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Fiesta Chicken Salad

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An updated healthy and hearty chicken salad recipe inspired by fiesta flavors!

Fiesta Chicken Salad [Fit Mitten Kitchen]

Alright summer, time to slow down! How is it that three months have passed already since we were in the VIRGIN ISLANDS? It feels like it was just yesterday…

St. John US Virgin Islands

*angels singing*

Alright, I won’t torture you with another photo of gorgeous St. John (that picture doesn’t even compare to the real thing!)… But I WILL share with you some food inspiration that happened on our travels back. Some food inspiration happened there, OBVI (working on that recipe for a future post). But this particular recipe happened at the airport… strange, I know.

So my husband and I had a layover in Ft. Lauderdale. We were STARVING. So I grabbed him the traditional Cuban steak sandwich, and myself the chicken salad wrap. We were in such a hurry to get on our next flight I barely even paid any attention to what was in the wrap, which is very unlike me. I am such an inspector– i.e. the husband HATES grocery shopping with me because I am constantly checking out ingredient labels. Not to mention it was airport food so you don’t truly know what you’re going to get. However, when I opened up the wrap I will say I was pleasantly surprised. I found black beans, and corn, and chickpeas of all things! Was not expecting all those things wrapped up into a lovely mix of “cuban” chicken salad. Mind you, the chicken salad base was probably mostly mayo, which I am not a huge fan of. But again, I was HUNGRY. Hangry, the husband would probably say. And we were in the airport, which = little to no options for a hangry girl looking for healthy options.

But as I was eating this chicken salad wrap, I said: Ya know, this isn’t actually half bad. I think I need to recreate this! And so here we are: An updated healthy and hearty fiesta hicken salad recipe inspired by some Mexican flavors! Who would have thought airport food could be so inspiring? 😉

Fiesta Chicken Salad [Fit Mitten Kitchen]

What I did to health-ify the airport version was use a mix of plain greek yogurt, and organic mayonnaise (I still wanted the authenticity of traditional chicken salad), and added in some taco seasoning spices with lime juice and cilantro. I left out the corn and chickpeas because while I was eating the wrap, they got to be a little much for my liking, but feel free to add them in if you like the extra texture. This salad is super great for meal prep on the weekends. You can use it throughout the week for lunch, or have it for dinner when you’re not up for cooking. Hearty and healthy!

Fiesta Chicken Salad Mix [Fit MItten Kitchen]
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Fiesta Chicken Salad

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★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews
  • Author: Ashley
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 25 mins
  • Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
  • Category: Salad

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs cooked chicken breast, pulled (about 4 cups)
  • 1 13.5 oz canned black beans, drained & rinsed
  • 1 13.5 oz red kidney beans, drained & rinsed
  • 1/2 medium red onion, diced (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (I used nonfat)
  • 1/2 cup organic mayonnaise (I used Woodstock)
  • 1 tablespoon homemade taco seasoning
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, add pulled chicken, black beans, kidney beans and red onion. Mix together.
  2. Add in Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, taco seasoning and lime juice and mix until well combined.
  3. Fold in your chopped cilantro.
  4. Serve in your choice of bread, or on top of salad.
  5. Store in airtight container in fridge for up to 5 days fresh.

Notes

-This fiesta chicken salad is perfect for pita pockets, ciabatta buns, or wraps. Its also a great addition topped on salad greens if you’re watching your carb intake.
For any of you looking for a meatless option, try subbing taco seasoned baked tempeh!

*I’ve found the quickest and easiest way to get perfectly cooked chicken breast for shredding is boiling the chicken breast in water for about 10-12 minutes. Check for any pinkness in the middle after 8 minutes, and continue boiling for 2 minute increments until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
*additional add-ins could be to your liking, such as: jalapenos, bell peppers, shredded cheese, or avocado if serving immediately.
* I like mine best with homemade guacamole!
*Nutrition count is based on 10 servings, without addition of bread option.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/8th
  • Calories: 398
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 417mg
  • Fat: 14g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 12g
  • Protein: 33g
  • Cholesterol: 60mg

So, I’ve got to ask… anyone else’s SO’s dislike grocery shopping with them? Or is mine the only one? 😉

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About Ashley

"Ashley Walterhouse is the founder of Fit Mitten Kitchen, based in the Greater Lansing Area of Michigan, AKA “the Mitten.” Ashley grew up as a picky eater but later discovered that eating healthy was actually easy and fun. She started FMK in 2015 as a way to share her newfound love of developing healthier recipes for all to enjoy."

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    • Ashley says

      I don’t eat chicken salad often either, Annmarie! But this is something I could see myself adding to the weekly rotation of food prep. 🙂

      Reply

    • Ashley says

      Plain chicken breast can totally get boring. And this is really customizable with whatever add-ins you like. Thanks, Megan! 🙂

      Reply

  4. Lauren | Just a Pinch says

    Trying to find healthy options at the airport is maddening! (Except for the Minneapolis airport which has tons!) Love the idea of using greek yogurt instead of mayo. We had to make homemade mayo for my food science class a few weeks ago and I don’t think I can even eat it again….(well, maybe if I’m hangry 🙂 )

    Reply

    • Ashley says

      Ya know, I am not a huge fan of mayo AT ALL. I don’t put it on my sandwiches, or care for your traditional potato salad because of the mayo. BUT, I found that with mixing Greek yogurt, you don’t really taste it. I’m sure you could even sub all Greek yogurt in this recipe if you’re a true mayo-hater 😉

      Reply

    • Ashley says

      Oh you’ll love them! Well, as long as you love yogurt, then you certainly will! Once you try it, I don’t think you’ll go back to the regular stuff 😉

      Reply

  8. Doreen says

    Ok my SO doesn’t care for grocery shopping either, and you know who he is lol. This recipe sounds wonderful thank you.

    Reply