Santa Fe Chicken Salad Applebee's

Satisfy your craving for a bold and hearty meal with this vibrant Santa Fe Chicken Salad inspired by Applebee’s! Bursting with Tex-Mex flavors, this salad features juicy, perfectly grilled chicken seasoned with a smoky blend of chili powder, paprika, and garlic. Served atop a crisp bed of romaine lettuce, it’s loaded with colorful toppings like black beans, sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado slices, shredded cheddar cheese, and crunchy tortilla strips. A drizzle of tangy Santa Fe dressing ties everything together, creating a delightful balance of zest, creaminess, and crunch. Ready in just 30 minutes, this crowd-pleasing recipe is perfect as a quick lunch, dinner, or even a centerpiece for entertaining. Serve with lime wedges for a fresh citrusy kick and elevate your salad game with this dynamic and easy-to-make dish!

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces Chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 6 cups Romaine lettuce
• 1 cup Black beans (canned, drained and rinsed)
• 1 cup Corn kernels (canned, drained or fresh)
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 0.5 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Tortilla strips
• 1 piece Avocado (sliced)
• 0.5 cup Santa Fe dressing (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 pieces Lime wedges (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium heat.

Step 2

Rub the chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then season with chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

Grill the chicken for 6-7 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing it into strips.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, toss the romaine lettuce with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to coat lightly.

Step 5

On a large serving platter or individual plates, arrange the lettuce as the base.

Step 6

Top with black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, and shredded cheddar cheese, distributing them evenly across the lettuce bed.

Step 7

Add the grilled chicken strips on top of the salad.

Step 8

Sprinkle the crispy tortilla strips over the salad for crunch.

Step 9

Arrange the avocado slices around the top of the salad for a fresh and creamy addition.

Step 10

Drizzle the Santa Fe dressing all over the salad, or serve it on the side for individual preference.

Step 11

Garnish with lime wedges if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1725.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2555.9

Total Fat 146.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 33.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.8g
Cholesterol 366.2mg	0%
Sodium 5269.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 167.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 42.7g	0%
Total Sugars 25.0g
Protein 160.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 768.7mg	0%
Iron 13.6mg	0%
Potassium 2991.1mg	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: 50.1%

Protein: 24.4%

Carbs: 25.5%