Chipotle Lime Chicken Salad Recipe

Introduction

This Chipotle Lime Chicken Salad is a vibrant, flavorful dish perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner. Creamy, smoky, and tangy, it’s packed with fresh veggies and protein for a satisfying meal. Plus, it’s easy to prepare and can be served with tortilla chips or crisp lettuce leaves.

Ingredients

• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (optional or add more yogurt)
• Juice from 1 lime
• 2 Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 clove garlic (finely minced)
• ½ teaspoon chipotle chili powder
• 4 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
• ½ cup canned sweet corn (drained)
• 1 red bell pepper (finely diced)
• 1 orange bell pepper (finely diced)
• ¼ cup romaine lettuce (thinly sliced)
• ¼ cup red onion (finely diced)
• ¼ cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro (plus more for garnish)
• ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Add the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, kosher salt, garlic, and chipotle chili powder to a food processor or high-speed blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, black beans, corn, red and orange bell peppers, romaine lettuce, red onion, cilantro, and black pepper.
3. Step 3: Pour the chipotle dressing over the chicken and vegetable mixture. Toss everything thoroughly until evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired.
4. Step 4: Serve immediately with romaine lettuce leaves and tortilla chips for scooping, or enjoy it as a hearty salad on its own.

Tips & Variations

• Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut and extra flavor.
• For a creamier texture, add more Greek yogurt or a touch of sour cream.
• Swap black beans for pinto or kidney beans if preferred.
• Add avocado slices or diced jalapeño for extra creaminess or heat.
• Make it vegetarian by omitting the chicken and adding extra beans or grilled vegetables.

Storage

Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the dressing mixed in for best flavor, but for crispness, you may wish to store dressing separately and toss before serving. Reheat the chicken separately if you prefer a warm salad, then combine with fresh ingredients.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, this salad can be prepared a day in advance. Store it in the refrigerator and toss before serving to refresh the flavors.

Is this salad spicy?

The chipotle peppers and chili powder add a smoky heat, but you can adjust the spice level by using fewer chipotle peppers or omitting the chili powder if you prefer milder flavors.

Chipotle Lime Chicken Salad Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 50 reviews

This Chipotle Lime Chicken Salad combines tender shredded chicken with a smoky, tangy chipotle lime dressing, black beans, sweet corn, and colorful bell peppers. It’s a vibrant, flavorful dish perfect for a light lunch or dinner, served fresh with crunchy tortilla chips or crisp romaine lettuce leaves.

• Author: Emma
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chipotle Lime Dressing

• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (optional or add more yogurt)
• Juice from 1 lime
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 clove garlic (finely minced)
• ½ teaspoon chipotle chili powder

Salad

• 4 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
• ½ cup canned sweet corn (drained)
• 1 red bell pepper (finely diced)
• 1 orange bell pepper (finely diced)
• ¼ cup romaine lettuce (thinly sliced)
• ¼ cup red onion (finely diced)
• ¼ cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro (plus more for garnish)
• ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dressing: Add the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, kosher salt, minced garlic, and chipotle chili powder to a food processor or high-speed blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy with a consistent texture.
2. Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, place the shredded cooked chicken, rinsed and drained black beans, drained sweet corn, finely diced red and orange bell peppers, thinly sliced romaine lettuce, finely diced red onion, chopped fresh cilantro, and freshly cracked black pepper. Gently toss to mix the ingredients together evenly.
3. Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared chipotle lime dressing over the salad mixture and toss thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Taste the salad and adjust seasoning by adding additional salt or black pepper if desired.
4. Serve: Serve the salad immediately, accompanied by crisp romaine lettuce leaves and crunchy tortilla chips for scooping, adding a refreshing crunch and making it perfect as a light meal or appetizer.

Notes

• For a spicier kick, add an extra chipotle pepper or more adobo sauce to the dressing.
• This salad can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 2 days; add the lettuce leaves just before serving to maintain their crunch.
• Substitute mayonnaise with extra Greek yogurt for a lighter, lower-fat option.
• Use grilled chicken for added smoky flavor if preferred.
• Serve with warm corn tortillas or taco shells as an alternative to tortilla chips.

Keywords: Chipotle Lime Chicken Salad, smoky chicken salad, Mexican chicken salad, healthy chicken salad, no-cook chicken salad