There are a few components that take this salad from ordinary to extraordinary. Not only does it have a southwestern spice rub that gives the chicken va va voom factor, but also has a honey lime vinaigrette that is drizzled over the savory grilled veggies adding a spicy sweetness to the mix. I was going to grill almost everything, including the romaine, but when I pulled the onions, peppers, corn and chicken off the grill and left the top open so I could grab the romaine lettuce off of the table to put it on the grill, I encountered a bit of a problem. Much like a fighter pilot – one lone red beetle, lured by the spicy smell of some southwestern spice rub that remained on the grill grates, dove down and landed splat right in the center of the grill. I decided that was a sign to not grill the romaine and give the beetle a moment of silence as I closed the grill lid and retreated back to the kitchen, crisp romaine in hand.
Flustered by the kamikaze beetle, I assembled the salad, tossing the chopped romaine with the grilled onions, peppers, and fresh Jersey corn. I tossed some black beans into the mix, added the juicy spicy grilled chicken and drizzled over the honey lime vinaigrette. A few snaps of this lovely and dinner was served. After the salad was plated and served, I remembered that I forgot to add the queso fresco and for this cheese loving gal to forget the cheese, you know that the salad was THAT good.
Now – if you want to add queso fresco or even some cheddar or monterey jack cheese, feel free. As for me – next time I make this salad (and I can guarantee I will be making this salad rather often), I may not even add the cheese. One thing I will say – Liz’s recipe, like all of her others was flawless. When you are looking for the perfect summer salad, make this Grilled Southwestern Chicken Salad.
Just beware of grill-diving beetles.
On to the recipe:
Gather your ingredients
Making the Southwestern Spice Rub
Adding a bit of zesty southwestern spice to some chicken
and firing up the grill
Freshly grilled veggies ready for their debut
Now – doesn’t this look like the perfect summer salad.
Yields 4 This Grilled Southwestern Chicken Salad is packed with flavor – juicy spice rubbed chicken is tossed with freshly grilled veggies, romaine lettuce and drizzled with a honey lime vinaigrette. This will be your go-to summer salad. 30 minPrep Time 20 minCook Time 50 minTotal Time Ingredients Instructions
Slightly adapted from That Skinny Chick Can Bake