Description
This Chipotle Chicken Chopped Salad is a bold, flavor-packed meal loaded with juicy seasoned chicken, crisp veggies, and a smoky chipotle vinaigrette. Perfect for meal prep, this hearty salad is fresh, satisfying, and easy enough for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp. taco seasoning
For the Salad:
- 4–5 cups chopped red cabbage
- 1 (15-oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup fire-roasted corn, thawed
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium ripe avocado, cubed
- 1/3 cup crumbled cotija or queso fresco
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Optional:
- Tortilla chips, for serving
Chipotle Vinaigrette:
- 1/2 cup avocado oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- 1 chipotle chili pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
Instructions
- Season the Chicken:
In a bowl, toss chicken with olive oil and taco seasoning until evenly coated. - Cook the Chicken:
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken for 5 minutes per side, or until fully cooked. Let rest, then chop into bite-sized pieces. - Make the Dressing:
Add all vinaigrette ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. - Assemble the Salad:
In a large bowl, combine cabbage, black beans, corn, bell pepper, avocado, cheese, and cilantro. - Combine and Serve:
Add chopped chicken and drizzle with dressing. Toss well and serve with tortilla chips if desired.
Notes
Use only half a chipotle pepper for a milder dressing.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Add avocado just before serving to keep it fresh.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~2 heaping cups
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 880 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
