Spicy Chicken Salad is a delicious and zesty dish that’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prepping. With tender, spicy chicken, crisp vegetables, and a creamy dressing, this salad is flavorful and satisfying. You can easily adjust the heat level to suit your taste, and it’s perfect served on its own, in wraps, or over a bed of greens.
Ingredients:
For the chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the salad:
- 4 cups mixed greens (or romaine lettuce)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional, for extra spice)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
For the dressing:
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (or Sriracha)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare the chicken:
- In a small bowl, mix together the chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
- Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil and coat them evenly with the spice mixture.
- Cook the chicken:
- Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken breasts for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F or 75°C). Remove from the heat and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Prepare the salad:
- In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, avocado, and jalapeño (if using). Toss in the fresh cilantro.
- Make the dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt (or mayonnaise), hot sauce, lime juice, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust the spice level to your liking.
- Assemble the salad:
- Slice the cooked chicken and arrange it on top of the salad. Drizzle the spicy dressing over the top, or serve it on the side.
- Serve:
- Enjoy the Spicy Chicken Salad as a complete meal on its own or serve it in wraps or pita bread for a delicious lunch or dinner option.
This flavorful Spicy Chicken Salad is the perfect balance of heat, freshness, and crunch, making it a satisfying meal that’s both healthy and delicious!
