~ Blackened Chicken / Southwestern Salad ~
This salad takes a little prep time, but is so worth it. This is my version of a salad I had at a restaurant we frequent often. I was so happy with it, that I wanted to see how close I could come to the same salad, and I was spot on. DELICIOUS! If you like salads and blackened chicken, you will love this salad. So good!
4 Servings
Prep Time: 15 min Cook Time: 20 min Total Time: 35 min
https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/main-course/chicken/blackened-chicken-southwestern-salad.html
Ingredients
4 md boneless, skinless chicken breasts - pounded with a meat mallet to thin some
1 Tbsp each - paprika and sugar
4 tsp dried thyme
2 tsp each - onion powder, garlic powder and kosher salt
1 tsp each - cayenne and oregano - if not wanting as spicy, cut down on cayenne
1 1/2 tsp black pepper
3/4 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp nutmeg
4 - 5 c sliced romaine lettuce
1 c each - black beans, drained and rinsed & frozen corn, thawed
1/3 c diced, red bell pepper
4 oz shredded cheddar cheese
8 slice bacon, cooked and chopped or crumbled
16 cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
1 thin sliced sweet onion
3 flour tortilla's cut into 3 inch strips and fried until crisp in a skillet with oil, drain
1 avocado, sliced
1 c your favorite ranch dressing - i used kraft
3 Tbsp taco seasoning
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Prepare chicken: Mix all spice together in a small bowl. Pound chicken to thin some. Sprinkle seasoning on each side of chicken, making sure its thoroughly coated. In a skillet cover bottom with oil, over med high heat, Once smoking, add chicken and cook on one side for 5 minutes, turn and cook for 5 minutes longer. Place on a sheet pan and place in oven, cook until juiced run clear, about 15 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice each breast. Prepare salad while chicken cooks.
In a medium bowl, mix corn, beans and peppers, set aside. On each plate measure out 1 cup or more lettuce. Add desired onion slices. Sprinkle each with even amount of cheese. Place 3 mounds per plate around the edge of lettuce with bean mixture. Place 8 halves of tomato around the edge of each salad. Sprinkle each with even amount of bacon. Top each salad with a sliced chicken breast. Add to the side or on top of chicken, a couple avocado slices. Sprinkle with fried tortilla chips. Serve with dressing.
Mix dressing with taco seasoning and serve aside the salad.