This Mexican Chopped Salad is packed with fresh, crunchy vegetables and finished with a spicy-sweet chipotle balsamic dressing you will want to spoon straight from the jar.
A good chopped salad should be colorful, crisp, satisfying, and easy to throw together. This Mexican Chopped Salad checks every box. It is loaded with romaine lettuce, juicy tomatoes, cool cucumbers, sweet corn, green onion, cilantro, shredded chicken, and creamy avocado. Every bite has a mix of freshness, crunch, and bold flavor, making it a simple meal that feels anything but boring.
The real standout, though, is the Spicy Sweet Chipotle Balsamic Dressing. It is smoky from the adobo sauce, tangy from balsamic vinegar, rich from extra-virgin olive oil, and gently sweetened to balance the heat. The result is a dressing that tastes bright, bold, and just a little addictive. It clings beautifully to the chopped vegetables and brings the whole salad together without making it feel heavy.
This Mexican chopped salad is also wonderfully flexible. The ingredient amounts are meant to be a helpful guide, not a strict rule. If you love avocado, add more. If you want extra crunch, increase the cucumber or romaine. If you have leftover rotisserie chicken in the refrigerator, this is a perfect way to use it. You can also leave out any ingredient you do not have on hand and still end up with a fresh, flavorful salad.
The dressing came together from a simple combination of pantry ingredients. Olive oil and balsamic vinegar create the base, while adobo sauce from canned chipotle peppers adds smoky depth and mild heat. A small amount of honey rounds out the sharpness of the vinegar and softens the spice. If you prefer a hotter dressing, add a little more adobo sauce. If you like it milder, start with less and adjust after tasting.
For the best flavor, mix the dressing ahead of time and let it sit for about 30 minutes if your schedule allows. This short resting time helps the flavors blend, giving the dressing a smoother, more balanced taste. If you are in a hurry, you can use it right away and still have a delicious salad on the table in about 10 minutes.
Because everything is chopped into bite-size pieces, this salad is easy to serve and even easier to eat. It works well as a light main dish, especially with the shredded chicken for protein, but it can also be served as a side salad with your favorite Mexican-inspired meal. The combination of fresh vegetables, creamy avocado, and smoky dressing makes it satisfying enough for lunch or dinner.
If you are looking for a quick salad recipe that is full of texture and flavor, this Mexican Chopped Salad with Spicy Sweet Chipotle Balsamic Dressing is a great one to keep in your regular rotation. It is fresh, fast, customizable, and perfect for warm days when you want something hearty but still light and vibrant.
Mexican Chopped Salad with Spicy Sweet Chipotle Balsamic Dressing
2 servings
10 minutes
10 minutes
The salad ingredient amounts are suggestions, so feel free to adjust them to suit your taste. Add more of your favorite vegetables, leave out anything you do not enjoy, or increase the adobo sauce if you want a spicier chipotle balsamic dressing.
Ingredients
For the salad
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup diced cucumbers
- ½ cup fresh corn, cut from the cob; no cooking needed
- ¼ cup chopped green onion
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- 2 cups shredded chicken, such as rotisserie chicken
- 1 avocado, sliced
For the dressing
- ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons adobo sauce, from a can of chipotle peppers
- 2 teaspoons honey
Instructions
- Place all salad ingredients in a large bowl. In a separate bowl or jar, whisk or shake together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, adobo sauce, and honey. Let the dressing sit for 30 minutes if you have time, then toss the salad with the dressing just before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 1243
Total Fat: 107g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 86g
Cholesterol: 101mg
Sodium: 204mg
Carbohydrates: 37g
Fiber: 12g
Sugar: 17g
Protein: 40g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.