Chop, Chop

When I’m in the kitchen, time is of the essence.  The less time I can spend preparing a meal, the better.  Especially on Wednesdays…I don’t like to miss Modern Family ;)  I’m a big lover of all kinds of salads because they’re pretty easy and quick to prep and they always hit the spot.  When I found the recipe for this salad, my mouth started watering uncontrollably.  This had to be on the dinner table IMMEDIATELY.  I could wait no longer.  And I’m so glad I didn’t.  Amazing.  Outstanding.  Delicious.  INcredible.  Try it for yourself and you’ll see what I’m talkin’ about!

SOUTHWESTERN CHOPPED CHICKEN SALAD

recipe via Greens & Chocolate

2 cups shredded chicken {you could use rotisserie}

1 green bell pepper, diced

1 can black beans, rinsed

1 can sweet corn OR 1 cup frozen corn, thawed {I used frozen}

2 roma tomatoes, diced

4 green onions, chopped

1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

2 avocados, diced

1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped

1 cup crushed tortilla chips {or taco flavored Dorito’s}

 

DRESSING:

1/2 cup mayo

2/3 cups Greek yogurt

1 tbsp. ranch seasoning

1 tbsp. taco seasoning

 

First, let’s go ahead and make the dressing.  I like to give the flavors a chance to marinate while I’m prepping the rest of the salad. Here’s what you’ll need.

This dressing couldn’t be any easier to make.  For real.  {For REALZ, if you’re cool like that.}  Grab yourself a small bowl, toss in all the dressing ingredients, and mix well until combined.  Then set aside.  Dip your pinky finger in the bowl and sneak a little taste if you’re like me.  And then taste it again…with a different finger, of course.  Or the same.  Just don’t tell anyone you double dipped ;)

Now let’s go ahead and make the salad.  You’ll spend a few minutes chopping and dicing, but trust me when I tell you it’s worth it. 

Chop/dice the avocados, tomatoes, green pepper, cilantro, and onions.  Shred your chicken.  Rinse your black beans.  Chop the lettuce.  If you aren’t a fan of iceberg, toss in your favorite flavor. I think this would be excellent with romaine, but the iceberg was on sale :)  Mix everything together, except for the chips.

Now pour the dressing…yes, ALL of it…onto the salad and mix well until it’s all combined.

Stand back and marvel at this little southwestern masterpiece.

Oh friends.  We aren’t finished just yet.  It’s time to add the crunchiness…because every salad needs a little crunch!  First, serve yourself a bowl of salad.  Then crush a few chips…and a few more…and then a little bit more than that {I like A LOT of crunch}.  I used regular tortilla chips {Santita’s, to be exact}, but I think the taco flavored Dorito’s would be AMAZING, too!!!  Toss those into your bowl and mix well.  Then DEVOUR.  You won’t have a choice.  It would be sinful if you didn’t.

Heaven in a bowl, I tell ya.  Heaven in a bowl.  Hands down, this is my favorite salad of ALL time.  Chop, chop people!  What are you waiting for?!?!  Get this on your table TONIGHT!!!!