Southwestern Chicken Salad

cookingintherockies

8 years ago

Not your average chicken salad…Southwestern Chicken Salad is packed with tons of flavor and summer veges! So delish!

Truth be known, I am Heather and I am a chicken salad junkie. This week like many, I needed to make something that I could literally eat all week. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, whatever. It needed to be quick and easy. I decided to change my normal chicken salad up a bit so I added some southwest spices, a bunch of Cholula for great flavor with just a little added heat, tons of veges and just a tiny amount of mayo. Southwestern Chicken Salad, is now my favorite chicken salad. It’s so over the top yummy (and pretty darn healthy) that it may be your new favorite too! I also made another batch for our after tennis picnic with the ladies. The eight of us polished off the whole bowl of it! We served it tortilla chips instead of making sandwiches which turned out to be a great accompaniment. It was kinda like chips and (chicken salad) dip! Just an idea for a way to serve it up! Enjoy it!

So yesterday, I had one of my top five experiences in my lifetime. I was lucky enough and so grateful to be included in the Boss Airlift program. What is a Boss Airlift, you may ask? Well, this program is provided by the Colorado National Guard and sponsored by ESGR (Employer Support of The Guard And Reserve). ESGR’s vision is to “foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States“. I learned so much yesterday and the importance of our National Guard and Reserve. Not only in terms of National Security but in how they serve our communities on so many levels. Our businesses are such an integral part of supporting our patriotic service man and women continue to serve our country and our local community. When they say it “takes a village”, it really does. A big shout out to businesses who recognize and embrace this, hiring military personal knowing that they are essential to the strength of our Nation and the community. I was very humbled yesterday being in the presence of our military men and women. This was a first time for me being on a military base and learning what they do and the roles that they play was awe inspiring. Each person plays a specific role that serves the greater purpose. I have always been a supporter of our military but now knowing what I do, my admiration and gratitude has grown deeper. As we remember 9/11 today make a point to think about our military members and their courage, sacrifices and love of country to keep us all safe.

Along with knowledge that we gained yesterday… The Colorado National Guard provided us with an experience of a lifetime! Check out my pictures below. I mentioned top five experience… Riding shot gun in the cock pit of a Chinook helicopter made that list. I’m still pinching myself that I was lucky enough to take part in something like this. Enjoy the pictures. It was a perfect late summer Colorado day!

Southwestern Chicken Salad

Recipe Type: Main Course

Cuisine: Southwestern

Author: Heather Blake

Nothing beats a good chicken salad! This Southwestern Chicken Salad may just become your new favorite!

Ingredients

4 cups cooked chicken (I used about 2 rotisserie chickens)
1 red pepper, diced
2 cups corn (I used two ears of corn, cooked and kernels removed)
1/2 cup red onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup celery, diced
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1/2 cup pumkin seeds (or substitute toasted almond slices)
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup Cholula hot sauce

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except for the pumpkin seeds (or almonds) and combine well.
Before serving stir in the pumpkin seeds or almonds. Top with fresh cilantro.

Notes

This recipe can be made the day before and stored in the refrigerator. Add the seeds or the nuts just before serving so that stay crunchy.

3.5.3226