Chick fil a spicy southwest salad dressing

This spicy southwest salad is a homemade version of the classic Chick fil a recipe. It's got all the goods- romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, grape tomatoes, a zesty combination of poblano chiles and crispy red bell peppers, all topped off with cheddar cheese and crunchy pepitas. I could go on and on about how delicious this salad is! Pair with a glass of lemonade and you've truly got an authentic experience.

Fresh romaine lettuce is topped with juicy tomatoes, crisp red bell peppers, zesty poblano chiles, tasty black beans, fresh corn, and juicy grilled chicken breast. The whole salad is finished off a satisfying crunch from the pepitas and crushed tortilla chips, some shredded cheddar cheese and avocado ranch dressing for a perfectly filling and delicious meal. It's easy, fresh, flavorful, quick, and sure to be a crowd pleaser; meaning this healthy salad could easily become your new dinner party staple.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS EASY SALAD

• So fast to assemble
• Super healthy and filling
• Packed with protein
• Bright, flavorful, fresh ingredients
• Better than take out (IMO)
• Leftovers make a great packed lunch option
• It's customizable!

IS THIS SALAD HEALTHY?

Yes! While the regular Chick-fil A version is still a healthy salad option, full of fresh vegetables and protein, if you’re worried about calories, it is on the higher end. (I list the nutrition information below in the recipe card, but please know that I do not believe that is the best health standard. I believe in the quality of ingredients) But now, since you are making it at home, you know the quality of ingredients, can also portion out how much is right for you, and just generally have more control over what you’re eating.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

A typical Chick-fil A Spicy Southwest Salad costs $7.05 per salad, my homemade version can be made for around $3.65 dollars per serving. That’s almost half the cost!

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS CHICK FIL A SALAD AT HOME

• Romain lettuce: You could also use premade spring mix to save time
• Grilled chicken: If you don't want to grill, you could bake, air fry, use chicken nuggets, or use a store-bought rotisserie chicken for ease!
• Grape tomatoes
• Black beans: Canned black beans work great, just be sure to rinse them first
• Corn: Canned corn or frozen corn that's been thawed work well
• Cheddar cheese: You could use a blend of cheddar cheeses like sharp and mild, or even a mix of Monterey jack and cheddar
• Peppers: I used a blend of red bell peppers and poblano chiles for an authentic experience
• Pepitas: You can use pre-seasoned, raw, or roast and season them yourself. These are also known as pumpkin seeds.

1. Chop up your lettuce, dice both the bell peppers and poblano peppers, and halve the grape tomatoes
2. On a large serving platter, lay down a bed of lettuce, then top it with the rinsed black beans, both diced peppers, grape tomatoes, and corn kernels
3. Slice the grilled chicken and shred your cheddar cheeses
4. Finish the salad off with the sliced chicken, pepitas, and cheddar cheeses
5. Use salad tongs to serve, drizzle over your favorite dressing, and enjoy!

EASIEST GRILLED CHICKEN

If you decided to cook the chicken yourself, and not use store bought, here's the easiest way to cook it

1. Heat grill or grill pan over medium heat
2. In a small bowl combine ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon cumin, and ¼ teaspoon garlic powder.
3. Rub a small amount of olive oil on both sides of 2 medium sized chicken breasts and divide the seasoning between them
4. .Grill chicken turning it after 5 minutes to cook for another 5-6 minutes on the other side. (Chicken should have dark grill marks and be an internal temperature of 165 degrees f to be considered safe to eat)
5. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing

HOW TO ROAST PEPITAS

Pepitas, or pumpkin seeds, are a signature topping on this popular salad. They're a healthy option to use because they are full of antioxidants and can help many diet deficiencies. (read more here!) Here's how to make your own homemade spicy chili lime pepitas

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees f and line a baking sheet with parchment paper
2. In a small bowl combine 2 tablespoons of pepitas, ¼ teaspoon of olive oil, ½ teaspoon chili lime seasoning, and a pinch of cayenne pepper
3. Spread them out in a single layer on the baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes

*they will smell toasted when done and ready*

RECIPE SUBSTITUTIONS

Since you’re making it at home, this copycat Chick-fil a salad is completely customizable! You could try:

• Using chicken nuggets instead of grilled chicken
• Using store-bought rotisserie chicken or even leftovers
• Seasoning the chicken with taco mix before you grill it
• Changing up the protein and make it with fried shrimp, spicy shrimp, or steak
• Making it vegan and add more beans or tofu for protein
• Adding or remove any vegetables you don’t like
• Removing the cheese or use dairy-free cheese

These are just some ideas, feel free to use your own creativity!

EXPERT TIPS

• Use store-bought, pre shredded lettuce to save time
• Cooked, frozen chicken breasts (thawed), those pre-cooked grilled chicken strips from the deli, rotisserie chicken, leftovers from dinner- any kind of chicken will work
• Sautee both peppers, corn, and black beans with chili lime seasoning for added flavor
• Roast the pepitas (pumpkin seeds) to enhance their flavor
• Crush tortilla chips in place of their seasoned tortilla strips
• Use your favorite salad dressing, or try this homemade creamy salsa dressing
• Prepare the ingredients up to 2 days ahead of time and assemble the salad on the day you plan to eat it
• Finish your salad off with a squeeze of lime juice for added brightness

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How do I store leftovers? You can keep the rest of the salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. After that the lettuce will start to become soggy and unappetizing.
2. Can I make the salad in advance? Yes! I recommend preparing each ingredient separately and then assembling the salad right before you're ready to serve it.
3. Does this really taste like Chick Fil A’s Spicy Southwest Salad? I think it does! In fact, I think it might be a bit better because of the fresh ingredients and customizable nature of this recipe.
4. What are the best salad dressings for this? The most popular dressing Chick-fil A serves it with is creamy salsa, but an avocado lime ranch dressing, chili lime vinaigrette, or regular buttermilk ranch dressing would all be wonderful.

Did you make this copycat Chick-fil A Southwest Chicken Salad? If so, I would greatly appreciate you leaving a comment and star rating down below. In addition, you can also follow me on Instagram @coleinthekitchen and tag me if you make it! Hope you enjoy 🙂

Print

Easy Spicy Southwest Salad

This spicy southwest salad is a homemade version of the classic Chick fil a recipe. It's got  romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, grape tomatoes, a zesty combination of poblano chiles and crispy red bell peppers, all topped off with cheddar cheese and crunchy pepitas. 

• Prep Time: 15 Minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 Servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Chopped
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

• 1 Large head of Romaine Lettuce- chopped
• ⅓ cup diced Red Bell Pepper
• ⅓ cup diced Poblano Chile
• ½ cup Halved Grape Tomatoes
• ½ cup Rinsed Black Beans
• ½ cup Corn Kernels
• 1 pound Grilled Chicken
• 2 Tablespoons Pepitas
• ¾ cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (blend sharp and mild for best flavor)
• Tortilla Chips- for topping

1. Chop up your lettuce, dice both the bell peppers and poblano peppers, and halve the grape tomatoes
2. On a large serving platter, lay down a bed of lettuce, then top it with the rinsed black beans, both diced peppers, grape tomatoes, and corn kernels
3. Slice the grilled chicken and shred your cheddar cheese(s)
4. Finish the salad off with the sliced chicken, pepitas, and cheddar cheeses
5. Use salad tongs to serve, drizzle over your favorite dressing, and enjoy!

Notes

• Calories calculated are an estimate and don't include dressing
• Use a salad mix to save time
• This recipe works with any kind of chicken- baked, grilled, rotisserie, leftovers
• Add or remove any vegetables based on your taste
• See post for how to grill chicken and roast pepitas
• Make up to 2 days in advance by prepping ingredients and assembling it the day of
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days
• Switch out the chicken for shrimp, steak, or tofu

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 Serving
• Calories: 370

Keywords: chick-fil a copycat salad, spicy southwest salad, spicy grilled chicken salad

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