHIPOTLE DRESSING

Simple Southwest Salad with Creamy Chipotle Dressing image

This Simple Southwest Salad is a perfect light lunch! You'll be addicted to the creamy (yet light!) chipotle dressing!

Provided by Casey Rooney

Categories Dinner lunch Salad Side Dish

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 5

Ingredients

6 cups romaine lettuce
1 cup frozen corn (canned works too!)
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup pepitas (See Note 1)
1/2 cup Creamy Chipotle Dressing (Recipe Linked Here)

Steps:

To a large bowl, add all salad ingredients.
Toss with Creamy Chipotle Dressing (see recipe link above) serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 2 cups, Calories 238 kcal, Carbohydrate 26.1 g, Protein 4.8 g, Fat 14.6 g, SaturatedFat 2.3 g, Cholesterol 8 mg, Sodium 516 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 10.7 g

SOUTHWESTERN CAESAR SALAD WITH CHIPOTLE DRESSING

Southwestern Caesar Salad with Chipotle Dressing image

Categories Salad Cheese Leafy Green Tomato Bake Spring Bon Appétit

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 tablespoon canned low-salt chicken broth
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoon minced canned chipotle chilies (in adobo sauce)
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 large head romaine lettuce, cut into bite-size pieces
2 medium tomatoes, seeded, diced
1/2 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed, drained
4 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

Whisk mayonnaise, chicken broth, soy sauce, lemon juice, chipotles and brown sugar in medium bowl to blend. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. (Dressing can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Mix lettuce, tomatoes and corn in large bowl. Add dressing and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese and toss to coat. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese and serve.

SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN SALAD WITH CHIPOTLE CHILES

Southwestern Chicken Salad With Chipotle Chiles image

Chipotles add heat and smokiness to this dish, which can be served as a salad or used to fill corn tortillas for soft tacos. The radishes give a fresh crunch and the avocado gives a cool creaminess.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories weekday, salads and dressings

Time 40m

Yield Serves four to six

Number Of Ingredients 23

Ingredients

1 whole chicken breast on the bone, skinned and split, or 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 1/3 to 1 1/2 pounds
2 1/2 quarts water
1 onion, quartered
2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or oregano, or a combination
Salt to taste 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar or cider vinegar
Salt
freshly ground pepper to taste
1 small or medium garlic clove, minced
1 scant teaspoon cumin seeds, toasted and coarsely ground
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 to 4 tablespoons chicken stock from poaching the chicken breasts, as needed
1 whole chicken breast or 2 large boneless skinless breasts, poached and shredded about 4 cups shredded chicken
Salt
freshly ground pepper
4 large radishes, diced, plus 2 radishes, sliced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 to 3 chipotle chiles en adobo, rinsed, seeded and cut into thin strips
8 romaine lettuce leaves, cut crosswise into wide strips
1 small avocado, sliced

Steps:

Combine the water, the quartered onion and the whole crushed garlic cloves in a 2-quart saucepan, and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts, and bring back to a simmer. Skim off any foam that rises, and then add the dried herbs. Cover partially, reduce the heat to low and simmer 15 to 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. (Cut one in half; the meat should not be pink.) Add salt to taste. Allow the chicken to cool in the broth if there is time. Remove the chicken from the broth when cool enough to handle. Remove from the bone and shred, pulling strips of chicken off the top of the breast. Pull with the grain, and the meat comes apart naturally. You should have about 4 cups of shredded chicken. Strain the chicken broth, and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, skim off and discard the fat, and freeze the broth in smaller containers.
Mix together the ingredients for the dressing.
Place the shredded chicken in a large bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss with the diced radishes, cilantro, chipotles and all but 2 tablespoons of the dressing.
Toss the romaine lettuce with the remaining dressing, and arrange on a platter. Top with the salad. Garnish the top of the salad with the sliced radishes and the sliced avocado, and serve.

Tips:

Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make all the difference in the flavor of your salad.
Don't be afraid to experiment. There are many different ways to make a Chipotle Southwest salad, so feel free to add or remove ingredients to suit your taste.
Make sure your dressing is well-balanced. The dressing should not be too heavy or too light, and it should have a good balance of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors.
Serve the salad immediately. This will prevent the greens from wilting and the dressing from becoming watery.

Conclusion:

The Chipotle Southwest salad is a delicious and healthy meal that is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. It is packed with flavor and nutrients, and it is easy to make. With a few simple tips, you can make a Chipotle Southwest salad that is sure to impress your friends and family.