When August rolls around, I’m almost ready to switch to Fall like meals, you know those stews, soups and curries. Don’t get me wrong, we’re still enjoying salads and lighter fare, but I can feel myself winding down and ready to switch seasons in the kitchen 🙂 But whatever you do, don’t let this summer go by without trying this salad that is sure to please all taste buds.
There’s just so much flavor happening in this Mexican inspired salad, from the baked chicken strips to the roasted peppers and red onions, from the olives and black beans to the avocado slices and creaminess of the cilantro lime dressing. A fork full of this goodness will have your family begging you to make this again and again. I love salads that are hearty and wholesome. The only thing I didn’t do here was to actually grill the chicken on the barbeque which would have given it that distinct charred look.
Gathering some of the ingredients together
Fajita Salad with Creamy Cilantro dressing
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast cut into strips
- cooking spray
- 6 cups shredded romaine lettuce
- 1 1/3 cups thinly sliced red pepper rings
- 1 cup sliced red onion, separated into rings
- 1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat monterey jack cheese (2 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons sliced ripe olives
- 1 (15oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes chopped in half
- 1 avocado
Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
- 1/2 cup nonfat sour cream
- 1/2 cup light mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup skim milk
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
Method
- Combine all ingredients for cilantro-lime sauce, and stir well with a whisk. I added some mashed avocado here too. Cover and chill
- Combine first 6 ingredients, olive oil to black pepper in a medium bowl. Add chicken; toss to coat. Place a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat until hot. Add chicken mixture; saute 8 minutes or until chicken is done. Alternatively place on skewers and grill on barbeque.
- Roast peppers and red onions separately in oven.
- To plate, place lettuce leaves in a circular pattern in large bowl (see picture).
- Add roasted peppers and roasted red onion.
- Add olives, beans, shredded cheese, cherry tomatoes and sliced avocado. Add chicken.
- Drizzle cilantro lime dressing. Mix and serve.
Mexican salad bowl is one of my favorites; love the black beans in them, cannot do without them. Cilantro lime dressing sounds divine; awesome!!!
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Thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed the visual
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Its so yummy…Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Thank YOU 🙂
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I love fajitas, just because you can use any ingredients you want. I like your dressing too 🙂
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Beautiful colors and looks so yummy, Loretta! Happy days to you!<3
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Thanks so much. Apologies for taking so long to respond. Enjoy the last few weeks of summer 🙂
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No worries, that’s a good idea enjoying every moment, Loretta. I’m going back to school for staff development so ,my summer is over. It really was a great one. Take care😉💗
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Gorgeous! And some of my most favorite flavors! Have you ever tried white balsamic? Although your dressing is white and beautiful, I’ve tended to not like brown balsamic vinegar in vinaigrettes because of the color. Just wondering what you used!
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I actually used brown, but it only called for a wee bit, so the color hadn’t changed much. But I know what you mean, I do use the white balsamic too.
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I’ve never bothered to find out if white balsamic is authentic, like the brown, but i like it so much that I continue to use it without googling!
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Gorgeous and this is perfect for this time of year! I’ll be making this – as a matter of fact, I’ll be making this in the upcoming week! 🙂
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So did you make it Mollie? How did it turn out? I’ve been lazy with my responses haven’t I?
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Not yet, but I will! And it made me think I should make a jerk chicken salad, too. 🙂 Not lazy, just popular!! And for good reason.
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Now there’s a thought! I rather fancy a jerk chicken salad right at this moment. Wow! I’ll be looking out for it 🙂 Ha!! Popular? Hardly!!! I’m not your typical blogger, I have no idea how many follow me, I haven’t a clue which dish gets the most hits on my blog, or which travel post gets looked at the most. I’m clueless when it comes to social media, except FB. So no, not at all my dear. 🙂
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And modest, too! 🙂
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Fajita Salads are my absolute favorite! And so perfect for the summer dining, right?
Your salad looks awesome too. That is truly an art. I wish my salads looked better.
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Hi Sandhya, so sorry I haven’t been keeping up with my responses. Thanks for stopping by. I’ve had to go back about 3 posts. I’ve been procrastinating, I apologize. Although I’ve been making so many yummy salads this summer, I’m eagerly waiting for the cooler weather, so we can make our comfort foods yet again huh? Agree?
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That bowl looks so appetizing! 🙂
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