Southwestern Grilled Chicken Salad With Tomato And Black Bean Salsa

The Southwestern Grilled Chicken Salad with Tomato and Black Bean Salsa is a delicious and vibrant salad packed with bold flavors. The chicken breast is seasoned with a blend of chili powder, brown sugar, coriander, and cumin, then grilled to perfection. It is served on a bed of crisp lettuce and topped with a refreshing tomato and black bean salsa.

The salsa, made with fresh cherry or grape tomatoes, black beans, scallions, and cilantro, adds a burst of color and texture to the salad. A zesty dressing made with olive oil, lime juice, honey, and green Tabasco ties all the flavors together.

This salad offers a delightful combination of smoky grilled chicken, tangy salsa, and crunchy lettuce. It’s a perfect dish for a light and satisfying meal, showcasing the vibrant flavors of the Southwest.

SERVES: 4

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 boneless skinless chicken breast half (6 to 7 oz.), trimmed
• 1/2 Tbs. chili powder
• 1 tsp. light or dark brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• Kosher salt
• 6 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil; more for the grill
• 2 Tbs. plus 2 tsp. fresh lime juice
• 1 Tbs. plus 2 tsp. chopped fresh cilantro, plus leaves for garnish
• 2 tsp. honey
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Green Tabasco (optional)
• 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
• 4 oz. small cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered or halved (about 3/4 cup)
• 1 large scallion, thinly sliced
• 2 small heads Bibb lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces (about 9 cups)
• 1 medium firm-ripe avocado
• 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts or pepitas

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prepare a medium-high gas or charcoal grill fire.
2. Trim and then butterfly the chicken breast by slicing it horizontally almost but not entirely in half so you can open it like a book.
3. Combine the chili powder, brown sugar, coriander, cumin, and 3/4 tsp. salt in a small bowl. Rub some of the spice mix over both sides of the butterflied chicken breast (you won’t need it all) and let sit while the grill heats.
4. Clean and oil the grill grate. Grill the breast until the edges of the top side are white, about 3 minutes. Flip and cook until just done, 1 to 2 minutes more. Let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
5. In a small bowl or a glass jar with a tight lid, combine the olive oil, lime juice, 1 Tbs. of the cilantro, the honey, 1/2 tsp. salt, a few grinds of pepper, and a few shakes of green Tabasco (if using). Whisk or shake well to combine.
6. Combine the black beans, tomatoes, scallion, the remaining 2 tsp. cilantro, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Add 2 Tbs. of the dressing and toss gently.
7. Put the lettuce in a bowl, season with a little salt, and toss with just enough of the dressing to lightly coat. (Reserve a little to drizzle on the chicken.) Arrange the lettuce on a platter or 4 dinner plates. Slice the chicken breast very thinly. Pit and slice the avocado. Arrange the chicken, avocado, and salsa on the lettuce. Drizzle a little of the remaining dressing over the chicken and avocado. Garnish with the pine nuts or pepitas and the cilantro leaves.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

PER SERVING

• 470 CALORIES | 18G PROTEIN | 28G CARB | 33G TOTAL FAT | 5G SAT FAT |
  21G MONO FAT | 5G POLY FAT | 25MG CHOL | 510MG SODIUM | 9G FIBER

NOTE:

• This quick dinner is heavy on the veggies and light on the meat. The spicy salsa amps up the flavor.