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Santa Fe Chicken Salad

After a glorious week of sunshine and warm temperatures...I'm thinking of BBQ's, picnics and salads. Here's a salad that is sure to be a favorite at our place this summer. We stopped by Earl's for lunch out on their patio last week and enjoyed the best Cajun chicken salad.


I took note of what was in it and made a copycat version at home. I'll share that with you...and you can add or take away...and make it your own! I think it was the Riverwalk guacamole in San Antonio that got me hooked on all things lime. Give it a try you won't be sorry.

Santa Fe Chicken Salad

Ingredients:
  • 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless and (seasoned with fajita seasoning)
  • 6-8 cups mixed salad greens
  • 1 14 oz. can black beans, drained
  • 1 12 oz. can corn kernels, drained
  • several slices red onion, chopped
  • 2 avocados, halved and sliced
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
  • tortilla chips or tortilla strips

     Peanut Lime Vinaigrette Dressing:
  • 1/2 cup lime juice
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 Tablespoon peanut butter
  • 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2-3 tablespoons lime zest
  • 1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts, finely chopped
  • black pepper
  • sea salt

    Method:
  1. Prepare the salad dressing. Using a hand-held blender, combine mustard, lime juice, olive oil and peanut butter. Blend until emulsified. Season with sea salt and pepper. Then, stir in the lime zest and chopped peanuts.
  2. Prepare all the salad ingredients.
  3. Grill seasoned chicken breasts.
  4. Let the chicken breasts rest for several minutes and then cut them into smaller strips.
  5. To serve, assemble the salad on four plates. Start with a bed of greens; sprinkle with beans, corn and red pepper.
  6. Top each with a grilled chicken breast, 1/2 an avocado, crumbled feta cheese and tortilla chips or strips. 
  7. Drizzle with dressing and serve.

15 comments:

  1. Judy, This looks delicious. I'll have to give it a try.

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  2. Judy this is yummy, scrumptious..will be making this salad next time the bbq gets fired up!

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  3. Oh that dressing sounds so interesting...gonna have to try that!
    Thanks Judy!

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  4. I'm making a list Judy. . .it looks wonderful and I'm hooked too ..it looks beautiful and perfect for summer guests.

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  5. Your salad looks beautiful and I'm convinced! Need to make my list too!

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  6. This is definitely food 'right up my alley'!!! Love it! Great photo too and for a 'copycat' version...grin...I think you did a terrific job!

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  7. What a lovely salad, this looks delicious!

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  8. Bring on summer salads! This looks like one that I will need to make. If anyone else has a peanut allergy like myself I find that using soy nut butter works well in many recipes. I'll try it with this recipe too. Your salad presentation looks wonderful. Kathy

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  9. What a perfect 'company' salad... I love salads with chicken and that dressing looks scumptious. Best of all.. your salad is gluten-free !! smile Thank-you! Judy

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  10. Looks very delicious (I miss Earl's, we don't have it in Eastern Canada)

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  11. I'm your newest follower! How could I resist such a yummy blog!

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  12. True, Tired, and Tested! This is an excellent saldad. I cheated, I knew she was posting this, but I needed the recipe in advance, and it was so good, that I've made another recipe for my supper guests tonight.

    Enjoy!

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  13. This looks great. I'm making this for dinner tonight.

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  14. I've been following your blog since its beginning and have never commented. I've tried countless recipes and all have drawn favorable comments! I've made this salad many times and it's one that's requested often in our family - we all love it! Even though the recipe says to grill the chicken, I have cooked it in a non-stick pan with good results. I look forward to checking the blog everyday - thank you so much!

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  15. I made this salad with Grilled tequila lime chicken http://www.onceuponachef.com/2011/06/grilled-tequila-lime-chicken.html
    And it worked really well with this salad. I toasted the corn in a pan but grilling cobs of fresh corn would Be good. A good summer salad. Will make this again and again��

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