Mexican Chicken Salad: A satisfying, easy “big salad” dinner entrée full of chopped vegetables, chicken, black beans and topped off with Mexican cheese blend.
Remember the classic “Big Salad” episode from Seinfeld, circa 1994?
Elaine asks George to buy a “big salad” for her, to go. George and Jerry volley back and forth about what’s in a big salad, anyway (“Big lettuce, big carrots, tomatoes like volleyballs,” Jerry says; hilarity and eyeball rolling ensues), and then there’s a whole usual misunderstanding between George and the world his girlfriend over who gets credit for providing Elaine said big salad. George obsesses, as usual, because he wants everyone to understand he is generous. He is! Really, he is!
Sounds mundane when I write it out like that, but it was hilarious! And ever since then, a Big Salad has been part of the culinary lexicon. To me, Big Salad = entrée dinner salad.
A Big Salad is often what’s for dinner at mi casa, and we like to throw it together out of whatever is hanging around the refrigerator.
Ingredients and shortcuts to make a Mexican Chicken Salad
1. Rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. Or grilled chicken from your backyard grill. Whatever you have that’s already cooked.
2. Shredded packaged cheese. I like a Mexican-style or Mexican-blend cheese, which often has a blend of several cheeses (Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Asadero, Queso Quesadilla cheeses).
3. Canned black beans, frozen corn, bottled vinaigrette. Of course, you can make any of these elements from scratch, but you can’t beat the convenience of having them already on hand to make a healthy, fast dinner. I find that I am much more likely to eat a salad if the components are already ready and waiting for me.
4. Romaine lettuce, avocado, tomato, fresh cilantro if you like it (yes please!).
My Big Salad was a hit at dinner, with kids and my husband.
Elaine would approve.
Mexican Chicken Salad: A satisfying, easy "big salad" dinner entrée full of chopped vegetables, chicken, black beans and topped off with Mexican cheese blend.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2-2 cups cooked chicken (such as from a rotisserie chicken)
- 1 package (10-12 ounces) torn romaine lettuce (more if you like)
- 1/2 cup frozen corn, thawed
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 avocado, peeled, seeded and diced
- 1 large tomato, seeded and chopped (use 2 if you like a salad stuffed with tomatoes)
- 1/2 cup Mexican Style Finely Shredded Four Cheese blend
- 1/4 cup Zesty Lime Vinaigrette Dressing
- Garnish: Offer chopped fresh cilantro at the table, and hot sauce or salsa for those who like a spicier salad
Directions
- Add chicken, lettuce, corn, black beans and onion to a large salad bowl. Toss gently to combine.
- Portion into 4 wide flat bowls, or onto large plates.
- Sprinkle each salad with avocado and tomato (these are more fragile and are damaged by tossing).
- Sprinkle with cheese. Drizzle each salad with about 1 tablespoon dressing (more if you like).
- Serves 4.
Notes
Recipe source: Lightly adapted from Grilled Chopped Chicken Salad on the KRAFT website.
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If you like a “big salad,” also try these:
2. Easy Weeknight Chicken, Tomato and Cucumber Dinner Salad
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This post was originally published June 2, 2014 and has been refreshed and republished today.
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
It was perfect the first time. I learn so much from you as well! Great post.
Love all the flavors of Mexican food in a salad! Adding this to my dinner line up for the week, indeed!
Big salads are my FAVORITE and this looks delicious!!
I love all the ingredients in this salad! Deliciousness!
I’m drooling this Chicken Salad is everything I love!
I love how colorful and flavorful this salad is!
This salad is loaded with all my favorite taco toppings! I can’t wait to make this for dinner soon.
I have added this to my lunch menu for next week. I love all the fresh flavors in this simple, yet delicious salad.
So funny, I just saw “The Soup Nazi” episode last week! This looks so up my alley, I love anything Mexican.
Julie,
Oh yeah, and you can tweak this to your liking. Add fresh cilantro!
This looks fabulous! It has everything Sous Chef loves in a salad. Thanks for the Seinfeld moment – it was a hilarious episode.
Christy,
I know, right? Of course, all Seinfeld moments are hilarious, eh?
This looks just like our dinner at least a couple nights every week in the summertime – cool, crunchy, delicious! I love those pre-shredded cheeses, so convenient!
Donalyn,
The pre-shredded cheese have saved my butt many times!
Jolly,
She (the actress) lives in the town next to me, so I see her out and about on occasion.
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