Chile Lime Ranch Salad With Chicken is a refreshing take on the traditional ranch salad. It has all the qualities of a true classic, but with a kick of spiciness and tangy zip from the lime, this salad is sure to give you all the feels. Get ready for summer salads!
This chicken and ranch salad is perfect for all your backyard BBQs or picnics because that’s what summer’s about. This salad is juicy, crunchy, and full of the essential flavors you love.
What Is Chile Lime Ranch Salad?
There are a lot of salads out there, and we tend to forget that they come in many different forms. This salad is a unique take on the classic ranch dressing.
The flavors of Mexico inspired it, and I recently made it for a Mexican-themed dinner party and got rave reviews.
What kind of Chicken Chicken is a great source of protein, so it’s very important to purchase good quality chicken.
How To Make Chile Lime Ranch Salad With Chicken?
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
- 3 cups (greens, I used a mixture of kale and spinach)
- 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa, cooled
- 1 cup sweet corn kernels
- For the dressing:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 limes, brought to room temperature and juiced
- 2 teaspoons of lime zest (from 1 lime)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 cup whole buttermilk (or half and half, as I used)
Directions
Step 1: To begin, make your ranch dressing. Combine all the ingredients in a glass jar or bowl and whisk or shake until everything is mixed up. Set aside.
Step 2: Next, start mixing the greens and other salad ingredients. I used kale and spinach, but you could also use romaine lettuce, field greens, or any different combination of greens that you love!
Be sure to give it a good toss so that they are all evenly coated with dressing.
Step 3: Add the cooked chicken, quinoa, sweet corn, and buttermilk ranch dressing to the salad bowl and thoroughly mix everything until everything is coated in sauce.
Step 4: Serve immediately or chill for about 30 minutes before serving. If you are cooling it for later, stir in some buttermilk or half and a half to thin out the ranch dressing as it tends to thicken up a bit when chilled.
Nutrition Facts Of Chile Lime Ranch Salad With Chicken
| Nutrition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4g |
| Calories | 107.41 |
| Sugar | 1.83 |
| Fat | 5.94 |
| Carbs | 7g |
| Fiber | 3.2g |
| Cholesterol | 31mg |
| Calcium | 19.7mg |
| Iron | 0.44mg |
8 Amazing Health Benefits of Chile Lime Ranch Salad With Chicken
1. Helps You Feel Full
It would help if you ate enough protein while trying to lose weight or lower your cholesterol. You will not feel full if you don’t have proper amounts of protein in your diet.
2. Helps You Burn Fat
People have been known to lose fat and burn more calories when they consume protein than any other type of food. This is because proteins are converted into energy and burned by the body for fuel.
3. Can Lower Your Blood Pressure
If you have high blood pressure and want to lower it, consider eating more foods high in protein content. They will help reduce your blood pressure by strengthening your heart and arteries.
4. Reduces Your Risk for Heart Disease
Protein is extremely good for your heart because it helps thin the blood and reduces the overall cholesterol levels in your body. This, in turn, can help to lower your risk of heart disease by quite a bit!
5. Helps You Develop Strong Bones
Low-calorie diets are very unhealthful and can lead to loss of calcium, which is necessary for strong bones. Protein can help repair and build strong bones, so it might be a good idea to add some to your diet.
6. Helps Prevent Muscle Loss
Protein is the only thing that can build muscle. If you don’t consume enough protein in your diet, your muscles will start to deteriorate and eventually atrophy. That means you might lose muscle mass, which is bad news for strength and bone health.
7. Boosts Your Immune System
Since protein is responsible for repairing body tissues, it also helps boost your immune system in a very efficient way. This can help you fight off the common cold and flu that everyone gets sometimes.
8. Aids in Healthy Digestion
Protein is more than just a source of energy for your body – it also helps to aid in healthy digestion. This can prevent constipation, bloating, and flatulence from occurring regularly.
What Does Chile Lime Ranch Salad With Chicken Tastes Like?
As expected from this salad, it was very refreshing and spicy. I like the combination of corn and quinoa in a salad, and it has become one of my favorite combinations. I hope you’ll give this a try because I’m sure you’ll love it as much as we did!
Is Chile Lime Ranch Salad With Chicken Gluten-Free?
The ingredients are gluten-free, but if you want to make it gluten-free, you’ll need to swap the quinoa with gluten-free quinoa.
Can I Freeze Chile Lime Ranch Salad With Chicken?
Absolutely! I do it all the time. Let it run in the fridge for a few hours and then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container. You can use frozen chicken in any recipe that calls for cooked chicken.
Is Chile Lime Ranch Salad With Chicken Keto-Friendly?
Yes, you can easily make this keto-friendly by substituting quinoa with cauliflower rice, sweet corn with avocado, and egg-free mayonnaise.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this recipe for Chile Lime Ranch Salad With Chicken, and you’ll give it a try soon! Let me know if you have any questions or comments below. Hope you have an amazing day!
