Copycat Chick-fil-A Spicy Southwest Salad
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My copycat Chick-fil-A Spicy Southwest Salad is full of bold, spicy southwest-inspired flavors!! Marinated grilled chicken on a bed of mixed greens, roasted corn, black beans, poblano chiles, tortilla strips, and more to create a flavorful and satisfying salad. Enjoy my Chick fil A spicy southwest salad recipe for lunch or dinner!
Chick-fil-A Spicy Southwest Salad
Is there anything better than a big fresh salad with grilled chicken on top?!
Not much in my book — it’s usually my go-to for lunch at home, and I love ordering it when I go out to eat.
The spicy southwest salad from Chick-fil-A is definitely one of my favorites when it comes to fast food salads!
It’s packed with tons of veggies, chiles, beans, tortilla strips, grilled chicken, and of course that incredibly tasty creamy salsa dressing.
I’ve been ordering it so much lately that I knew I had to come up with my own copycat version… and boy, am I glad I did!
It’s super easy to make, and whipping it up myself means I can grab seconds without having to go through the drive-thru twice.
This is just the latest in my collection of copycat Chick-fil-A recipes!
Don’t miss my take on their mac and cheese, creamy Chick-fil-A dipping sauce, the always classic spicy chicken sandwich, and this copycat crispy chicken sandwich too!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Chicken Breast – The Chick-fil-A spicy southwest salad comes with delicious grilled chicken on top, so you know I had to include it in my copycat version!
I used boneless skinless chicken breasts.
- Seasonings – Season the chicken with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. You’ll also need the cumin, salt, and pepper for the dressing.
- Mixed Greens – Feel free to grab the bagged stuff from the supermarket! I like the standard “mixed greens” blend, or you could use a spring mix.
- Vegetables – This salad is totally packed with veggies! I’m talking grape tomatoes, roasted corn, poblano chiles, and roasted red bell peppers.
Feel free to omit any you don’t like, or add some of your own personal favorites.
I love including some avocado if I have some in the fridge!
- Black Beans – For added protein, and even more southwest flair. I use canned — make sure to drain and rinse first.
- Toppings – Top your salad with a shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese blend, seasoned tri-colored tortilla chips, and some roasted pepitas.
- Salad Dressing – I love making that signature creamy salsa dressing myself! You’ll need mayo, salsa, lime juice, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Tips and Tricks to Make a Copycat Spicy Southwest Salad from Chick-fil-A
- Don’t be intimidated by the long ingredient list.
A lot goes into this loaded salad, but it’s made with simple ingredients that are easy to find at the grocery store — and you probably have the majority of the pantry items at home already!
Once you gather everything you need and start prepping, your salad comes together super quickly after the chicken is marinated and grilled.
- Marinate the chicken longer for extra flavor.
You’ll have to let the chicken breast marinate in the olive oil and seasonings mixture for at least 30 minutes — but if you have the time, overnight is always better!
This will give the marinade a chance to really infuse the chicken with flavor. And more flavorful chicken will result in a more flavorful Chick-fil-A spicy southwest salad!
- Load up on extra veggies.
I love my spicy southwest salad Chick fil A copycat as is, but if you’re in the mood for some extra vegetables, feel free to add as many extras as you’d like.
Cucumbers, red onion, scallions, and even jalapenos would be tasty. And don’t forget about the avocado I mentioned!
- Don’t skip the tortilla strips and pepitas.
Both add so much texture to the dish and give such a satisfying crunch to every bite!
You may be tempted to omit these fun toppings but trust me… they’re a part of what makes this Chick-fil-A spicy southwest salad so tasty!
Prep Ahead
- Marinate and grill the chicken
- Chop the veggies
- Make the salsa salad dressing
- Drain and rinse the beans
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Mixing Bowls – I like to have a variety of sizes on hand, and this set has them all.
- Cutting Board – A big solid cutting board makes prepping a breeze. I use mine daily, so it’s worth the investment to get a good quality one.
- Outdoor or Countertop Grill for the chicken.
- Blender – A high-powered blender is a must in every kitchen! Otherwise, use a Food Processor.
- Mason Jar – I absolutely love these and use them for storing, prepping, drinking glasses, and especially canning.
Serving Suggestions
My copycat Chick-fil-A spicy southwest salad is a full meal on its own! It’s packed with protein from the chicken, plenty of veggies, cheese, and even a bit of carbs from the tortilla chips.
If you’re craving something a little more substantial, why not pair your salad with a copycat Chick-fil-A soup?
I have recipes for chicken noodle and chicken tortilla — both are super tasty!
Otherwise, a side of tortilla chips and salsa would pair perfectly with the southwest flavors!
Storage
If you have any leftovers, store each component separately in an airtight container in the fridge.
Try to eat it within 2 days — this Chick fil A spicy southwest salad recipe is best enjoyed fresh!
The creamy salsa salad dressing can be kept refrigerated for up to 1 week. If it starts to separate, simply shake the jar before using.
Spicy Southwest Salad Chick fil A FAQ
According to the official website, the spicy southwest salad from Chick-fil-A is made with grilled chicken, mixed greens, grape tomatoes, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese, corn, black beans, poblano chiles, and red bell peppers.
In other words, everything you’ll find in my copycat version!
Yes! You can substitute Greek yogurt for the mayo to cut down on calories while still keeping a creamy texture in the dressing.
Alternatively, you could also use a low or reduced-fat mayo instead.
This spicy southwest salad Chick fil A copycat is best enjoyed fresh — but you can prep some of the components in advance to get ahead!
Marinate and grill the chicken, wash and chop the veggies, and rinse and drain the beans. Store everything in the fridge for up to 24 hours before assembling the salad.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Copycat Chick-fil-A Spicy Southwest Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
Spicy Grilled Chicken Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
Creamy Salsa Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup salsa
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Salad Ingredients:
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese blend
- 1/2 cup roasted corn
- 1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup diced poblano chiles
- 1/2 cup diced roasted red bell peppers
- 1/4 Cup seasoned tri-colored tortilla strips
- 1/4 cup roasted & salted pepitas, pumpkin seed kernels
Instructions
Spicy Grilled Chicken Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix olive oil, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Place the chicken in a zip top bag and coat with the spice mixture and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Grill the chicken breasts over medium-high heat until cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side. Allow to cool for 5 minutes then slice the chicken into strips, set aside.
Creamy Salsa Dressing Instructions:
- In a blender or food processor, blend together the mayonnaise, salsa, lime juice, cumin, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined. Place in a jar with a tight fitting lid such as a mason jar and place in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Salad Assembly:
- In a large bowl, or platter arrange a bed of mixed greens.
- Top the greens with grape tomatoes, shredded cheese, roasted corn, black beans, poblano chiles, and roasted red bell peppers.
- Add the sliced spicy grilled chicken on top of the salad.
- Sprinkle Seasoned Tortilla Strips and roasted pepitas over the salad.
- Drizzle the Creamy Salsa Dressing over the salad or serve it on the side. Enjoy!
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
This recipe was so easy to follow, and the result was absolutely delicious! Better than the restaurant version.