Salsa Chicken Salad

Bursting with vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients, this Salsa Chicken Salad is a fresh and hearty meal perfect for lunch or dinner. Juicy, seasoned chicken breasts are pan-seared with smoky paprika and shredded to perfection, then tossed with crisp romaine lettuce, sweet cherry tomatoes, and crunchy cucumbers. A zesty salsa-based dressing, blended with sour cream or Greek yogurt and a splash of lime juice, ties everything together with a creamy, tangy kick. Topped with cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, this salad is as delicious as it is colorful. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's an easy, gluten-free recipe that's packed with protein, ideal for busy weeknights or whenever you’re craving a Tex-Mex-inspired dish.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 4 cups Romaine lettuce
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
• 0.5 pieces Cucumber
• 0.25 pieces Red onion
• 1 cup Corn kernels (cooked or canned, drained)
• 0.5 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro (optional)
• 0.5 cup Salsa (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 tablespoons Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon Lime juice

Directions

Step 1

Preheat a skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil.

Step 2

Season the chicken breasts with salt, ground black pepper, and smoked paprika.

Step 3

Cook the chicken breasts in the skillet for 6-7 minutes per side, or until they are cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before shredding with two forks.

Step 4

While the chicken is cooking, prepare the vegetables: chop the romaine lettuce, halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the cucumber into thin rounds, and finely dice the red onion.

Step 5

In a large salad bowl, combine the romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, red onion, corn kernels, and shredded cheddar cheese.

Step 6

In a small bowl, whisk together the salsa, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), and lime juice to make the dressing.

Step 7

Add the shredded chicken to the salad bowl, then drizzle the salsa dressing over the top.

Step 8

Gently toss the salad to combine all ingredients evenly.

Step 9

Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired, and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1287.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1323.0

Total Fat 54.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 21.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.5g
Cholesterol 371.3mg	0%
Sodium 4187.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 79.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.5g	0%
Total Sugars 25.1g
Protein 136.7g	0%

Vitamin D 3.5IU	0%
Calcium 611.1mg	0%
Iron 8.2mg	0%
Potassium 2616.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.0%

Protein: 40.5%

Carbs: 23.5%