Jerk Chicken Salad with Citrus Dressing

A while back I posted a recipe from The Flat Belly Diet Cookbook for Sassy Water, a refreshing and delicious concoction to make and drink as part of a weight loss plan.  Tonight I improvised on a recipe from that book for a dinner salad, and I just have to share it with you.  I know, what's to get excited about eating a salad, right? This really was great. I loved the jerk seasoned chicken, even though I did buy the seasoning in a jar. And the dressing, light and practically fat free, was perfect for this salad.  Because I didn't have mango that was called for in the salad, nor did I have sweet white onion, I used pineapple tidbits and sliced green onion.

JERK CHICKEN SALAD WITH CITRUS DRESSING 

• Stir together in a small bowl the juice of half a lime, 1 tsp. of olive oil, and 1 tsp. of jerk seasoning. Find it in the ethnic foods aisle in the Jamaican section. Rub this all over two boneless chicken breast halves and refrigerate for an hour. 
• Make your dressing by combining 1 Tbs. of fresh lime juice, 2 Tbs. orange juice, 1 tsp. olive oil, 1/2 tsp. honey, 1/4 tsp. salt, and freshly ground pepper.  Pleeeze, if you are noticing that worn out looking bowl I used for the dressing....I just can't part with my son's first cereal dish with Big Bird in the bottom of the bowl. It's so old, 25 years to be exact, but I just love it!

Put together your salad using any combination of greens. I used romaine and fresh spinach. Add:

• 1/2 of an avocado, cubed
• 2 green onions, sliced
• Handful of cherry tomatoes, halved
• 4 oz. of pineapple tidbits, drained (I buy those little fruit cups, perfect for smoothies, salads, etc.)

Grill the chicken breasts and keep warm while you toss the dressing with the salad greens and divide between two plates. Slice the chicken cross-wise and arrange it along side of the salad or place on top. Either way, this is a winner. Enjoy! And tell me how you liked it.  

Chicken Taco Salad with Salsa Lime Dressing

I am more than a little technically challenged. As well, I am working with only one good hand at the moment due to some surgery. But a while back I made this salad, took pictures, and never posted the recipe. I know everyone has probably thrown together their version of taco salad. So here is my offering to either bore you to pieces or inspire you to go out and get the ingredients to make this.  I made an attempt at putting together a slide show of the ingredients and method. As you view it, you can run your cursor over the picture and read the caption that accompanies it. I know, I know, it's juvenile at best. But it is my attempt at "stirring" up some interest!  And if you post a comment, please be kind.  I'm fragile (not really.)  Enjoy!!

This is such an easy salad to put together. Everyone loves the combination of these vegetables and chicken, especially in a quick salad. The tangy lime salsa dressing is what makes it special. Use any type of salsa you like, but I found Paul Newman's Salsa Lime Dressing to be outstanding with the addition of extra fresh lime juice and diced jalapeno peppers.

CHICKEN TACO SALAD WITH SALSA LIME DRESSING

For the dressing, mix together 1 cup of sour cream, about a cup of your favorite salsa, juice of half a lime or more, and a heaping tablespoon of diced jalapeno peppers (I buy them in the jar.)  These amounts are merely approximate. You're looking for a dressing of pouring consistency and a nice pinkish color. Mix all of this together and chill.

For the salad:

1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breast

1 pkg. of taco seasoning mix

Lettuces of your choice. I like iceberg and romaine

Chopped tomatoes, or whole grape tomatoes

Green onions, sliced

Black olives, sliced

1 can black beans, drained

Shredded cheese. I like sharp cheddar and pepper jack

Tortilla chips

I like to clean the chicken and then partially freeze it before cutting. You won't believe how much easier it is to cut up.  Cook the chicken over medium heat until it is no longer pink. Add the seasoning mix and the amount of water the package calls for. In the meantime, drain and heat the can of black beans, season them how you like, or not at all. I use onion powder, fresh sliced garlic, a little chili powder. Prepare all your veggies for the salad and toss together in a big bowl.

Distribute the salad onto your dinner plates. Spoon the warm beans and chicken over the salad. Spoon the dressing over the top and sprinkle with crushed tortilla chips.  Really good!!