Description
Zesty Mexican-inspired Grilled Chili Lime Chicken Fajita Salad delivers a flavor fiesta on your plate. Crisp greens mingle with smoky grilled chicken, tangy lime, and bold chili spices, creating a refreshing meal that satisfies both hunger and cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thigh fillets
Vegetables:
- ½ yellow bell pepper, deseeded and sliced
- ½ red bell pepper, deseeded and sliced
- ½ onion, sliced
- 5 cups romaine lettuce, washed and dried
- 2 avocados, sliced
Marinade and Seasoning:
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) olive oil
- 100 ml (just over ⅓ cup) freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional)
- ¾ teaspoon red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
Garnish:
- Extra cilantro leaves
- Sour cream (optional)
Instructions
- Craft a zesty marinade by whisking together lime juice, chili powder, garlic, and other complementary seasonings in a mixing bowl until thoroughly blended.
- Submerge chicken pieces in half of the prepared marinade, ensuring complete coverage. Allow protein to absorb flavors for a minimum of two hours inside the refrigerator.
- Preheat grill pan or skillet on medium-high temperature, lightly coating surface with oil to prevent sticking.
- Transfer marinated chicken onto heated surface, cooking approximately 5-7 minutes per side until exterior turns golden brown and interior reaches proper temperature.
- Remove chicken from heat, letting it rest momentarily to preserve internal juices.
- Using identical pan, quickly sauté sliced bell peppers and onions until vegetables become slightly caramelized and tender.
- Layer fresh crisp lettuce as salad foundation, strategically arranging grilled chicken strips across verdant greens.
- Distribute sautéed peppers and onions over chicken, adding creamy avocado slices for additional texture.
- Drizzle reserved marinade as dressing, ensuring even distribution across salad components.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and serve alongside tangy sour cream for enhanced flavor profile.
Notes
- Customize the marinade by adjusting chili and lime levels to suit personal heat preferences.
- Substitute chicken with tofu or shrimp for a versatile protein option that maintains the zesty flavor profile.
- Pat chicken dry before grilling to ensure a perfect golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming.
- Swap lettuce with mixed greens or spinach for added nutritional variety and different texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg