Spicy Fiesta Salad

It's a real testament to the power of great ingredients that a salad as simple as this one—with just a handful of fresh and flavorful elements—can end up being so addictive. The tender shredded chicken, creamy avocado, crunchy red onion, and fragrant cilantro are natural partners, and the spicy jalapeño, sweet corn, and earthy black beans add just the right amount of extra oomph. A drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of lime juice finish it off, making this salad perfect for a light lunch, a simple dinner, or even a party appetizer.

This Spicy Fiesta Salad was born out of a desire for a quick and easy meal that was also packed with flavor. I had some leftover rotisserie chicken in the fridge, and I wanted to do something with it that was more exciting than just throwing it on a sandwich. So I started experimenting with different ingredients, and this salad was the result. It's quickly become one of my go-to recipes, and I've even started making it for parties because it's always a hit.

Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 0 | Serves: 2

Ingredients

• 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken
• 1/2 cup chopped avocado
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup chopped jalapeño
• 1/4 cup chopped black beans
• 1/4 cup chopped corn
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Toss to coat.
3. Serve immediately or chill for later.

Why It Works

• The combination of fresh and flavorful ingredients creates a salad that is both satisfying and refreshing.
• The spicy jalapeño adds a nice kick of heat, while the sweet corn and earthy black beans add a touch of sweetness and depth of flavor.
• The lime juice and olive oil dressing is light and flavorful, and it helps to bring all the ingredients together.
• This salad is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. For example, you can add more jalapeño if you like it spicy, or you can omit the black beans if you don't like them.