Southwestern Chopped Chicken Salad Recipe

Southern Living Staff
Updated
You’ll love the crispy homemade tortilla strips on this fun chopped chicken salad. We spiced them with ground cumin to go with the tangy lime vinaigrette, but you can experiment with other spices and dried herbs like smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, or oregano.

Yields: Serves 4 (serving size: about 2 cups)

Active time: 45 minutes

Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 (10-inch) flour tortillas

  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1/3 cup plus 1 Tbsp. olive oil, divided

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided

  • 2 teaspoons lime zest plus 1/2 cup fresh juice (from 6 limes)

  • 1 shallot, minced (about 2 1/2 Tbsp.)

  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

  • 1 teaspoon honey

  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

  • 4 cups chopped chicken (from 1 rotisserie chicken)

  • 2 cups chopped ripe avocado (about 2 avocados)

  • 2 romaine lettuce hearts, chopped

  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced radishes (about 3 large radishes)

  • 1/2 cup Pickled Red Onions

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Stack tortillas; cut in half, and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch strips. Place tortilla strips on a rimmed baking sheet. Toss with cumin, 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. Spread strips in a single layer; bake in preheated oven until golden brown and crisp, 10 to 12 minutes, turning halfway through baking. Cool strips to room temperature.

  2. Meanwhile, whisk together lime zest, lime juice, shallot, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, pepper, and remaining 1/3 cup oil and 3/4 teaspoon salt until well combined. Set aside.

  3. Toss together chopped chicken, avocado, romaine, sliced radishes, and Pickled Red Onions in a large bowl. Add 6 to 7 tablespoons vinaigrette; toss to coat. Place 2 cups salad on each of 4 plates; top each with 3 baked tortilla strips. Serve with remaining vinaigrette.