Best, Easy and Spicy Mexican Chicken Salad

Best, Easy and Spicy Mexican Chicken Salad - This Easy, Fast Mexican Chicken Salad with Avocado and Corn is extremely filling, crunchy and packed full of flavour with smoky vibrant spices in the chicken and dressing and crunchy fresh salad ingredients.

Best, Easy and Spicy Mexican Chicken Salad

This nutritious and delicious filling Mexican Chicken Salad is filling, vibrant, delicious and creamy too!

Any time I start to think about eating a little healthier, I start to think about Chicken Salads.

The great thing about this salad is that is doesn’t feel like a chore to eat and so it has become part of our weekly eating plan.

It is a salad that is easily customisable and you can have it served in wraps as a Mexican Chicken Wrap or with Nachos too, because why not?!

This is fast becoming my favourite salad for summer because it is loaded with veg- Red Onion, Lettuce, Jalapenos, Avocado, Corn, Tomatoes and it is topped with delicious Smoky Chicken, Smashed Avocado and a Lime based dressing. My idea of the perfect salad!

What’s more? It is ready to eat in 20 minutes!

What do you put in a Chicken Salad

Chicken Salad is a salad made with Chicken, a specific mixed salad and a dressing or binder such as mayonnaise or a salad dressing.

The chicken is is often served on top of lettuce, tomato, avocado. 

It can be made with leftover, rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken.

Is a salad with chicken in it healthy?

Yes absolutely! Especially Chicken Salad that is made with lean Chicken Breast which is lower in calories compared to wings, thigh or leg meat.

How to make bland chicken salad taste better?

Chicken Salad should never be bland. If it is, it will benefit from a dressing such as Caesar dressing, a squeeze of Lemon or Lime, Some Mayonnaise, Some Chilli Sauce, a little Mustard. Use your favourite dressing and add it to the salad.

You can also add Pickles such as Gherkins or Jalapeños to add flavour.

What is Mexican Chicken Salad?

It isn't a Mexican Salad but the flavours in this salad are inspired by the flavours of Mexico, including a quick mashed Lime and Chilli Avocado, Mexican Spiced Chicken and a Lime dressing.

What's in a Mexican Chicken Salad?

This recipe is loaded with Mexican flavours. The list does look extensive and it is but if you keep everything ready beforehand, it is actually very simple to make.

Here is what you need to make Mexican Chicken Salad and possible substitutions:

Boneless skinless chicken Breast

You could use boneless skinless Chicken Thighs but this will mean that the salad is more calorific. It will also affect cooking times. You will need to cook the thighs for longer.

Olive or Avocado Oil

You can use either. You can also use Corn or Vegetable Oil.

Marinade

Garlic, Ground Cumin, Ground Coriander, Smoked Paprika, Cayenne Pepper, Salt and Pepper.

You can also use a Cajun Spice mix instead.

For the Smashed Avocado

Avocado

Make sure it is ripe when buying. Or use a store brought Guacamole.

Lime

Lime and Avocado compliment each other perfectly. You can use Lemon too.

Chilli Flakes

A pinch goes a long way here. You could also use Cayenne or Red Chilli Pepper instead.

Salt and Pepper

Just a touch to season and lift.

For the Salad

Lettuce

Cucumber

Cherry tomatoes

Pickled Jalapeños Slices

Corn

Red Onion

Or use your favourite store brought salad.

For the Dressing

Oil, Lime, Garlic, Cumin, Cayenne, Honey, Salt and Pepper.

You can also add 1/2 tsp of a Cajun Spice mix.

How to make Mexican Chicken Salad

Detailed instructions are at the bottom of the page.

Add chicken to a bowl with garlic, smoked paprika, cayenne, cumin, coriander, salt & pepper. You can mariande for 30 minutes at this stage.

Add Oil to a pan. Once hot, add Chicken.

Cook for 10 - 15 minutes over medium/low and remove from pan. Turn midway.

Mash Avocado with Lime Juice. Add Chilli Flakes, Salt and Pepper.

Assemble Lettuce, Corn, Cherry Tomatoes, Jalapeños, Cucumber and Red Onions on plate.

Add Cooked Chicken and Avocado on top.

Dressing for Mexican Chicken Salad

Make the dressing by combining oil, honey lime juice, garlic, cayenne, cumin and salt and pepper in bowl. Whisk together to combine. Pour over the salad.

Optional - Top with Feta/Mexican Cheddar (Available from Morrisons).

You can have it in a plate or like I have here as a Mexican Chicken Salad bowl.

Is Mexican Chicken Salad Healthy?

Yes, this is a healthy salad. Full nutritional information can be found below.

How long does homemade Mexican chicken salad last?

Place leftovers in a sealed airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

If you are making ahead, store the dressing seperately and add a little per day as you serve.

Should Mexican chicken salad be warm or cold?

Chicken Salad can be served warm or cold but I think Chicken Salad benefits from resting for 20 - 30 minutes. This helps the flavours to mingle resulting in a much tastier salad.

What is the secret to making a good salad?

Flavour! Layers and layers of flavour and texture is needed to make a Chicken Salad special.

Adding lots of flavour to the Chicken before grilling, baking or roasting it.

Adding crunchy Vegetables - Fresh and Pickled.

Add some Texture - Toasted and chopped Nuts, fruits and seeds add texture and flavour.

A punchy dressing - Your dressing should also be extremely flavourful and perfectly balanced. 

Types of Salad Dressing (Alternatives)

If the Salad dressing below is not for you, why not try:

A Herb Dressing made with 3 parts Olive Oil, 1 part Vinegar, 1/4 tsp dry Herbs, 1 clove Garlic, 1 tsp Dijon Mustard.

Honey and Mustard Dressing - Using 1 tsp Mustard, 1 tsp Honey, 1/2 tsp Vinegar, 3 parts Oil Oil.

Recipe Tips and Substitutions

Smoked Paprika

Smoked Paprika can be substituted with Chipotle Powder which is a very smoky and delicious powder or paste that can be found in most supermarkets.

Chicken

I used Chicken Breast in this recipe. You can use boneless Chicken Thighs but you will need to cook it a littler longer.

Do not overcook the chicken, it will come out dry and rubbery.

If grilling the Chicken 6 - 8 minutes is enough and on stove top - 10 minutes is usually sufficient. Check the chicken is cooked through before serving.

Lettuce 

You can use Iceberg, Romaine, Cos - Whatever you like.

Oil

You can use Corn or Veg Oil in place of Avocado or Olive oil.

More Chicken Salad Recipe:

Indian Spiced Chicken Salad

Simple Chicken Salad with Avocado Dressing

Chicken Tikka Salad – Perfect for Meal Prep

Lemon and Herb Chicken Salad

Indian Chicken Salad with Avocado Green Chutney Dressing

Turkish Chicken Salad

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