Savory Chick-Fil-A Creamy Salsa Dressing and Southwest Salad
Experience the zing with our Chick-fil-A Creamy Salsa Dressing recipe! Uncover the perfect blend of creamy goodness and spicy kick in every bite. Elevate your salads to a whole new level with this homemade dressing sensation.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
Creamy Salsa Dressing:
- 1 cup full-fat sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 jalapeño peppers, seeds removed and chopped
- Juice of 2 limes
- 1/4 cup medium salsa
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Chicken Marinade:
- 1/2 cup chosen marinade
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon oil (of your choice)
Southwest Salad:
- 2 cups fresh spring mix
- Handful of colorful grape tomatoes
- Bunch of cilantro leaves
- Pinch of salt
- Dash of ancho chili powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup salad add-ins (e.g., crunchy corn, shredded cheese, black beans)
Instructions
Creamy Salsa Dressing:
- In a bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, and buttermilk until smooth.
- Add cilantro, jalapeño peppers, lime juice, salsa, hot sauce, cumin, garlic powder, sea salt, cayenne pepper, ancho chili powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Mix well.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.
Chicken Marinade:
- Combine marinade, salt, black pepper, and oil in a bowl.
- Toss chicken in 2 tablespoons of the marinade.
- Cook chicken on medium heat until fully cooked, ensuring each piece is well-coated with the marinade.
Southwest Salad:
- In a large bowl, combine spring mix, grape tomatoes, cilantro leaves, salt, ancho chili powder, garlic powder, sour cream, and salad add-ins.
- Toss until well mixed.
Assembling the Salad:
- Lay down a bed of spring mix on a plate.
- Arrange vibrant bell peppers and juicy grape tomatoes on top.
- Add the cooked chicken.
- Drizzle with the prepared creamy salsa dressing.
- Toss the salad to coat everything in the dressing.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your Chick-Fil-A-inspired Spicy Southwest Salad!
Notes
- Balance the dressing - aim for a taste that is not too tangy or too spicy, but just right.
- Measure dressing ingredients cautiously; adjust to taste.
- For a healthier option, swap sour cream with Greek yogurt.
- Season chicken well for a flavorful experience.
- Add texture with crunchy tortilla and chili-lime pepitas to achieve the desired crunch.