Cowgirl Salad Recipe

I recently prepared a Cowboy Chicken Salad that masters vibrant flavors. Crisp romaine, grape tomatoes and red bell pepper meld with black beans and sweet corn. Tender grilled chicken, creamy avocado and shredded cheddar add depth, while tortilla chips lend crunch, all finished with a splash of tangy lime and ranch dressing.

I gotta tell ya, this Cowgirl Salad is a game-changer. I always thought salads were boring until I whipped up this one.

I start with 8 cups of chopped romaine lettuce, then toss in a cup of halved grape tomatoes, a cup of black beans, a cup of corn kernels, and a diced red bell pepper. It gets better with diced avocado and a half cup of shredded cheddar cheese thrown into the mix.

And yeah, I add sliced grilled chicken breasts to give it that hearty feel even though you can skip them if you’re going veggie. I top it off with roughly crumbled tortilla chips and a dash of chopped fresh cilantro.

Then it’s all drizzled with two tablespoons of ranch dressing, a splash of lime juice, salt and pepper to taste. It’s exactly the kind of chicken dinner salad recipe that takes a regular meal to a whole new level for dinner ideas.

Enjoy!

Why I Like this Recipe

1. I like how this recipe mixes fresh flavors and textures that just work together perfectly. The crunch from the tortilla chips and the creaminess of the avocado make every bite really exciting.
2. I love that it’s super versatile. I can throw in grilled chicken when I want some extra protein or skip it for a vegetarian twist and it still tastes amazing.
3. The tangy blend of ranch dressing and lime juice really gives the salad a kick that makes me look forward to eating it every time I make it.
4. I also dig how quick and easy it is to prep, yet it comes out looking and tasting like a fancy meal salad even on busy days.

Ingredients

• Romaine lettuce provides crisp texture, fiber, vitamins to keep your salad fresh.
• Grape tomatoes contribute a sweet tang, juicy burst, and essential antioxidants.
• Black beans are rich in fiber and protein, aiding digestion and filling you up.
• Corn kernels add natural sweetness and carbs to fuel your day.
• Avocado’s creamy healthy fats make the salad extra smooth and tasty.
• Grilled chicken adds lean protein and smoky flavor, though you can skip it sometimes.
• Ranch dressing offers tangy creaminess, balancing spices and ingredients perfectly.
• Cilantro gives a fresh, zesty finish to brighten every bite.

Ingredient Quantities

• 8 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 1 cup halved grape tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes if you prefer)
• 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels, drained if using canned
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 grilled chicken breasts, sliced (you can leave these out if ya want a vegetarian version)
• 1/4 cup crispy tortilla chips, roughly crumbled
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons ranch dressing
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make this

1. First, wash and chop your romaine lettuce and halve the grape tomatoes. Drain and rinse the black beans and corn if you’re using canned ones.

2. Dice the red bell pepper and avocado, and roughly chop the fresh cilantro.

3. In a large bowl, toss together the lettuce, tomatoes, black beans, corn, bell pepper, and avocado.

4. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese all over the salad.

5. If you’re using chicken, slice the grilled chicken breasts and add them in now.

6. Drizzle the ranch dressing and fresh lime juice evenly on top of the salad.

7. Season with salt and pepper to taste then gently toss everything together until the ingredients are coating well.

8. Top your salad with the roughly crumbled crispy tortilla chips and extra cilantro if you like.

9. Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful meal salad, cuz this recipe really changes your salad game!

Equipment Needed

1. Large cutting board
2. Sharp chef knife
3. Colander for draining canned beans and corn
4. Large mixing bowl to toss your salad
5. Measuring cups and spoons
6. Salad tongs or a big spoon for mixing
7. Citrus juicer (optional, for fresh lime juice)

FAQ

Cowgirl Salad Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• For the romaine lettuce, you could use baby spinach or a mixed greens blend which gives a similar crunchy texture even if its not exactly the same.
• If grape tomatoes are hard to find, cherry tomatoes or even diced regular tomatoes can easily work as a substitute.
• If you’re out of cheddar cheese, try Monterey Jack or even Colby cheese to get a similar melt and mild flavor.
• Instead of ranch dressing, you might mix a bit of sour cream with buttermilk and a squeeze of lime juice for a quick, homemade dressing.
• If you don’t have crispy tortilla chips, crushed corn chips or even toasted pita chips can add that extra crunch.

Pro Tips

1. Add the crispy tortilla chips right before serving so they don’t get all soggy from the dressing.
2. Toss in the avocado at the very end since it can get mushy if it’s mixed with other ingredients too long.
3. Give your chicken a little extra zing by marinating it in lime juice and salt before grilling.
4. Drizzle the dressing slowly over the salad and gently toss so every bite gets a bit of flavor without overdoing it.