How do I store leftovers?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay good for up to 4 days if stored properly.

Can I make the salad ahead of time?

Yes! I recommend preparing each ingredient separately and then assembling the salad right before you're ready to serve it.

Does this recipe really taste like Chick-Fil A's spicy southwest salad?

I think it does! In fact, I think it might be a bit better because of the fresh ingredients and customizable nature of this recipe. If you don't believe me, check out the 5 star rating down below!

What are the best salad dressings for this?

The most popular dressing Chick-fil A serves it with is creamy salsa, but an avocado lime ranch dressing , chili lime vinaigrette, or regular buttermilk ranch dressing would all be wonderful.

Spicy Southwest Salad: Chick-fil A Copycat

Easy Spicy Southwest Salad

a salad with southwest ingredients in a white bowl topped with green dressing

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 1 review

This spicy southwest salad is a homemade version of the classic Chick fil a recipe. It's got romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, grape tomatoes, a zesty combination of poblano chiles and crispy red bell peppers, all topped off with cheddar cheese and crunchy pepitas.

Author: Nicole Radcliffe
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 Servings 1x
Category: Dinner
Method: Chopped
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 Large head of Romaine Lettuce- chopped
1/3 cup diced Red Bell Pepper
1/3 cup diced Poblano Chile
1/2 cup Halved Grape Tomatoes
1/2 cup Rinsed Black Beans
1/2 cup Corn Kernels
1 pound Grilled Chicken
2 Tablespoons Pepitas
3/4 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (blend sharp and mild for best flavor)
Tortilla Chips- for topping

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Instructions

Chop up your lettuce, dice both the bell peppers and poblano peppers, and halve the grape tomatoes
On a large serving platter, lay down a bed of lettuce, then top it with the rinsed black beans, both diced peppers, grape tomatoes, and corn kernels
Slice the grilled chicken and shred your cheddar cheese(s)
Finish the salad off with the sliced chicken, pepitas, and cheddar cheeses
Use salad tongs to serve, drizzle over your favorite dressing, and enjoy!

Notes

Calories calculated are an estimate and don't include dressing
Use a salad mix to save time
This recipe works with any kind of chicken- baked, grilled, rotisserie, leftovers
Add or remove any vegetables based on your taste
See post for how to grill chicken and roast pepitas
Make up to 2 days in advance by prepping ingredients and assembling it the day of
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days
Switch out the chicken for shrimp, steak, or tofu

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories: 370

Keywords: chick-fil a copycat salad, spicy southwest salad, spicy grilled chicken salad

Find it online: https://www.coleinthekitchen.com/easy-spicy-southwest-salad/