Eliot's Eats

A life well read and well fed

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Spicy Southwest Chipotle Salad for #HotSummerEats

HotSummerEats (1)Today is the final day of #HotSummerEats which was organized by Culinary Adventures with Camilla.   What a ride it’s been.  Thanks, Cam!  Camilla is so creative with her events and she definitely secures some of the best and most delicious sponsors.  To win some of this great swag, remember that it is also the last day to enter the #HotSummerEats giveaway.

I’ve been on a salad kick recently and wanted to keep on track with that theme for the final post.

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And, I wanted to highlight T.Lish‘s fabulous vinaigrettes and marinades.  (Can you believe that Tiff from T.Lish sent all these great products to the #HotSummerEats participants?)

Spicy Southwest Chipotle Salad

1 lb. boneless chicken breast
3/4 c. T.Lish‘s Chipotle Vinaigrette, divided
3 c. lettuce, greens, spinach or a mix (your choice)
1 c. cherry tomatoes, halved
1 sliced avocado
1 c. frozen corn (thawed)
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
2 tbsp. coarsely chopped cilantro
1 baked tortillas, cut in strips

Place chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound to a 1/2 inch uniform thickness.  Place chicken in a shallow container.  Pour over 1/2 c. T.Lish‘s Chipotle Vinaigrette and turn to coat all sides of chicken.  Cover and refrigerate.  Let marinate for at least one hour (flipping breast in the marinade after thirty minutes).  (The remaining 1/4 c. of vinaigrette will be used to toss the salad.  Do NOT use any leftover marinade for the salad.)

While the chicken is marinating, you can prep your ingredients for the salad.

Preheat grill to 375 F.   When grill is ready, place chicken on grill.   Cook about 5 minutes for the first side and about 4 minutes on the second side.  Internal temperature should be 160 F. Remove chicken to a cutting board, tent with foil, and allow to rest while salad is assembled.

I like to assemble this salad as a composed salad of sorts.  Just arrange the greens, tomatoes, avocado, corn and beans as you would like.  Drizzle with 1/4 c. of T.Lish‘s Chipotle Vinaigrette, sprinkle with cilantro, and garnish with the tortillas.   Or you can just put everything in a bowl and toss it together.

Spicy Southwest Chopotle Chicken Salad

I was really pleased with how this salad appeared in these photos (with the exception of our pergola’s reflection in the platter).   I was ready to serve dinner when The Hubs said, “What are these little tortilla strips for?”

Doh!   Back outside I went after garnishing with the tortilla strips.

SW Salad

Then, I got me legs in the picture!

SW Salad from Eliot's Eats

 

This photo will have to do!

Besides the deliciousness of the Chipotle Vinaigrette, I have to give some “shout-outs” to T.Lish‘s Asian Sesame Vinaigrette.  Just for fun, I tossed a bit of leftover Greens and Beans Salad with the Asian Sesame Vinaigrette.   Oh, my.   I have officially revisited that recipe to include that dressing.  And, then I massaged some kale with the same dressing and tossed with some toasted sliced almonds.   Oh my goshness gracious!  It was delicious.  I have seen some recipes during this event using the Sweet Garlic and I cannot wait to try them.

Remember, this is the last day to enter the #HotSummerEats giveaway.  Click here to enter.


 

A BIG THANK YOU goes out to all of the fabulous and generous sponsors.

Sponsor ThanksAgain, if you have not entered to win some of these delicious products, please do so as soon as you are able.  Today is the last day to enter.

Comments & Replies

10 responses to “Spicy Southwest Chipotle Salad for #HotSummerEats”

  1. Angie@Angie's Recipes Avatar
    Angie@Angie’s Recipes

    A very delicious summer salad, Debra, and I love the plating!

  2. Rebekah @ Making Miracles Avatar

    My oh my that is just BEAUTIFUL!! So fresh and vibrant, and absolutely PERFECT for a summer salad!

  3. Pam Avatar

    Great, colorful salad, Debra!

  4. Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie Avatar

    Love the presentation of this salad both before and after it gets mixed up. SO many colors.

  5. Chris Scheuer Avatar

    I could eat this kind of salad every day. I think your photos are great!

  6. Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm Avatar

    That is the most beautiful salad I have seen in a long time. I would be so proud to set this out for company. Great job!!

  7. kalamitykelli Avatar

    That is one gorgeous salad! I wish mine would look like that when I was done. Mine generally looks like the dog chewed through it with his teeth and Andy tossed it!

  8. Taking On Magazines Avatar
    Taking On Magazines

    Oh my goodness, I love the inspiration that went into making that salad and so much wish I could grab a fork and join you in devouring it! PS: You have skinny legs!

  9. Liz Weber Berg Avatar

    I could eat this salad ALL summer long! Gorgeous AND delicious!

  10. mjskit Avatar

    My kind of summer salad! Love the addition of the crispy tortilla strips.