**Chipotle Lime Chicken Salad**
Chicken salad is a flexible dish where chicken is the primary component, commonly served with a dressing based on mayonnaise and an assortment of other ingredients. This specific recipe introduces a Mexican flair, incorporating beans, bell pepper, corn, celery, and onions, all coated in a rich chipotle lime dressing.
For the chicken, you might use poached chicken breasts or the ease of a rotisserie chicken. After preparing the chicken, the salad can be assembled in no time and enjoyed fresh or after resting overnight for the flavors to blend. This salad works wonderfully for sandwiches, wraps, or as a dip with tortilla chips.
**Ingredients**
*For the chicken salad:*
– 4 cups chicken, cooked and shredded or sliced
– 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
– 1 cup bell pepper, diced
– 1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
– 1/2 cup celery, thinly sliced
– 1/4 cup red onion, diced
– 1/4 cup green onion, sliced
*For the chipotle lime dressing:*
– 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt (or cottage cheese)
– 1/3 cup mayonnaise
– 2 chipotle chilies in adobo sauce
– 1 teaspoon (smoked) paprika
– 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
– 1 teaspoon ground cumin
– 1 clove garlic, minced/grated
– 1 tablespoon lime juice
– 1 teaspoon lime zest
– 1 tablespoon honey
– Salt and pepper to taste
**Directions**
*For the chicken salad:*
1. Combine all salad ingredients, add the dressing, and serve!
*For the chipotle lime dressing:*
1. Thoroughly mix all dressing ingredients.
**Options:**
– Incorporate 1-2 cups shredded romaine.
– Mix in cheese such as crumbled cotija or shredded cheddar.
– Include 1 jalapeno (fresh, roasted, or pickled), sliced or diced.
– Add 1 poblano (fresh, roasted, or pickled), sliced or diced.
**Nutrition Facts:** Calories 235, Fat 19g (Saturated 4g, Trans 0), Cholesterol 57mg, Sodium 411mg, Carbs 18g (Fiber 5g, Sugars 5g), Protein 18g.