Grilled Tex-Mex Chicken Salad

Time :40 minutes
Yield :6 servings

Recipe Background

Time to get all those Tex-Mex flavors right here in one dish! This Grilled Tex-Mex Chicken Salad stacks juicy, savory grilled chicken and a homemade corn salsa (with just a hint of spice) atop crisp and juicy garden vegetables, and it is just what you need to lift your spirits! With a honey-lime dressing and some salty cheese on top, Grilled Tex-Mex Chicken Salad is pure fun in salad form!
Time to get all those Tex-Mex flavors right here in one dish! This Grilled Tex-Mex Chicken Salad stacks juicy, savory grilled chicken and a homemade corn salsa (with just a hint of spice) atop crisp and juicy garden vegetables, and it is just what you need to lift your spirits! With a honey-lime dressing and some salty cheese on top, Grilled Tex-Mex Chicken Salad is pure fun in salad form!

Ingredients

For the chicken and the corn:

  • neutral-flavored oil to taste, for greasing the grill grates
  • 4 ears corn husks removed
  • 1 1/2 pounds chicken thighs boneless and skinless
  • salt to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon Mexican créma or non-fat plain yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder

For the dressing:

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

For the salad:

  • 6-8 cups mixed salad greens
  • 2 cups multi-colored cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/3 cup cotija cheese crumbled
  • cilantro optional, to taste, chopped, for garnish

Directions

  • Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
  • Lightly grease the grill grates with the neutral-flavored oil.
  • Season the corn and the chicken thighs with the extra salt and the extra pepper.
  • Place the corn and the chicken on the hot grill and cover the grill.
  • Cook the chicken and the corn, turning them halfway through, until the chicken thighs reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, and the corn is lightly charred, about 13-15 minutes.
  • Transfer the corn and the chicken from the grill and let them rest for 5 minutes.
  • Slice the chicken thighs into strips.
  • Cut the kernels from the cobs and transfer them to a bowl.
  • Add 2 tablespoons of the lime juice, the minced garlic, the mayonnaise, the Mexican créma, and the ancho chili powder to the corn kernels and mix until well-combined.
  • In a small mixing bowl, add the olive oil, the remaining lime juice, the honey, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper and whisk until combined.
  • In a large salad bowl, add the salad greens, the cherry tomatoes, and the dressing and toss to combine.
  • Top the salad mixture with the corn salsa, the chicken slices, and the cotija cheese.
  • Serve the salad garnished with the cilantro.
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