Cinco de Mayo Chicken Fajita Salad

Cinco de Mayo Chicken Fajita Salad

As Cinco de Mayo celebrations abound in my area, I was inspired to create this simple yet festive fajita salad. Let your family’s imaginations run wild by offering a selection of creative toppings.View more fun and yummy Cinco de Mayo goodies HERE.

Yield: about 4 servings
Author: Linda Shapiro, © Meal Planning Maven

Ingredients

Marinade

  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder or favorite chili powder
  • Cayenne as desired
  • 1 green onion sliced
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch strips
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 red bell pepper cut into strips
  • 1 green bell pepper cut into strips
  • 1 large onion sliced, cut into strips
  • 8 ounces mushrooms sliced
  • 1 head butter or romaine lettuce separated into leaves

Toppings Bar (choose as many as desired)

  • Pico de gallo
  • Guacamole
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Plain yogurt
  • Sliced green onions
  • Chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
  • Lime wedges

Instructions

Marinade:

  • In a large bowl, whisk together all ingredients. Add chicken strips.
  • Cover; refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Chicken may be marinated up to one day ahead.

Fajita Mixture:

  • Coat a large skillet with the 2 teaspoons olive oil and heat over medium-high setting.
  • Sauté peppers, onions and mushrooms for about 10 minutes or until softened and nicely browned. Remove vegetables to a bowl; cover with a towel to keep warm.
  • In the same skillet, add chicken strips. Sauté chicken for 2 to 3 minutes per side or until cooked through, with no pink remaining.
  • Return veggies to pan, stirring to combine. Sauté for an additional minute, just until heated through.

Assembly:

  • Arrange lettuce leaves on plates. Top each plate with fajita mixture.
  • Offer choice of toppings in bowls. Drizzle salad with additional lime juice if desired.
  • Delicious tossed with Taco Ranch Dressing and Mango or Peach Salsa.

Notes

Make Ahead and Storage Tips: chicken may be marinated up 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Fajita mixture may be cooked up to 2 days prior to serving. Salad may be assembled earlier in the day. Store covered in the refrigerator.
Go salsa crazy! Consider offering either Mango Salsa or Peach Salsa along with your salad toppings for a nice "kick."
Other fun and yummy Cinco de Mayo dishes for your party: Turkey Tacos with Mango Salsa, Crockpot Mexican Jumping Bean Chili and Crockpot Chicken Fajita Soup.

 

32 Responses

  1. Kecia
    Wonderful salad Linda!<br /><br />Thanks so much Kecia!
  2. Katerina Delidimou
    I love, love Mexican and this salad is right up my alley!<br /><br />Thanks Katerina! You and I LOVE our Mexican food, that's for sure!
  3. Here's a salad I know my husband and I will LOVE!!!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Enjoy enjoy Nancy!
  4. Oh, how I wish I lived next door to YOU! I am absolutely taken with this fajita salad; wonderful job!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Awww thanks Dan! You know one day, we will cook together!
  5. Gorgeous! I could quite happily tuck into this any day of the year! :)
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thank you so very much Elizabeth!
  6. What a gorgeous salad. Brilliant idea combining fajitas with salad.
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thanks so very much Cindy! It's a great way to combine our love for fajitas healthfully!
  7. dishofdailylife
    This is my kind of salad! Yum!! Can't wait to try it Linda!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thank you! I hope you have the chance to try it soon Michelle.
  8. This is so inspiring! I just want to jump right into that picture an eat at your house tonight! We LOVE this kind of meal. Thanks so much for linking up with us at #Purebloglove link party Linda. We love having you link up with us! I want Cinco De Mayo Cicken Fajita Salad for dinner tonight! Sharing everywhere!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Diane, you have absolutely made my day with your kind comments! It was my pleasure to share this dish at your #purebloglove link party and thank you so much for your generous shares!
  9. Looks so bright, colorful and delicious.
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thank you Patty!
  10. What a delicious looking dish that am sure no one can resist! Love the olives here!!! I can eat a lot of this salad!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thank you so much Abby!
  11. This looks absolutely delicious Linda and wish I could try every plate!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thanks bunches Joanne!
  12. Gorgeous!!! Just loving everything about this salad!!!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thank you so much Angela! How pretty our salads would look together at a Cinco de Mayo party!
  13. Lovely salad! Perfect for a packed lunch too!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thank you so much Helen! I so appreciate you stopping by to visit!
  14. This salad is absolutely gorgeous! I love the toppings bar! How fun!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thank you Nicole!
  15. This is a wonderful and healthy salad. Perfect for a Cinco de Mayo dish as well :-)
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thanks bunches Sandi!
  16. This is my kind of salad, Linda! I love how colourful, fresh and flavourful it is!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thank you so much April!
  17. This is so delicious Linda. I just might have the energy today to put together your easy and delicious Chicken Fajita salad.
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Awww thank you my sweet friend! I hope you have the chance to make my salad and that you get your energy back soon!