Weather: rain after several days of pure sunshine
What I’m listening to: Olympics – Women’s Gymnastics
Confession: I’m having trouble writing this blog post because I am captivated by the Olympics. I hope you’re watching right along with me and that you’ll understand.
While you’re busy watching the Olympics, I suggest to you one vibrant and healthy grilled chicken salad adapted from Iowa Girl Eats. It’s a spicy thing of beauty. I made this yummy Chipotle-Mango Barbecue Sauce and slathered the grilled chicken in it. Then, I took that sauce and paired it with cooling Greek yogurt and acidic lime to make the dressing.
And we can’t forget the other delicious goodies in this salad – fresh, sweet corn, creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, and bright cilantro all atop crisp green lettuce. The combination of flavors hits all the right notes for me. Love at first bite.
Chipotle-Mango Barbecue Chicken Salad
Adapted from [Iowa Girl Eats|http://iowagirleats.com/2012/05/08/chipotle-mango-bbq-chicken-salad-aka-the-end-of-boring-chicken-2/]
Yields: 4 servings
- For the Chipotle-Mango Barbecue Sauce:
- 1 ripe mango, chopped
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, chopped
- 1/2c ketchup
- 1/2c apple juice
- 1/3c onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- Juice of half a lemon
- 2T rice wine vinegar
- 2T brown sugar
- 1T canola oil
- 2t paprika
- 1t salt
- 1t pepper
- For the Dressing:
- 1/4c Chipotle-Mango Barbecue Sauce
- 1/4c Greek yogurt
- Juice of half a lime
- salt and pepper to taste
- For the Salad:
- 3 chicken breast halves, grilled in Mango-Chipotle Barbecue Sauce, rested and sliced
- 1 head green leaf lettuce or romaine
- 2 ears sweet corn, kernels cut off
- 2 medium tomatoes, cut into eighths
- 2 avocados, sliced
- 1/2c cilantro, chopped
- 3 green onions, sliced
!For the BBQ Sauce:
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Bring up to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 15-20 minutes.
Allow sauce to cool then process in a food processor or blender until smooth. Store covered in refrigerator until ready to use.
!For the Dressing:
In a small bowl, combine all dressing ingredients and whisk together. Drizzle over salad.
!For the Salad:
Layer the salad beginning with lettuce, then cilantro and green onion, then corn, tomatoes, and avocados. Top with sliced chicken breasts and drizzle with dressing. Serve.
