Now that daylight savings has come and gone it means, among other things, we can look forward to warmer temperatures and lighter meals. What comes to mind immediately? Salad. Salads can be a great side to compliment any meal or the main attraction when given a little more attention.
To keep things light and exciting, we’re putting a fresh spin on salad with our South Western inspired Ranch Chicken Salad. The colors just explode off the plate and the flavors will do the same with the first bite. It’s true, we do eat with our eyes first.
Since my family absolutely loves ranch, we’ve upped the ranch ante by using not one but TWO Hidden Valley® Ranch products: Hidden Valley Salad Dressing and Seasoning Mix and Original Ranch dressing.
This South Western inspired Ranch Chicken Salad is the perfect salad for busy summer nights or a quick lunch. This salad comes together in roughly 10 minutes from start to finish.
Chicken tenders get a sprinkling of seasoning and then are grilled to perfection. Seasonal salad (feel free to use your favorite salad blend) is given a light coating of ranch dressing and then into the mix goes: corn, black beans, cilantro, chives, and tomatoes. Then your masterpiece is topped with the grilled chicken. Now just sit back and wait for the oohs and ahhhs.
If you wanted to spice things up add a little pureed jalapeno to the ranch dressing before mixing it in will kick up the volume.
Southwestern Inspired Ranch Chicken Salad
Serves: 4-6
Product: Hidden Valley Ranch® Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix and Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® dressing
If you can’t find chicken tenders, you can buy boneless, skinless breasts and cut them into strips instead.
INGREDIENTS:
14 ounces chicken tenders
4 tablespoons Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
5½ ounces 50/50 blend baby spring mix and baby spinach
4 tablespoons Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing
7 ounces kernel corn, drained
7 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
¼ cup thinly sliced scallions
2 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh cilantro
6 cherry tomatoes, quartered
INSTRUCTIONS:
Sprinkle chicken tenders with Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing & seasoning mix on both sides.
Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Add oil. When oil is hot but not smoking, add chicken tenders. Cook for approximately 2-3 minutes each side until browned and cooked through. Remove from pan. Set aside.
Place salad mix in a large bowl and add Hidden Valley Original Ranch dressing. Toss to evenly coat. Add corn, beans, scallions, cilantro and tomatoes. Toss again to combine.
Top with chicken tenders and serve immediately.
