Southwestern Caesar Salad with Creamy Chipotle Dressing

Elevate your salad game with this Southwestern Caesar Salad with Creamy Chipotle Dressing—a bold and flavor-packed twist on the classic Caesar. Crisp romaine lettuce forms the base, topped with roasted corn, black beans, juicy grape tomatoes, creamy avocado, and crunchy tortilla strips for a delightful mix of textures. The star of the dish is the smoky, tangy dressing made with chipotle pepper, Greek yogurt, and a hint of honey, bringing a zesty southwestern flair to every bite. Finished with a generous sprinkle of crumbly Cotija cheese, this vibrant salad is a perfect balance of spice, creaminess, and fresh produce. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a must-try for a quick and satisfying meal that’s as nutritious as it is delicious!

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 hearts Romaine lettuce
• 1 cup Corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 1 cup Black beans (rinsed and drained)
• 1 cup Grape tomatoes
• 1 whole Avocado
• 1 cup Tortilla strips (store-bought or homemade)
• 0.5 cup Cotija cheese (crumbled)
• 0.5 cup Mayonnaise
• 0.25 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 whole Chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
• 1 clove Garlic clove
• 2 tablespoons Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Honey
• 0.5 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the corn kernels and roast for 3–5 minutes until they are slightly charred, stirring occasionally. Set aside to cool.

Step 2

Wash and dry the romaine hearts. Chop them into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large salad bowl.

Step 3

Rinse and halve the grape tomatoes. Dice the avocado. Set both aside for topping the salad.

Step 4

In a blender or food processor, combine mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, chipotle pepper, garlic, lime juice, olive oil, honey, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 5

Add the roasted corn, black beans, grape tomatoes, avocado, and tortilla strips to the bowl of romaine lettuce.

Step 6

Drizzle the creamy chipotle dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.

Step 7

Sprinkle the crumbled Cotija cheese over the top and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2357.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2688.1

Total Fat 170.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 30.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.0g
Cholesterol 169.6mg	0%
Sodium 3273.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 245.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 51.9g	0%
Total Sugars 36.9g
Protein 67.7g	0%

Vitamin D 12IU	0%
Calcium 1057.4mg	0%
Iron 19.7mg	0%
Potassium 4907.7mg	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: 55.1%

Protein: 9.7%

Carbs: 35.2%