Chipotle Chicken Salad
Turn up the flavor with this high protein, bold and creamy chipotle chicken salad! Packed with smoky chipotle heat, tender shredded chicken, crisp veggies, and fresh cilantro, every bite is loaded with zesty, crave-worthy goodness. Tossed in a creamy chipotle lime dressing, this salad strikes the perfect balance of spicy, tangy, and satisfying!
The best part? It comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for quick lunches, easy dinners, or weekly meal prep. Wrap it in a tortilla, pile it onto toasted bread, scoop it up with tortilla chips, or serve it over fresh greens for a lighter option. However you enjoy it, this flavor-packed chicken salad is guaranteed to become a new favorite.
What You’ll Need
Shredded chicken: Grab a store-bought rotisserie chicken for convenience, or prepare it at home yourself (Instructions for making it at home are included below.)
Mayonnaise: A classic chicken salad essential that helps create the creamy base for the chipotle-style dressing.
Plain Greek yogurt: Mixed into the dressing base to keep it light, cutting some of the fat contents, while adding tanginess and extra protein.
Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce: My go to canned chipotle peppers are from Embasa. You’ll need one or two chipotle peppers, plus a bit of the adobo sauce from the can. (They can be pretty spicy, so start with less than you think you’ll need and add more gradually, tasting as you go.)
Red onion: Red onion adds sharp flavor and crunch, though white or green onion can work well here too.
Celery: My favorite addition to add crunch and texture to the chicken salad. I like to slice them in a very fine dice to get a little bit in every bite. Adjust the amount based on your preference.
Cilantro: To maximize the flavor, use both the leaves and stems. I always chop a bit more than needed for an extra garnish on top.
Limes: Fresh lime juice brightens the dressing more so than lemon, you’ll need about 2 tablespoons, or roughly 2 limes.
Garlic: Necessary for any savory dish. One clove, minced, adds extra depth and flavor to the dressing.
Spices: Smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper season the chicken salad perfectly. (Smoked paprika especially enhances the smoky chipotle flavor, but regular paprika can be substituted if needed.)
Tailoring The Spice Levels
Chipotle peppers can bring some serious heat, but the spice level is super easy to customize!
- Prefer it mild? Remove all of the seeds for a smoky flavor with minimal heat.
- Want a little kick? Use about half of the seeds from the pepper.
- Love it extra spicy? Add more peppers and keep all of the seeds for a fiery, bold flavor!
Lets Talk Dressing
To keep this recipe a little higher in protein, I like using a 1:2 ratio of mayo to Greek yogurt. It keeps the chicken salad creamy, while adding an extra protein boost! The Greek yogurt brings a slightly tangy flavor, while the mayo adds a richer, smoother texture. If you prefer a less tangy taste, feel free to do a 1:1 ratio or adjust the mix to whatever tastes best to you!
To Make Homemade Shredded Chicken
- Season 1 lb of chicken breast with salt and pepper.
- Bake at 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes or until fully cooked through.
- Shred using two large forks.
Chipotle Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken, shredded
- ½ red onion, finely diced
- 2 celery stalks, finely diced
- 2 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayo
- 2 limes, juiced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 chipotle peppers, chopped
- 3 Tbsp chipotle adobo sauce
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the salad. Add the shredded chicken, diced red onion, diced celery, and chopped cilantro into a large bowl. Set aside.
- Make the dressing. Mix the mayo, greek yogurt, lime juice, chopped chipotle peppers, chipotle adobo sauce, smoked paprika, and salt and pepper in a small bowl.
- Toss. Pour the dressing over the chicken and veggies and mix until fully combined.
- Serve. This dish tastes great as is with your favorite tortilla chips or as a filling in a sandwich or wrap. The flavors get even more delicious as the chicken salad chills, giving all the smoky, zesty ingredients time to blend together perfectly. Pop it in the fridge and enjoy an even bolder, more flavorful bite later!
