Zesty Pan-Fried Chicken Tender Salad

Ingredients

For the Chicken:
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

For the Salad:
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1 cup kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup corn, drained
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco
- 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 1/4 cup pickled jalapenos
- 1/4 cup pickled red onions
- 1 cup tortilla strips

Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, combine lime juice, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, taco seasoning, olive oil, and cilantro.
- Add chicken tenders, ensuring they are well-coated in the marinade. Let sit for 15 minutes.

2. Cook the Chicken:
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add marinated chicken tenders to the skillet. Cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, golden brown, and cooked through. Remove from heat and let rest for a few minutes before slicing.

3. Prepare the Salad Dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, and red wine vinegar. Set aside.

4. Assemble the Salad:
- In a large salad bowl, combine mixed greens, kidney beans, corn, red onion, black olives, diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, and black beans.
- Drizzle the prepared dressing over the top and toss gently to combine.

5. Serve:
- Top the salad with sliced chicken tenders, crumbled queso fresco, and cotija cheese.
- Garnish with pickled jalapenos, pickled red onions, and tortilla strips.

Total Time

- PT45M
- 45 minutes

Type of Dish

- Lunch

Keywords

- Chicken Tender Salad
- Pan-Fried Chicken
- Zesty Salad
- Tex-Mex Salad
- Chicken Marinate
- Fresh Greens
- Bean Salad
- Healthy Lunch
- Summer Salad
- Mexican-Inspired

Recipe Yield

- Serves 4 adults

Calories

- Total: 1,720 Calories

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