Southwestern Chicken Caesar Salad with Chipotle Dressing

Elevate your salad game with this bold and flavorful Southwestern Chicken Caesar Salad with Chipotle Dressing. Tender grilled chicken breasts, seasoned with smoky spices like cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika, take center stage atop crisp romaine lettuce. A zesty chipotle dressing—blended with lime juice, honey, and fiery chipotle peppers—brings a spicy kick to this classic Caesar-inspired dish. Crunchy tortilla strips and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese add irresistible texture and a savory finish. Perfect for busy weeknights or as a crowd-pleasing entrée, this Southwest Caesar salad offers a fusion of vibrant flavors and satisfying ingredients in just 35 minutes.

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces chicken breasts
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 hearts romaine lettuce
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup tortilla strips
• 2 pieces chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 0.5 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 clove garlic clove
• 2 tablespoons water

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix olive oil, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create a marinade.

Step 3

Pat chicken breasts dry and coat them evenly with the marinade. Let them sit for 10 minutes while the grill heats up.

Step 4

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

Step 5

While the chicken is grilling, prepare the chipotle dressing. In a blender, combine chipotle peppers, mayonnaise, lime juice, honey, garlic clove, and water. Blend until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more water, if necessary.

Step 6

Wash and chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Place it in a large salad bowl.

Step 7

Top the lettuce with the sliced grilled chicken, grated Parmesan cheese, and tortilla strips.

Step 8

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

Step 9

Serve immediately and enjoy your Southwestern Chicken Caesar Salad with Chipotle Dressing.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1948.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2526.7

Total Fat 170.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 28.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.0g
Cholesterol 443.6mg	0%
Sodium 2676.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 115.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.1g	0%
Total Sugars 17.4g
Protein 145.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1002.5mg	0%
Iron 16.7mg	0%
Potassium 2718.0mg	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: 59.5%

Protein: 22.6%

Carbs: 18.0%